William Eichler 19 July 2024

Summer childcare costs exceed £1,000

Summer childcare costs exceed £1,000 image
Image: Sam72 / Shutterstock.com.

Families will be paying an average of £1,049 for summer childcare for children aged between four and 14, a new survey has revealed.

This is more than double the cost of six weeks of after-school care during the school term, according to the charity Coram.

Many areas have seen significant price increases in summer childcare, notably in Wales which has seen a 15% rise in costs over the last year (£209 per week), and Yorkshire and the Humber where costs have risen by 13% (£174 per week).

There is also wide variation in holiday childcare costs across the regions, with the lowest costs reported in inner London (£153 per week) and the highest seen in the South East, which at £216 per week, are 23% higher than the average in Britain.

Ellen Broome´, managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said: ‘Too many families dread onset of the summer holidays. Rather than a time for families to rest, play and have fun together, many parents worry about how to pay for holiday childcare during the long summer break. And with ever growing shortages of available childcare, finding a place will be a challenge this summer, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

‘The new Government has a real opportunity to change the experience of school-aged children and families during the school breaks. Full reform will take time, but meeting the needs of disadvantaged children and those with SEND should be an early priority, followed by reform of the system to provide the year-round support that families need.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner