High quality childcare is often expensive, according to researchers

Pre-school arrangements for big city-dwellers, regardless of affluence, involve careful scheduling and are easily disrupted, said researchers.

Professor Linda McDowell, who led the study, said ways of making care more accessible need to be devised.

The study was conducted for the Economic and Social Research Council.

Researchers examined the way in which parents shared the childcare load, as well as their working habits - particularly where shift work was involved.

We need to think about the ways in which different forms of care might be made more compatible and accessible Professor Linda McDowell Childcare around the world

They found that jobs have become increasingly insecure and working hours are less regular than in the past.

Focussing on young families in London and Manchester, the study found that men are getting more involved in domestic matters but women are still responsible for most tasks.

Mothers tend to arrange the transportation of children between schools, play areas and workplaces - often forcing them to cover large distances over short periods of time.

And single parents were less likely to be in waged work in London due to the high cost of childcare.

'Expensive' care

Professor McDowell, who led the study at University College, London, said: "We need to think about the ways in which different forms of care might be made more compatible and accessible, whether in terms of hours of provision, costs, or location in a neighbourhood.

"For many of those we interviewed, cost as well as quality is a key issue.

"High quality care is expensive, especially in London, and there are implications in this not only for individual parents but for those who offer a service."

The ESRC sponsored University College London to conduct the research.

The study involved interviews with between 20 and 25 subjects in each of six locations from across London and Manchester.