Working parents to pay up to £170 a week for childcare during summer holidays
PARENTS in the East of England are shelling out 20 per cent more - up to £170 per week - for childcare costs during summer holidays than those in some part of the UK.
According to the Family and Childcare Trust’s annual survey, many families are facing a ";postcode lottery" when it comes to childcare costs.
It looked at childcare holiday schemes which are run by local authorities, schools and private providers to calculate an average.
Prices for holiday childcare can vary significantly both within and between local areas.
That's because the majority of providers are private businesses who are able to set their own prices to parents according to local market conditions.
It found that in England, mums and dads pay £134.66 a week, while in Scotland and Wales it's around £10 cheaper at £124.44 and £124.85 respectively.
Parents can expect to hand over almost £170 for full-time holiday care in the East of England - the most expensive English region.
This is around 35 per cent higher than some other areas, including Inner London, where average weekly prices are £125.01 and the West Midlands at £125.90.
Overall, parents in Britain now pay an average of £133 per week for full time holiday childcare - four per cent more compared to last year.
Mums and dad across the UK pay more than twice as much during the holidays as they do during term time, according to the survey.
That's because parents who use holiday childcare are likely to use after school clubs during school terms - but there is a significant gap between the prices of after school clubs and holiday childcare.
What are the different options for summer childcare?
Kids might enjoy a full six weeks off school, but the same can't be said for working parents.. Here are the most common options
- Formal holiday childcare provided by the local authority or a private provider.
Local councils often run play schemes for older children during the summer holidays at places such as libraries and leisure centres.
Check with your local council for the options available in your area. - Summer camps with activities such as football or drama – these typically do not run for the whole holiday but may cover a few weeks.
They allow kids to stay at a camp with other kids and carry out a range of activities such as horse riding, dance, drama or outdoor pursuits.However, depending on which one you chose they can cost as much as £500 a week.Visit who offer free impartial advice on choosing a summer camp both in the UK and abroad.
Informal care- from grandparents, other relatives or friends. This can also be the most affordable option for parents, but not all can rely on this, especially if relatives are older or not in the best of health.
- Holiday nanny - If you can't rely on family members, you could hire a holiday nanny. The website has hints and tips on how you can find a reputable child carer.
Free hours are provided by the government for working parents of three and four-year-olds but these to not extend to older children.
A further breakdown of the data showed holiday clubs in the private, voluntary and independent sector are on average 22 per cent more expensive than those run by local authorities.
However, only 13 per cent of holiday provision is run by local authorities, and the proportion varies in different local areas – meaning many parents cannot access this cheaper provision.
What help is available for parents?
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
- 30 hours free childcare - Parents of 3 and 4 year olds have been able to apply for 30 hours free childcare a week since the summer with its introduction in September.
To qualify you must work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. - Tax credits - For children under 16, some working families can get up to £122.50 a week depending on their income to help with childcare costs.
- Childcare vouchers - If your employer offers childcare vouchers you can get up to £933 a yeaar in tax and national insurance savings.
You pay for your childcare before your tax contributions are taken out.
This will remain open to new joiners until April 2018, when it is planned tax-free childcare will replace the vouchers. - Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.
Go to for more information and to apply.
Ellen Broomé, chief executive at the Family and Childcare Trust, said: “Now is the time to urgently address childcare policy for school age children.
"For too many families, the long summer holiday is a time of stress and expense as they try to patch together a solution despite the gaps in availability and financial support.
Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "This government is doing more than any before to support parents with the cost of childcare.
"We are investing record amounts - around £6 billion a year by 2020 - to make sure as many children as possible have access to high-quality care.
More about childcare
The cost of childcare has risen up to seven times faster than wages since 2008, according to a recent study by TUC.
It found that the average costs for parents in England with a one-year-old rocketed by 48 per cent, with average wages rising by just 12 per cent.
CASHBACK TO SCHOOL How to claim up to £1,200 a year for school clothing, books and other equipment – find out if you qualify
If you're a parent worried about the cost of paying for your kids to be looked after while you work - here's everything you need to know about the childcare vouchers scheme which is available to most mums and dads.
Free school dinners are also available to thousands of school kids. Here's the lowdown on universal free school meals, and how to apply on behalf of your littles ones.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.