Families are facing a typical summer holiday club bill of £1,145 per child, a report has found. On average, holiday childcare costs across Britain have risen by 5% in the past year, leaving working parents with an average bill of nearly £191 per child per week. This equates to around £1,145 for a six-week summer holiday, according to research by the Coram Family and Childcare charity.
Costs Significantly Higher Than Term-Time Care
The report highlights that parents and carers pay much more for childcare during the holidays than during term time. In Great Britain, a week at a holiday club costs over 2.7 times more than an after-school club: £191 per week compared to £70. The six weeks of a holiday club cost £726 more on average than six weeks of after-school childcare.
Regional Variations in Price Increases
Wales saw the steepest annual rise, with average prices surging by 10% to nearly £224 per week. Holiday club prices also rose by 16% in inner London and by 12% in the North East. However, Yorkshire and the Humber bucked the trend, with prices falling by 1% typically, the report found.
Childminder Costs Also Rise
A week of holiday childcare with a childminder costs around £251 on average, marking an increase of 7%. The report examines costs before accounting for government support, allowing tracking of changes over time and recognising that families may be eligible for different levels of help.
Survey Methodology and Data
The holiday childcare survey 2026 is based on surveys from local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, returned to Coram Family and Childcare between April and June 2026. Some 199 local authorities returned data. The report looked at costs and availability of childcare for children aged four to 14.
Expert Comment on Affordability and Availability
Lydia Hodges, head of Coram Family and Childcare, said: “Holiday childcare is essential for parents to take and stay in work but, for too many families, the six-week break brings a sharp increase in childcare costs. Cost is only part of the challenge. When we asked councils whether there is enough holiday childcare in their area, the most frequent response was that they do not know. We heard this answer much more frequently than when we asked the same questions about pre-school childcare for our childcare survey this spring.”
Average Weekly Costs by Region
Here are the average costs per week of holiday clubs followed by childminders, according to the research:
- Britain: £190.77, £251.48
- England: £189.71, £250.96
- Scotland: £179.95, £239.56
- Wales: £223.59, £262.48
- East Midlands: £188.18, £219.30
- East of England: £190.66, £271.88
- Inner London: £217.74, £371.82
- Outer London: £190.43, £287.69
- North East: £219.76, £253.16
- North West: £160.14, £215.42
- South East: £226.55, £278.95
- South West: £180.30, £205.58
- West Midlands: £167.85, £250.25
- Yorkshire and the Humber: £189.22, £245.80
