Families face a 9 per cent rise in the costs of holiday childcare this year, according to a new survey published by national childcare charity, Daycare Trust.

The typical weekly cost of a place for a child in a summer play scheme is £73.71 a week (up from £67.70 a week in 2003), the trust said.

The highest cost of a summer play scheme identified in the survey is £200 a week, or £1200 for the six-week summer holiday period. Some parents pay additional costs for trips out and visits.

Two-thirds of the Children’s Information Services surveyed said that parents reported a lack of quality affordable childcare for the summer holidays in their area. Many schemes do not run for the full six weeks of the holiday.

Lack of provision for children aged 11 and over was highlighted as a particular problem.

Stephen Burke, Director of Daycare Trust, said: “The long holiday in the summer is a particular headache to many working parents who need to find quality care for their children. Access to quality affordable childcare during the holidays still depends on where families live and how much they earn.”

“Many families struggle to be able to find appropriate summer holiday childcare which they can afford. We need to make sure that quality childcare services are available to all children and families during school holidays, and that parents are able to access adequate help with the costs through the tax credits system.”

“Quality childcare during the school holidays helps parents, provides stimulating and enjoyable activities for children and strengthens communities.”