Rising childcare costs during summer holidays leave working parents paying £1,145 per child

Arranging childcare for six weeks of school holidays is now costing working parents up to £1,145 per child in Britain, new research has revealed.

Coram Family and Childcare’s annual survey shows that the cost of holiday childcare is rising above inflation at 5% across Britain.

Parents are footing an average bill of £191 per child per week for holiday clubs and childminders.

Emily Marshall, groups manager at single-parent charity Gingerbread, has taken unpaid time off work to avoid using holiday clubs.

“I’m a single parent of a primary school-aged child and childcare is a constant juggling challenge during the school holidays,” she told Big Issue. “Like many parents, I have one annual leave allowance but need to cover six weeks of summer holidays, alongside all the other school breaks throughout the year. The cost of holiday clubs can be significant and the hours don’t always fit around a full working day.”

Fortunately, her employer allows her to take time off work in a “flexible and supportive way” to spend time with her seven-year-old son instead of relying on paid childcare.

“Having that option has been invaluable. It means I can spend quality time with my son over the summer holidays without the constant worry of trying to make childcare arrangements work or the financial pressure that comes with them.

“I wish this was a more common situation for all parents, particularly for those of us who are single parents.”

According to Coram’s survey, the exact amount parents are paying out differs by region. Prices in Wales have gone up by twice as much as the national average, with the cost of care averaging £224 a week, or a total of £1,342over the six-week summer break.

Holiday club prices are up by 16% in inner London and 12% in the North East. Only one region has seen the cost of holiday clubs go down: Yorkshire and the Humber, by a measly 1%.

Read more:

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• What does the government’s cost of living boost mean for family budgets this summer?

Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: “All nations have some level of free childcare for pre-school children but the need for childcare doesn’t stop when children reach school age, or when the school gates close for the summer. In fact, it only increases.

“Holiday childcare is essential for parents to take and stay in work but, for too many families, the six-week break brings a sharp increase in childcare costs.”

But the cost isn’t the only issue. Most local councils themselves do not know whether there are sufficient childcare options available in their area, Coram’s report shows.

Where the information was known, only 9% of English councils reported having enough holiday care for three-quarters of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Hodges said: “Children need the fun, secure activities and opportunities that holiday childcare can provide while school is out. If we want children away from social media, off their phones – they need something positive to do.

“The problem is not going to go away. Most parents need to work during the school holidays at some point, and not all will have support from other family members. 

“If we are to ease the annual summer stress for families, there must be an acknowledgement that childcare is a year-round requirement, and action taken to ensure holiday childcare does not remain the poor cousin of early years childcare.”

In response to the report, councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said: “We know how important affordable holiday childcare provision is for parents and carers, and councils recognise there is a shortage of options, especially for children with SEND.

“We need an adequately resourced workforce with the skills, training and experience to support children with SEND, and locations that are suitable for providing enriching activities during the school holidays.

“Extending the holiday activities and food programme has been key in supporting vulnerable children. However, we are concerned some eligible children are missing out and urge government to ensure the programme works for every eligible family.

“Councils also want to work more closely with providers and Ofsted so they have sufficient information regarding availability and quality of provision.”

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