Ninety-two per cent of parents in London believe that employers should be offering more practical support to help meet the demands of work and caring.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents said they work too much.

A third of parents are paying over £500 per month in childcare fees.

Two-thirds would prefer childcare near to where they live or on route to work – only six per cent wanted workplace childcare.

Eighty-six per cent had to take time off in the last year to care for a sick child.

More than a third feel that the only way they can get their work-life balance right is to give up work, change jobs or reduce their working hours.

Campaigning charity PARENTS AT WORK and the City of London Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership carried out an online survey last summer into the childcare arrangements and experiences of parents working in and travelling into London. The results make powerful reading for employers and childcare and transport providers and planners. The report contains the following key recommendations:

Childcare planners should recognise that parents working in London have a preference for childcare near to their homes;

Childcare providers should ask parents how their work-life balance could be helped by changing opening and closing times;

Employers should establish working parents groups to help them understand the needs of their employees;

Transport planners should address the negative effects of transport unreliability and look at flexible ticket options.

PARENTS AT WORK Chief Executive Sarah Jackson said: “We believe that the future development of London requires innovative and practical support to working parents. Many parents have skills that are highly desirable for employers, yet expensive or inaccessible childcare, inflexible working arrangements and poor transport systems combine in driving skilled and qualified people out of the workforce. We hope that the recommendations we have drawn up with the City of London EYDCP will encourage employers and transport and childcare planners and providers to address this.”