Families paying for holiday clubs this summer are now facing a bill of £1,045 for six weeks of care for one child – a 6% increase.
A survey of UK councils, carried out by charity Coram Family and Childcare, also found that there is a shortage of places, particularly affecting children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Healthcare providers say they are trying to keep costs down as they face staff shortages.
The government says it is supporting families.
‘Low-paid job’
In Birmingham, Claire Johnson, owner of Harborne School Out, is expecting a busy summer: her club has been fully booked for months.
“With the people I turned down, I could run a whole new club, but I don’t have enough staff and I don’t have a big enough location,” she says.
During school hours, Mrs. Johnson organizes an after-school club, as the clubs at three primary schools in the area are completely full.
And when she has to raise prices, it’s a “really big decision” – including this year, when the cost for a full day, from 7.30am to 5.30pm, went from £35 to £38.
“It’s already a poorly paid job for staff, so it’s a real passion for everyone working in the sector,” says Ms Johnson.
When collecting the children, John and Katriona Virgo said the holiday and after-school club at Harborne was “fantastic”, especially on election day when the school was converted into a polling station and a last-minute holiday club was organised.
Their summer is filled with clubs, annual leave and grandparents who are happy to help – “with a bit of persuasion”.
Coram found that the average cost for a child in a full-time holiday club for six weeks in the UK is now a record £1,045.
The data shows that prices have increased compared to last year:
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5% in England
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4% in Scotland
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15% in Wales
“Too many families are dreading the start of the summer holidays,” says Ellen Broomé, director of Coram Family and Childcare.
“Finding a place this summer will be a challenge, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities.”
Event manager and public speaking coach Dani Wallace, who has three children, describes the summer holidays as “organised chaos”.
Holiday clubs are unaffordable. “It’s just not feasible if there are three of them,” says Mrs Wallace.
None of the clubs cater for her eldest son’s extra needs, who in the past found them “loud and quite intimidating”.
And she has to rely on the help of her family.
“It’s been a real struggle over the last few years to find what works for us,” says Ms. Wallace.
For attorney and positive psychology coach Emma Stirk, holiday clubs are a lifeline.
But this year, prices in Yorkshire, where she lives, have risen by 13% – the biggest jump in England.
In the summer, her whiteboard comes out and Mrs Stirk fills in the days she has off, the days her husband is on leave and the days her two children go to clubs.
“Some clubs cost between £30, £40, £50 – multiplied by two – and then you’ve got lunch and transport to and from the clubs,” she says.
“Also, the clubs we used were open from 9am to 3pm, so by the time you get them somewhere, you haven’t had a full day’s work yet.”
It has been a difficult few years for the sector due to the pandemic, with many after-school clubs closing their doors.
‘Financial struggle’
According to the Out of School Alliance, which represents providers, the picture is mixed across the country.
“We’re hearing that availability is dropping, but I have providers talking to us about how their demand is so low that they still haven’t recovered from Covid,” said CEO Rebekah Jackson Reece.
“They are really struggling financially with rising rents, lack of staff and schools becoming more interested in running their own facilities as their budgets become tight.”
There needs to be more understanding of the needs of parents and this needs to be aligned with existing provisions, said Ms Reece.
The Welsh Government said it would provide 30 hours of subsidised childcare for three and four-year-olds of eligible parents, up to 48 weeks a year.
“During the summer holidays we will be funding the Playworks programme, which provides high-quality play, and the Food and Fun programme will be available in every community,” an official said.
The Scottish Government has announced it will invest £16 million in six councils to understand the demands placed on local year-round childcare systems.
“A further £4 million has been invested in the Extra Time Programme, a joint initiative with the Scottish Football Association, to provide up to 3,000 free places a week at before- and after-school clubs and holiday clubs for children from low-income families,” an official added.
According to the UK Department for Education, local authorities are expected to offer the equivalent of six weeks of a Holiday Activities and Food Programme, providing meals, activities and free childcare to children from low-income families.
“Too often, childcare is unavailable or unaffordable, especially for disadvantaged children or those with additional needs. We are committed to restoring opportunity for every child,” an official said.
Weekly childcare costs during the summer holidays
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England: £173.14 – up 5%
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Wales: £208.82 – up 15%
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Scotland: £167.49 – 4% increase
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Yorkshire and the Humber: £173.32 – up 13%
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Inner London: £152.56 – up 8%
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South East: £215.68 – up 3%
Source: Coram Holiday Childcare Survey
