The charity is calling for more funding to subsidise childcare duringthe summer and says that that some areas have shortages of holidayplaces.
It also highlights that parents who receive tax credits are eligible forhelp over the summer through the childcare element of the Working TaxCredit.
The survey found that the average weekly cost for a full-time place from8am to 6pm at a holiday playscheme in England is 83.19. Theequivalent costs for Scotland and Wales are 76.35 and 83.44 respectively. Parents in the south-west face the highest costs, atan average of 97 per week.
The Trust points to signs of improvement in the capital, with costs forholiday childcare in inner London well below the national average at63.37. In Westminster, working parents pay just 4 a day,or 2 if they do not work. In outer London costs fell to 83.48 for a typical place, down from 90.28 last year.
The Trust asked 200 UK Children's Information Services for the typicalcosts of a full-time holiday playscheme and received 136 replies.
Emma Knights, joint chief executive of Daycare Trust, said the surveyshowed what local authorities could do to reduce costs. 'We want alllocal authorities to follow the brilliant example being set by some ofthe most generous, and recognise that providing safe, stimulating placesfor children and teenagers to enjoy themselves in the summer holidays isa necessity, not a luxury.'
