Big rise in cost of holiday child care

Parents are facing an enormous hike in the cost of holiday child care this summer.

Fees have soared by a third in some parts of the capital.

The Daycare Trust found the average weekly cost of a holiday play scheme in outer London was now £77.48 - or £465 for the whole six-week break.

The inner-London price has risen by 32 per cent in a year, from £48.24 in 2003 to £70.83 this summer.

The average weekly cost in the South-East was ?79.52. But one place was charging £220 a week - or £1,300 for the entire summer - the highest fees in the country.

Two-thirds of the 113 council children's information services questioned by the trust said parents reported a lack of quality affordable child care for the summer holidays in their areas.

There was particular concern about the availability of places for children aged 11 and above.

The capital has borne the brunt of the price increase.

Beth Reid of the Daycare Trust said: "The rise in London is quite substantial. For a lot of parents it's a huge struggle to be able to afford the costs, and they want to know their children are safe and happy during the holidays. It's a huge headache."

Much greater investment in childcare is needed, along with better information for parents on the provision of tax credits, she added.