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 childcare is £179. This means that families face an average bill of £1,076 per child for six weeks of summer holiday childcare, marking a 4% increase compared to the previous year. In contrast, the cost for six weeks of after-school club during term time is just £399.
The report, conducted by the Coram Family and Childcare charity, highlights a growing concern among local authorities in England, Scotland, and Wales regarding the availability of holiday childcare places. The data was collected through surveys of these local authorities, revealing regional disparities in pricing and access.
Wales currently holds the highest weekly price at £210, followed by England at £178 and Scotland at £168. Within England, there is a notable variation in costs, with the South East averaging £196 per week and the North West at £162 per week. Additionally, the report indicates that the average cost of a childminder during the holidays is £234 per week across the UK. In Inner London, this figure rises to £306 per week, while in the South West, it is £191 per week.
Challenges for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
One of the most pressing issues identified in the report is the lack of adequate 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. This number drops to 0% in three regions: the East Midlands, the East of England, and Inner London.
Coram Family and Childcare is urging the government to provide more funding, training, and support to holiday childcare providers to better serve children with SEND. The charity also emphasizes the importance of maintaining 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 care during school holidays.
Government Initiatives and Ongoing Concerns
The expansion of funded childcare, introduced by the Conservative government, began being rolled out in England 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 expand this to 30 hours per week for all eligible families in September.
The report acknowledges the positive developments in childcare policy, such as the increased recognition of its role in enabling parental workplace participation. It also highlights the expansion of early years education, support for wraparound childcare before and after school, and the introduction of free breakfast clubs. However, it points out that the situation outside of school term time remains problematic.
The Need for Continued Attention
Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, stressed that the need for childcare does not end when the school term concludes. She emphasized that holiday childcare not only supports parents in working but also provides children with opportunities to have fun, make friends, and stay active during school breaks. Yet, she noted that holiday childcare is often overlooked in broader discussions about childcare.
While the increase in government-funded early education has helped reduce childcare costs for working parents of under-fives in England, the rising costs of holiday childcare for school-age children pose a challenge. This could lead to a situation where parents find it unsustainable to work once their children start school.
Arooj Shah, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) children and young people board, acknowledged the importance of sufficient provision for children with SEND. He highlighted the difficulties councils face in ensuring the right provisions are available, particularly given the current challenges faced by providers. He added that without investment and recruitment of quality staff, delivering effective holiday childcare will remain difficult.
