CHILDCARE costs in Scotland are heaping pressure on families and forcing more parents to ask grandparents to make up for gaps in provision, a new report claims.

It points to a wide variation in levels of provision and cost between council areas, with care in the most expensive local authorities costing 80% more than in the least expensive.

The average cost of nursery care for a child under the age of two is more than £100 a week, while the average cost of childcare for those aged over five in Scotland is £50 a week.

However, parents in some areas are having to pay significantly more, with the highest fees reported to be £235 a week for a child up to the age of two ­receiving 25 hours of care.

The report states: "Our survey shows parents in Scotland are facing a childcare lottery in terms of both cost and accessibility.

"Parents in some areas are able to find affordable childcare, but in many places they are not."

The Scottish Childcare Report 2013, produced by the Family and Childcare Trust (Fact) in partnership with Children in Scotland, found the cost of day nurseries and childminding has stabilised over the past year, after a period when it rose much faster than inflation. But the cost of after-school clubs continues to rise.

It also found many councils are not aware if there is enough childcare in their areas or where the gaps are, and too few intervene to ensure adequate provision, according to the report.

Councils were open about ­problems in their regions, in return for remaining anonymous.

Researchers looked at day ­nurseries, breakfast and after-school clubs, childminders and holiday childcare and found shortages in all areas.

Overall, there are only 19.7 places per 100 children in Scotland, fewer than in any area of England apart from the north-east.

However Fact – formerly the Daycare Trust – says some gaps are particularly significant. Only 21% of councils said they had enough childcare for working parents and only 25% had enough childcare for 5-11 year olds.

Meanwhile, childcare for ­disabled children is also in short supply in many areas.

While costs for nursery care and childminding are slightly lower than in England, the cost of after-school clubs is higher, and rose 3.9% last year.

The report says under-provision is forcing a higher proportion of Scottish families to rely on grandparents to provide childcare.

Just over half of families (51%) had used this form of childcare during the last six months, compared to 32% across Britain.

Speaking about the findings of the report, Children in Scotland Policy Officer Jim Stephen said: "Childcare costs for young children have largely stabilised, but the cost of out of school care appears to have increased.

"This is accompanied by adverse economic pressures facing families, such as wage stagnation, higher living costs and changes to welfare and benefits."

The report stresses the ­importance of high quality childcare, including the provision of nutritious food, and says good childcare cannot be cheap. However, it says it has to be made affordable, especially for parents encouraged to return to work.

Mr Stephen added: "We have evidence some local authorities lack detailed knowledge of supply, demand and gaps in services in their areas, though it should be seen as a step forward that local authorities are being honest about where the gaps lie.

"As well as tackling shortcomings, a priority for the debate in Scotland must be how to reduce costs and increase access and flexibility, whilst ensuring quality remains uncompromised."

Anand Shukla, chief executive of the Family and Childcare Trust, said: "Legislation should be introduced to ensure there is an obligation on councils to assess childcare provision, enabling them to intervene in the childcare market place and helping create a stronger economy by bringing down barriers to employment."