Cost of childcare more than doubles over summer holidays, charity finds
A place at a holiday club now costs an average of ÂŁ157 per week in Scotland
A children's foundation is calling on the UK Government to increase funding for childcare after finding that Scottish families are struggling to afford it.
Research from children's charity, Coram, found the cost of childcare during the summer holidays has gone up.
The research, based on surveys from local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales between April and June, found that the cost of holiday childcare has risen 3% since 2022.
A place at a holiday club now costs an average of ÂŁ157 per week - 2.3 times higher than the cost of an after-school club during term time, the charity said.
In Scotland, there has also been a drop in the proportion of local authorities reporting sufficient childcare - down 15% for 12 to 14 year olds, down 14% for children living in rural areas, down 12% for parents working full time and down 11% for eight to 11 year olds.
No local authorities in Scotland reported having enough holiday childcare in all areas for disabled children, working parents, parents working atypical hours or children in rural areas.
Calls to include support during school holidays
The charity is calling on the UK Government to extend childcare funding announced in the Spring Statement to include support during school holidays.
Megan Jarvie, from Coram, said: "The high of cost of holiday childcare is going to put a further strain on families' already stretched budgets.
"Even if families are able to afford these costs, many will struggle to find a place as we have found shortages right across the country.
"Starting school doesn't mean that childcare needs end. Instead, many find that it becomes more challenging to find options that are right for their family, particularly during the long school holidays.
"New Government funding to help improve childcare options during term time is welcome - but families need childcare right through the year."
Plans backed by ÂŁ200 million per year
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, backed by ÂŁ200 million per year to 2025, provides healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families over the holidays.
"We are also investing ÂŁ30 million to test new and innovative approaches to short respite breaks for families of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities."