Childcare costs have risen by 5 per cent in the past 12 months, against the 3.1 per cent inflation rate.
The average cost of a nursery place in inner London for a child over two has risen by 15 per cent, with typical costs ranging from £173 to £226 a week. Parents can now expect to pay an average of £8,684 a year for a child under two.
However, costs have remained stable and even decreased in other areas in England.
A shortage of childcare for under-fives was reported by 27 per cent of local authorities' family information services.
According to the Trust, factors that are having a knock-on effect on fees are the rising cost of premises as local authorities put up their rents and high utility bills that have forced up overheads for early years settings.
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