RISING costs and the 'confusing mess' of the childcare system means Bolton parents are missing out on the help they need.

Bolton Council leader Linda Thomas has warned that having seven different types of childcare support has created a mystifying situation for families.

A new report also revealed this week that the North West average price for a part-time nursery place for a child under two is £102 per week, though Bolton Council chiefs say the borough's average is £87.

And although a rollout of a new 30-hour free childcare entitlement in England has offered more support for parents, Cllr Thomas has warned that many still feel 'locked out'.

The council leader, who ran a nursery before going into politics, said: “We have a high take up of the free entitlements in Bolton.

"We work closely with local providers and many of them are mindful of affordability for parents and they are providing a very flexible and high quality offer for families, but there is no doubt things need to change.

"The current system does mean lower income families are at risk of being worse off working more hours, which isn’t right.

“The government needs to listen to parents.

"I’m being told about the current confusing mess of childcare support schemes which is leaving many parents locked out of getting the support they need and while others are completely ruled out if they undertake training.

"We need a simple and responsive childcare system that gives a fair deal for parents and nursery owners.”

Family and Childcare Trust Childcare Survey found that the highest prices for childcare are for the youngest children between the end of paid parental leave and the child turning three – and that’s when the least financial support is available to parents.

Parents with children under three on lower incomes will not be receiving additional support this year through tax free childcare and so are likely to see their childcare costs rise.

The Trust also found that one in five people felt that the rollout of the 30-hour scheme was having a negative impact on the financial sustainability of childcare providers.

Last year, nursery owners and childminders campaigned for more support from Bolton Council amid fears that the cost of the free childcare entitlement could force them to close.

Jane Morrissey of Rosehill Nursery, who has been a vocal campaigner for fairer funding for nurseries, said: “Take away that strapline that says ‘free’. That’s not what we want. We want funded childcare and we want every parent and every nursery owner to be sustainable. Take away the ‘free’ and let us run our businesses as we see fit.”