Just 27% of local authorities in England have enough holiday childcare for full-time parents this year, finds poll

July 2022

Just 27% of local authorities in England have enough holiday childcare for full-time parents this year: A survey by Coram Family and Childcare has found that just over a quarter (27%) of local authorities in England have enough holiday childcare for full-time working parents in their area this year.

The Holiday Childcare Survey also found that the level of holiday childcare available to parents is down by 6% on the amount available in 2021.

The situation for families with disabled children was particularly poor with just 7% of local authorities being able to meet demand – a fall from 16% last year.

Also revealed by the survey was that just 10% of local authorities have enough childcare for children whose parents work atypical hours, while just 15% have provision available for families living in rural areas of England.

Looking at the rising cost of holiday childcare, the research found that since 2021 it has risen by 5%. The cost of childcare for primary school age children over the six-week summer break was found to cost an average of almost £900 for parents.

In England, the cost has risen by 4% to £148.09 per week, while in Wales it is up by 8% to £147.21 and in Scotland, up 7% to £142.68 (although Coram adds as a side note that the response rate in Scotland was poor for this question).

In inner London, the average cost for parents was £161 per week, compared with £135 in the West Midlands.

The survey results reveal that the cost of childcare during the summer holiday far exceeds the cost during the equivalent time period during term time – by £500. This leaves many parents with no option but to take unpaid leave to look after their family.

Ellen Broome, the managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said: “Holiday childcare is key economic infrastructure. The lack of childcare places for working parents is a serious problem – not just for families but for the country’s economic output. Many parents, particularly mothers, will have no choice but to be locked out of work altogether or struggle to pay for basic necessities such as food or rent.”