With summer holidays upon us, working parents across the UK, unable to get time off, will be looking for childcare options for the coming weeks.

But with the cost of childcare on the rise, six weeks of summer care could see parents fork out around £1000 per child according to a recent survey by the Coram Family and Childcare charity.

The research, based on surveys from local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales between April and June 2023, found that the cost of holiday childcare has risen 3% since 2022.

How much will summer holiday childcare cost in 2023?

According to the Coram Family and Childcare survey, six weeks of summer childcare for each school-age child could cost almost £1,000.

It said families in the UK face costs of £943 per child for this holiday period, which is £538 more than they would pay for after-school childcare in six weeks of term time.

A place at a holiday club now costs an average of £157 per week – 2.3 times higher than the cost of an after-school club during term time, the charity said.

Wales has the highest weekly price at £168, followed by Scotland at £157 and England at £156.

Costs and availability of holiday childcare varies depending on where families live, the charity said.

Bournemouth Echo: While childcare prices are on the rise, availability is on the decline.While childcare prices are on the rise, availability is on the decline. (Image: PA)

For example, parents in inner London pay up to 25% more than those in the East of England – £177 per week compared to £142.

In the East Midlands, some holiday childcare places cost 104% more than the national average, while others are 58% less.

Holiday childcare availability decreasing

While costs have risen, availability at childcarers has decreased, according to the charity. 

Only 24% of local authorities in England said they had enough holiday childcare for parents working full-time, down 2% from last year.

Provision for eight to 11-year-olds has dropped by 7% on last year, with just 23% of local authorities saying they had enough space for children in this age group.

Availability of holiday childcare for disabled children in England has also continued to fall, Coram said. 

Just 5% of local authorities in England reported they have enough to meet local demand, down from 7% from 2022.

In Scotland, there has also been a drop in the proportion of local authorities reporting sufficient childcare:

  • Down 15% for 12 to 14-year-olds
  • Down 14% for children living in rural areas
  • Down 12% for parents working full time
  • Down 11% for eight to 11-year-olds

While, no local authorities in Scotland reported having enough holiday childcare in all areas (for disabled children, working parents, parents working atypical hours or children in rural areas).

Bank Holidays 2023

Wales also has low levels of sufficient childcare for disabled children (5%) and 12 to 14-year-olds (5%).

Local authorities in Wales report the highest level of holiday childcare in all areas for parents working full time (18%), followed by four to seven-year-olds and eight to 11-year-olds (14%).

High cost of holiday will put "further strain on families" says Coram

Megan Jarvie, from Coram, said: “The high of cost of holiday childcare is going to put a further strain on families’ already stretched budgets.

"Even if families are able to afford these costs, many will struggle to find a place as we have found shortages right across the country.

“Starting school doesn’t mean that childcare needs end. Instead, many find that it becomes more challenging to find options that are right for their family, particularly during the long school holidays."

The charity has called on the Government to extend childcare funding announced in the Spring Statement to include support during school holidays.

Ms Jarvie added: “New Government funding to help improve childcare options during term time is welcome – but families need childcare right through the year.”