'There was a 3-year wait'

Merilyn Bartley started looking for a nursery when she was three months pregnant.

But when she encountered a three-year waiting list it was clear she should have begun the search even before she knew she was pregnant.

"Westminster council sent me a list of nurseries but there were only two in my area that took children from six months - the latest date I could return to work," said the former estate agent from Maida Vale whose son, Louis, is now 16 months.

"One of these had a three-year waiting list and the other said I had to put his name down immediately.

"The fees were £920 a month, which was a big shock but I panicked and paid a deposit.

"I kept looking but only came across one other place. It hadn't even opened and was already over-subscribed. I just couldn't believe the lack of choice."

Childminder costs were also still high.

Ms Bartley, 37, added: "There was no contingency if the childminder was sick or on holiday."

The main breadwinner, half her average pay of £1,800 a month went on nursery fees.

She is now looking for a job in the NHS with one-third the salary but subsidised childcare.