Parents are paying up to £22,100 a year for childcare, a survey has found.

A study by the Daycare Trust, published yesterday, found that average childcare costs for 25 hours per week are £88 in England, which is more than half of gross average part-time earnings of £153 per week.

Parents in London are facing the highest reported costs, paying up to £11,000 per year for 25 hours childcare per week, or £22,100 for 50 hours.

The survey findings show that there has been a rise in costs above the rate of inflation for all types of childcare, despite the recession.

In England the cost of a nursery place for children aged two and over has risen by 5.1% - almost double the rate of inflation.

Average yearly expenditure on childcare is £4,576 for English parents, £4,368 for Scottish parents and £4,056 for Welsh parents for 25 hours of nursery care per week, for a child under two.

The typical cost of a place for a child in a local authority-run summer play scheme is £82.98 per week in England, £63.06 in Wales and £94.37 per week in Scotland.

Childcare vouchers Q&A

Should the current childcare voucher scheme be extended to cover home support for elderly and disabled relatives? Vist XpertHR for a host of FAQs related to childcare vouchers.

Childcare vouchers Q & A

Should the current childcare voucher scheme be extended to cover home support for elderly and disabled relatives? Vist XpertHR for a host of FAQs related to childcare vouchers.