Today (17 July) Coram Family and Childcare published its 20th annual Holiday Childcare Survey. This looks at the costs and availability of childcare during the holidays in Great Britain.
On the cost of holiday childcare:
- Holiday childcare club costs have risen 4% in the last year across Great Britain, with the average cost totalling £1,075 for six weeks per child (£179 per week).
- Wales has the highest costs of the four nations at £209.60 per week (up 6%).
- Childminders are reported as being more expensive than holiday club provision at an average of £234 per week (£1,400+ for six weeks) in Great Britain but were more likely to be open for the full day (8 in 10 were open 8am-6pm, Mon-Fri) providing more flexibility for parents.
On childcare availability in England:
- Only 9% of councils in England have enough holiday childcare places for at least 75% of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Three regions (East Midlands, East of England, Inner London) report 0% sufficiency for SEND holiday childcare.
- The lowest availability of childcare during the holidays is for older children, parents working atypical hours and children with SEND
Coram Family and Childcare is calling on the government to improve support for holiday provision by:
- Maintaining the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme after March 2026
- Including school-aged provision within an early years workforce strategy
- Improve funding, training and support around SEND for holiday childcare providers
- Stem the decline of childminders and retain current childminders
Helen Donohoe, Head of Coram PACEY comments:
“While recent policy in England has focussed on funded provision for under-fives, it is clear that many families face significant barriers to balancing home and working life during the holidays, with both availability and affordability of provision remaining major challenges. This is especially true for families of children who have SEND or who require atypical hours of provision – groups that childminders are especially well placed to support. Indeed, the Coram Family and Childcare survey illustrates clearly that it is also childminders that offer the most flexibility and comprehensive coverage in terms of availability across all holiday periods.
“It is therefore urgent that the government takes meaningful action to reverse the decline in Ofsted-registered childminders, ensuring they can continue to play their essential art in supporting families with flexible, high-quality childcare, particularly outside of term time.”
Childminders supporting families
We spoke to Coram PACEY members in England and Wales to find out what kind of support they offer families through the holidays.
Eliri, childminder in Ceredigion County Council (Wales)
“Our main holiday club aims is to provide good quality childcare for siblings of our full timers so they don’t have to be separated over the school holidays. To be able to provide childcare together not only supports the parents in only having one drop off and collection but also allows quality time for the children together who may not get this time if they we’re having to be in separate childcare to their younger siblings. As we also live quite rurally, our second aim is to provide childcare cover to children to attend other childcare arrangements during term time but who require safe, friendly and home like childcare during the school holidays. Our holiday clubs are always full with a waiting list and we always look forward to our holiday clubbers joining us.”
Carol, childminder in Bexley (England)
“I run Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm all year with exception of 1 week in the summer. We go on regular trips ranging from bus journeys to different parks, museum trips, cinema, soft play, swimming, the farm etc. Childcare is per hour so no daily rate. We provide all food throughout the day. I take bookings ahead for days in the holidays and as I have assistants can almost always accommodate families. Some families only attend in school holidays and regularly return each holiday which is lovely as I see the children grow up. I also provide emergency childcare for holidays.
Vikkie, childminder in Oxfordshire (England)
“I offer provision for school aged children up to 12 years old 7.30 – 5.30, in addition to providing for my EYFS children. The children always play harmoniously together and I feel the mix of ages is beneficial to all. I believe in the importance of children having time to play and explore their ideas in a free and nurturing space, which I feel I provide well for the children who attend holiday provision. For the parents, it is a comforting and welcoming environment with a consistent adult which the tell me they find reassuring and, as a childminder, I can offer a level of flexibility that many other types of provision can not.”
Sue, childminder in Cambridgeshire
“My holiday weeks are often busier than my term time weeks with multiple children in attendance, across an age range of 1 year to 11 years.
I offer care from 7am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and additional hours outside these times as required by parents. I often plan a different theme for each week themed around the children’s interests to offer variety, and ensuring my continuous provision meets the outcomes for the EYFS children on their learning journey.
Supporting school transitions, using Coram PACEY’s starting school resources well as my own experience of being a Project Coordinator for a starting School Together and using my knowledge of REA to support early literacy, I create visual timetables with the younger children to give an overview of their new and different routines facing them in September…six weeks is a long time from finishing pre-school to starting reception! . Likewise supporting older children into new year groups by discussion, stories around worries where children can share their thoughts and feelings in a group environment.”