Working parents will have to pay on average £135 per week for childcare this summer holiday following a five per cent rise on last year.
It means the cost for two children over the entire six week break would be over £1,600 – while for three children it would exceed £2,400.
The figures, for families in England, come in an annual survey by the Family and Childcare Trust, which has been campaigning on rising costs.
The data also shows that in Wales costs have risen by four per cent to £125 per week, while in Scotland they have risen by one per cent to £124.
Working parents will have to pay on average £135 per week for childcare this summer holiday following a five per cent rise on last year
The findings, which come as children across the country break up for the six-week holidays, will alarm families already managing over-stretched budgets.
Free hours are provided by the government for working parents of three and four-year-olds but these to not extend to older children.
The report said: ‘For parents and carers, finding childcare during the holidays can be particularly challenging.
‘The price is normally significantly higher than term time childcare, which can throw off carefully managed budgets.
‘There are also substantial gaps in availability, meaning many parents will find it difficult to find childcare that covers their working patterns and suits their children’s needs.
‘Where holiday childcare is unavailable or too expensive, parents are left with few options.
‘Many cannot call on family and friends to provide all the informal childcare they need, and will not have enough annual leave to cover the long break, and some struggle to stay in work.’
A further breakdown shows that the most expensive English region is the East of England, where parents can expect to hand over £169 a week for full-time holiday care.
The figures, for families in England, come in an annual survey by the Family and Childcare Trust, which has been campaigning on rising costs
This is around 35 per cent higher than some other areas, including Inner London, where average weekly prices are £125 and the West Midlands at £126.
Overall, the report notes, holiday childcare costs are nearly two and a half times as much per week as an after-school club.
The report is based on surveys of local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland.
Ellen Broome, chief executive at the Family and Childcare Trust, said: ‘Now is the time to urgently address childcare policy for school age children.
‘For too many families, the long summer holiday is a time of stress and expense as they try to patch together a solution despite the gaps in availability and financial support.’
Justine Roberts, Mumsnet founder, said: ‘Once again, this study is showing that childcare costs are a huge drag on families’ budgets.
‘Childcare is essential infrastructure to support employment, particularly for mothers, and needs to be recognised as such.’
Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi said: ‘This government is doing more than any before to support parents with the cost of childcare.
‘We are investing record amounts – around £6 billion a year by 2020 – to make sure as many children as possible have access to high-quality care.
‘We are also looking at the most effective ways to support parents with wrap-around care for older children, which includes £26 million to kick-start and improve breakfast clubs in at least 1,700 schools and £2 million to fund free enrichment activities and healthy food to disadvantaged children during the summer holidays.’