Families face record-high childcare costs this summer as activity camps raise prices and some providers close, according to a leading charity. The cost of holiday childcare is expected to reach its highest level ever, driven by rising utility bills, food prices and national insurance contributions.
Ellen Broomé, managing director of Coram Family and Childcare, said many providers are struggling to survive. 'Quite a lot of providers didn't make it through the pandemic. They were already operating at the margins, and the cost pressures were just too much,' she explained. The charity will release its annual survey on Tuesday, highlighting reduced availability of places alongside higher prices.
In Hertfordshire, Chloe Sweden will spend £350 a week to send her two children to a summer camp for five and a half hours a day – £100 more than last year. Unable to afford more than one week, she will keep them at home while working. 'It's extortionate,' she said, adding that she dreads balancing work and childcare and feels guilty about her children spending summer on screens.
Some parents, particularly single parents, may end up paying just to go to work, said Broomé. Others rely on family and friends. The combination of rising costs and fewer providers is making this a particularly challenging summer for families across the country.
