Continue reading Childcare is a substantial financial burden for parents and an obstacle to participation as the summer holidays approach the UK are not breaking point→Our latest research reveals that summer holiday clubs now cost an average of £1,076 per child. This rising cost is forcing countless families to reassess their choices. For many working parents, this $8,000 increase would create very real dilemmas that pit their professional obligations against the necessity of affordable childcare.
Rashida Anwar, a full-time nurse from Reading, told us she was upset with how much everything is costing. With two children under the age of 12 to care for, she had explained that summer childcare is just not feasible financially. Instead, she intends to take regular unpaid leave during her children’s six-week school holiday. Anwar’s experience illustrates a trend that is becoming a harsh reality for many families who can no longer afford the soaring costs of holiday clubs.
Chiara Del Vescovo and her partner face similar difficulties as they attempt to juggle work while caring for their seven-year-old daughter. She remarked on the hefty expenses, saying, “It’s the amount you’d spend going on holiday, but you’re working and you don’t get to see your child.” Del Vescovo recognizes the importance of her daughter participating in holiday activities, noting that these clubs provide essential engagement and fresh air instead of screen time.
Gilly Balfour is Project Manager for the JOY free holiday arts activities at Z-arts Children’s Centre in Manchester. She knows all too well why many providers are facing increased costs. She stated, “Art materials have gone up, food for lunches is up, we want to make sure that we’re paying people well and have to get the correct ratios in terms of adults to children.” Balfour acknowledged that the financial demands on parents are substantial: “It’s absolutely vital for parents to take work, to stay in work, and for children to be engaged in something positive during the school holidays.”
This myriad financial pressure is made worse when the families need to pay for holiday clubs in advance. Parents often report being financially strapped waiting for childcare payments for a month. Just as frequently, they fall victim to the burden of receiving benefits in arrears. This change in the law makes it difficult for participants to budget for childcare as they do not receive any money upfront.
In England, the Holiday Activities and Food programme gives targeted support by subsidizing free, holiday care. Sadly, local authorities are funded to support only 75% of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Local Government Association acknowledged this issue, stating, “While councils recognise the importance of ensuring there is sufficient provision available for children with SEND, it can be difficult to ensure the right provision is available.”
Furthermore the average cost of holiday clubs differs widely by region. Yorkshire and the Humber had the largest increase this year at 13%, bringing it to £194.41 per week on average. And in Wales, prices are even steeper. This means the average weekly cost is currently £209.60, a 6% rise since last year. Last year, the average price of six weeks of full-time holiday clubs was £1,045. This data, which you can read more about by Coram Family and Childcare, throws the gulf into sharp relief.
The gap in prices is especially troubling given that these procedures are often more accessible than available alternatives. Private holiday clubs generally cost 21% more than local authority-run ones, resulting in massive oversubscription to council-run schemes. It is a major blow to older children, who are at the great disadvantage of their limited availability. Holiday club provision over the age of seven is limited, dropping off even further for children over the age of eleven.
Lydia Hodges, the chief executive of Coram Family and Childcare, expressed concern about the situation today. It’s no wonder that many families find it difficult to access affordable childcare during the summer months.
Balfour emphasized the broader implications of these issues: “We think it’s vital that we address the true reality of the situation of working childcare and that reality is a year-round one.” As summer approaches, families continue to navigate the complexities of childcare costs, balancing their financial realities against the need for quality care for their children.
