The parent trap: Dealing with childcare. By Louise Druce

It can be hard trying to juggle work and kids, with some parents having to settle for second-rate jobs in order to look after their family but keep the pennies rolling in. Louise Druce asks if firms are doing enough to be more childcare friendly.

The kids may be back at school but balancing childcare responsibilities with work can still be a headache. Some bosses aren't helping tip the scales in favour of parents either by failing to lend enough support.

It all boils down to the company. While many large firms have got a good handle on offering family-friendly policies, others are less willing to invest time and money in schemes they feel may not offer them a decent return on investment.

Often it comes down to misunderstandings about the benefits supported childcare schemes can offer and what exactly is out there.