The study by advisers Family Investments found that 70% of parents do not know they may be entitled to claim back part of the cost of registered holiday clubs through tax credits.

Of the 25% who know about the scheme only a quarter have actually taken advantage of it.

The remaining five per cent planned to use holiday clubs, but said they would not claim the money back.

Kate Moore, head of savings and investments at Family Investments said: “We were stunned to find that so many parents are not aware of the savings that they could make on holiday clubs, especially as so many struggle to cover childcare over the long summer holidays.

“This information certainly needs to be made more widely accessible so that more parents can make best use of the resources available to them.”

The report also revealed that many parents are forced to make arrangements to take care of their children in the summer holidays.

Nearly one in five adults said that during the holidays they will send their children to a child-minder, while 54% said that they will be relying on friends and family.

For many parents, seeking support from others is unfortunately not an option. Of the adults surveyed, 40% said they will be taking time off work over the school holidays to cover childcare.

The Family Investments research also highlighted that many parents struggle to keep their children entertained over the summer holidays, with 55% saying they feel under pressure to fill the holiday with exciting activities.