Holiday care costs rising
Holiday childcare costs are on the rise, the annual survey by the Daycare Trust reveals.
The charity is calling for more funding to subsidise childcare during the summer and says that that some areas have shortages of holiday places.
It also highlights that parents who receive tax credits are eligible for help over the summer through the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
The survey found that the average weekly cost for a full-time place from 8am to 6pm at a holiday playscheme in England is £83.19. The equivalent costs for Scotland and Wales are £76.35 and £83.44 respectively. Parents in the south-west face the highest costs, at an average of £97 per week.
The Trust points to signs of improvement in the capital, with costs for holiday childcare in inner London well below the national average at £63.37. In Westminster, working parents pay just £4 a day, or £2 if they do not work. In outer London costs fell to £83.48 for a typical place, down from £90.28 last year.
The Trust asked 200 UK Children's Information Services for the typical costs of a full-time holiday playscheme and received 136 replies.
Emma Knights, joint chief executive of Daycare Trust, said the survey showed what local authorities could do to reduce costs. 'We want all local authorities to follow the brilliant example being set by some of the most generous, and recognise that providing safe, stimulating places for children and teenagers to enjoy themselves in the summer holidays is a necessity, not a luxury.'
