Childcare costs ‘on the rise’

Parents may be risking incurring debt problems by sending their children to nursery, as research has revealed that childcare costs are climbing.

According to the report published by the Daycare Trust, such fees are increasing faster than inflation, with the amount charged for a place in a nursery for a two-year-old rising 5.1 per cent.

In addition, childminder charges for a youngster of the same age have seen hikes of 9.2 per cent.

And some nurseries that featured in the study charged up to £22,100 a year, which compares to day school fees of £10,296 and boarding costs of £23,244, the Daily Mail reports.

Chief executive of the organisation Alison Garnham said that it is “calling for the maximum proportion of childcare costs the poorest parents can claim through tax credits to be increased from 80 per cent to 100 per cent”.

The Daycare Trust is a registered charity that has been in operation since 1986, concentrating on the affordability of childcare and the provision of information and support to parents.

By Sarah Adie