The average cost for parents in Britain to send a child to summer holiday clubs during the six-week school break has reached £1,076, new data reveals.
According to research conducted by the children’s charity Coram, regional disparities exist, with some areas experiencing price increases of up to 13% compared to the previous year.
The study points to high demand and a scarcity of affordable, council-run activities as primary drivers of the escalating costs.
“It’s the equivalent of a holiday expense, but you’re working and unable to spend time with your child,” laments Chiara Del Vescovo, a concerned parent.
Many families rely on childcare during school holidays, particularly with the increasing prevalence of dual-income households and the decline of extended family proximity.
Chiara, a mother from Manchester, faces this challenge as she and her partner strive to balance their work commitments with the care of their seven-year-old daughter.
“We’re coordinating with her friends to arrange shared days at a holiday club, but it’s both challenging and costly, particularly for full-day attendance,” she explains.
Coram’s research indicates that the average cost for a child to attend full-time holiday clubs for six weeks was £1,045 the previous year.
This year, Wales has witnessed a 6% increase, making it the region with the most expensive holiday clubs, averaging £209.60 per week.
Yorkshire and the Humber experienced the most significant price surge, with a 13% increase this year, reaching £194.41 per week.
Gilly Balfour, who oversees free holiday activities at Z-arts Children’s Centre in Manchester, acknowledges the reasons behind the cost increases for many providers.
“The price of art materials and lunch provisions has risen, and we’re committed to fair wages and maintaining appropriate adult-to-child ratios,” she explains. “These factors contribute to the overall cost.”
Childminders play a vital role in supplementing care, particularly outside of school hours, but data reveals they are, on average, £55 more expensive per week than holiday clubs.
Parents receiving Universal Credit can access childcare assistance, but the benefit is paid in arrears, creating a financial strain for those who must pay for clubs upfront.
The delayed payment, arriving four weeks after the initial expense, poses a challenge for many families.
Rasheeda Anwar, a part-time nurse from Reading, finds summer childcare unaffordable for her two children.
She is utilizing her annual leave to cover as much care as possible and is grateful that her 14-year-old daughter secured a spot in a free camp organized by Sport in Mind.
“They’re enjoying the outdoors, which is beneficial as it reduces their screen time, which is always a concern. I want her to have diverse experiences, and the camp provides fruit and a healthy lunch,” she says.
In England, the Holiday Activities and Food programme funds free care by enabling local authorities to offer holiday clubs to children eligible for free school meals.
However, places on these council-run schemes are often limited, and data indicates that private holiday clubs cost, on average, 21% more than those operated by councils.
Holiday club availability decreases for children over seven, with a significant drop for those over 11.
Options are even more restricted for children of all ages with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with only 9% of local authorities in England reporting sufficient provision for 75% of children with SEND in their area.
The Local Government Association acknowledges the importance of adequate provision for children with SEND but recognizes the challenges in ensuring the right support is available, given the current circumstances faced by many providers.
Lydia Hodges, Head of Coram Family and Childcare, emphasizes that many families lack alternative options.
“It’s essential for parents to work and for children to engage in positive activities during school holidays,” she states.
“Therefore, we must address the true reality of working childcare, which is a year-round concern.”
The Bank of England’s interest rate decisions impact mortgage, loan, and savings rates for a vast number of individuals.
While UK inflation has decreased from peak levels, it remains above the Bank of England’s target of 2%.
The Treasury has announced that banks will provide savers with investment information and that an awareness campaign will be launched.
A group of landowners is challenging the government’s efforts to reform the freehold and leasehold property ownership system.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has put plans to modify Isa rules on hold. This raises questions about the current regulations and their functionality.