The summer holidays are seen as a time to relax and unwind, but for single father Daniel, it means having to pay high childcare fees that he cannot afford. He has taken time off work to look after his three-year-old son, but now faces a daily nursery fee of £55, which is more than he earns in a day. This has led him to take out a loan to cover some of the costs, adding to his financial worries.
Research from childcare charity Coram shows that parents are spending over £1,000 per child on average for summer holiday care, a 6% increase from last year. The average cost of a place at a holiday club is now around £175 per week, making it 2.5 times more expensive than an after-school club during term time.
Daniel, who works at Asda part-time, is concerned about the impact of childcare costs on his job and benefits. He cycles for an hour to get to work and is anxious about explaining his situation to his work coach. He is also worried about losing his job, as it would mean losing his benefits too. Despite being told he could claim back some childcare costs through universal credit, the process is not straightforward due to his work schedule and lack of support from his manager.
Fortunately, Daniel has found some help from a social prescribing support service called Dudley Integrated Plus, which has provided him with bus tickets and other assistance. This has allowed him to take his son to the park and maintain his work routine. Without this support, the situation would have been even more challenging for him.
Antoinette, another parent, has been able to secure a council-funded place for her daughter at a holiday club, enabling her to continue working as a freelance family support worker. However, she still faces challenges in balancing work and childcare, especially with her son who has special needs. The cost of childcare, including additional expenses for trips and meals, adds up quickly, putting a strain on her finances.
Gemma, a foster carer, has had to make adjustments to her work schedule to accommodate her niece during the summer holidays. While she was offered a place at a council holiday club, the location and timing were not suitable for her niece, who struggles with attachment issues. Opting for a more expensive but familiar holiday club has allowed Gemma to balance work and caregiving responsibilities, although it requires early mornings and condensed work hours.
The stories of these parents highlight the challenges faced by many families during the summer holidays when it comes to balancing work and childcare. The rising costs of childcare, lack of affordable options, and the impact on employment and benefits are common concerns. Organizations like Kinship and fundraising platforms like Beam are working to support parents in need, but more needs to be done at a policy level to address these issues.
In response to these challenges, the Department for Education emphasizes the importance of providing affordable and accessible childcare for all children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Asda also highlights the support and benefits available to its employees to help them navigate challenges outside of work. By addressing these issues at both individual and systemic levels, we can work towards creating a more supportive environment for parents balancing work and childcare during the summer holidays.
