Working parents relying on childminders for childcare during the British school summer holidays are facing high costs, according to new research. The children’s charity Coram discovered that families in inner London can expect to pay an average of £306 weekly for a holiday childminder, while the British average is £234 per week. In Wales and Scotland, the costs are slightly higher at £249 and £238 per week, respectively. As a result, families will have to spend approximately £1,400 to cover the six-week break.
This is the first time the survey, now in its 20th year, has included childminder costs during the holidays. It also reveals that the cost of holiday childcare clubs in England, Wales, and Scotland has risen by 4% in the last year, with parents now facing an average bill of £179 per child per week. This is more than two and a half times the cost of term-time after-school clubs. Many councils also struggle with shortages of places, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Coram is urging the government to provide more funding, training, and support to holiday childcare providers to meet the needs of these children. The Local Government Association’s children and young people board recognizes the importance of sufficient provision for children with special educational needs but faces challenges in providing the necessary support. The government acknowledges the pressures faced by parents during the holidays and is implementing measures such as expanding free school meals, introducing free breakfast clubs, and providing funded early education to alleviate these pressures.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/17/childminder-costs-uk-school-summer-holidays-research
