Parents quit work to avoid holiday childcare costs
It's as the average cost of summertime childcare reaches ÂŁ1,000
Last updated 22nd Jul 2024
As children enjoy the start of the summer holidays, a new report from Action for Children has found some parents are having to quit work to avoid childcare costs.
During the school summer holidays, the cost of childcare has increased to over ÂŁ1,000 per child on average.
The charity found balancing work and family life was a concern to over half the parents they spoke to, with over a fifth reporting they plan to take time off as unpaid leave.
A further 5% reported they may even have to quit their job to look after their children this summer.
The charity commissioned Savanta to survey 2,000 UK parents and found just under a third of South West parents are concerned their child could experience an “unhealthy holiday” in terms of nutrition and physical health due to a lack of money.
The financial strain and pressure has left nine in ten parents reporting they feel guilty for not being able to afford to do things with their children over the summer.
Robert Wyatt, operational director for Action for Children in the South West, said: "Every year, our frontline workers see the financial and emotional strain the summer holidays can have on families in our region, particularly those on low-incomes.
"With more mouths to feed, clothes to wash and typically less in savings, families with children are especially vulnerable to financial hits like the added costs of the summer holidays.
"Essential support like free school meals may not be available, leisure activity costs rise and parents have to juggle work and childcare.
"With the new government, we have the opportunity to rethink how we support families through tough times.
"With proper investment in public services and in the social safety net, more children will thrive and enjoy the summer holidays, and more parents will be able to take an important break from work.
"We urge policy makers to put children at the forefront of their decision making, and boost family incomes by scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap as well as increasing the child element of Universal Credit by ÂŁ15 a week."
In response a government spokesperson said:
“Too often, childcare is unavailable or unaffordable, particularly for disadvantaged children or those with additional needs.
“Local authorities are expected to offer the equivalent of six weeks of Holiday Activities and Food Programme provision, which provides meals, activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families.
“We are determined to break down barriers to opportunity for every child – that’s why our new cross-government taskforce is wasting no time in developing an ambitious strategy to tackle the child poverty crisis.”