PARENTS are paying on average GBP100 a week for a nanny or GBP72 for a nursery place for their children, according to government research.

High costs and an apparent lack of local childcare places mean many families cannot afford to leave children with carers, the survey of 8000 parents in England found.

Despite government claims to have increased the stock of registered childcare places by 90per cent, four out of 10 parents reported shortages locally.

Half of families relied on grandparents to provide childcare - often for free, the study found.

More parents were turning to formal childcare than in previous years.

But affordability was an issue particularly in high-cost areas like London, said the report, which compiled for the Department for Education by the National Centre for Social Research.

The study said: "Cost of childcare and early years provision was a barrier to its use for some parents, particularly low earning families and lone parents.

"Significant minorities of parents also cited as barriers an inadequate number of formal childcare places in the local area and insufficient services at weekends, evenings and in the school holidays."

The survey found that the highest weekly costs were for nannies or au pairs, at an average of GBP100 a week.

It also found that day nurseries were the second most expensive option at GBP72 a week and that childminders cost parents on average GBP36 a week. The study also said nursery schools cost GBP22.25.

Ministers have set out a 10year childcare strategy which promises to provide "affordable, flexible, high-quality childcare for all parents who need it".