Rising Costs and Shortages in Summer Holiday Childcare
The cost of summer holiday childcare has surged, now exceeding double the price of after-school clubs. According to a recent report, families can expect to pay an average of £179 per week for summer childcare. This means that over the six-week holiday period, the average cost per child is £1,076 – a 4% increase from the previous year. In contrast, six weeks of after-school club during term time costs just £399.
The report, conducted by the Coram Family and Childcare charity, highlights a growing concern among local authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales. It found that many councils are struggling with a shortage of available holiday childcare spots. The survey included responses from various local authorities regarding the availability of summer holiday clubs in their regions.
Regional Variations in Costs
Wales leads the list with the highest weekly price at £210, followed closely by England at £178 and Scotland at £168. Within England, there is significant variation in prices depending on the region. For instance, the South East charges £196 per week, while the North West averages £162 per week.
In addition to structured holiday clubs, the report also examined the cost of childminders during the holidays. On average, a childminder in the UK charges £234 per week. Inner London has the highest rate at £306 per week, whereas the South West sees lower rates at £191 per week.
Challenges for Children with Special Needs
One of the most pressing issues highlighted in the report is the lack of adequate holiday childcare 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. In some regions, such as the East Midlands, the East of England, and Inner London, no local authorities reported sufficient provision.
The Coram Family and Childcare charity is urging the government to provide more funding, training, and support to holiday childcare providers. This includes ensuring the continuation of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme beyond March 2026. The HAF programme supports local authorities in providing childcare, activities, and food for children eligible for free school meals during school holidays.
Government Initiatives and Ongoing Concerns
The expansion of funded childcare, introduced by the Conservative government, began in England in April last year for working parents of two-year-olds. Working parents of children older than nine months can now access 15 hours of funded childcare a week during term time, with a full rollout of 30 hours a week planned for all eligible families in September.
Despite these positive developments, the report notes that the focus on childcare remains largely confined to term time. The need for holiday childcare is often overlooked, creating a gap that parents must navigate each school holiday.
Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, emphasized that the demand for childcare does not end when the school term concludes. She pointed out that holiday childcare provides essential support for working parents and offers children opportunities to socialize, stay active, and have fun during breaks.
Arooj Shah, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) children and young people board, acknowledged the challenges faced by councils in ensuring sufficient provision for children with SEND. He stressed the importance of investment and staff recruitment to improve access to holiday childcare. Without these measures, it will be difficult to meet the needs of vulnerable children.
