Rising Costs and Shortages in Summer Holiday Childcare
The cost of summer holiday childcare has surged significantly, now exceeding double the expenses of after-school clubs. According to a recent report, the average weekly cost for summer holiday childcare stands at £179. This means that families spending on childcare over the six-week summer break face an average bill of £1,076 per child—a 4% increase from the previous year.
In contrast, the cost for six weeks of after-school club during term time is just £399. The disparity highlights the growing financial burden on families during school holidays. The report, conducted by the Coram Family and Childcare charity, surveyed local authorities in England, Scotland, and Wales to gather insights into the availability and cost of summer holiday clubs.
Wales emerges as the most expensive region, with an average weekly cost of £210, followed by England at £178 and Scotland at £168. Within England, there is considerable variation in prices, ranging from £196 per week in the South East to £162 per week in the North West. These regional differences underscore the uneven access to affordable childcare across the UK.
The report also revealed that the average cost of a childminder during the holidays is £234 per week in the UK. Inner London has the highest childminder price at £306 per week, while the South West sees the lowest rate at £191 per week. These figures highlight the financial strain on parents seeking alternative childcare options during the summer months.
Challenges for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
A critical issue identified in the report is the severe shortage of holiday childcare places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In England, only 9% of local authorities reported having enough holiday childcare to meet the needs of at least three-quarters of children with SEND in their area. The situation is even more dire in certain regions, where no local authorities have sufficient provision.
The Coram Family and Childcare charity is urging the government to provide additional funding, training, and support to holiday childcare providers. They emphasize the need to maintain the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme beyond March 2026. This initiative funds local authorities to offer holiday childcare, activities, and food for children eligible for free school meals, ensuring that disadvantaged children have access to essential services during school breaks.
Government Initiatives and Ongoing Concerns
The expansion of funded childcare, introduced by the Conservative government, began in April of last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Currently, working parents of children older than nine months can access 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term time, with plans to roll out 30 hours per week for all eligible families starting in September.
Despite these efforts, the report notes that while there is increasing recognition of the importance of childcare for parental workplace participation, the focus remains largely on term-time provisions. The lack of attention to holiday childcare is described as an “unspoken outlier” in childcare policy, leaving many parents to navigate the challenges of school holidays alone.
Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, emphasized that the need for childcare does not end at the end of the term. She highlighted that holiday childcare provides essential support for working parents while offering children opportunities to socialize, stay active, and enjoy their breaks. However, she warned that the rising costs of holiday childcare for school-age children could create long-term sustainability issues for families.
Calls for Investment and Support
Arooj Shah, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) children and young people board, acknowledged the importance of ensuring sufficient provision for children with SEND. He noted that while councils work closely with providers to improve access, the current challenges faced by childcare providers make it difficult to deliver quality services without investment and staff recruitment.
The report concludes by reiterating the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to holiday childcare. Without clear data on the availability of services in each area, it is difficult to ensure that all children—especially those with special needs—receive the support they require. Addressing this gap is essential to creating a more equitable and sustainable childcare system for all families.
