Summer holidays have begun and so has the panic for parents. Finding way to keep the kids entertained is always a summer struggle for parents and this year with rising costs it’s even more difficult.

It’s not a surprise that parents dread the summer holidays as childcare costs rise by 6% this year.

 

The cost of Childcare

Research by the children’s charity, Coram found that the average price of 6 weeks of childcare now costs over £1000.

The South-east of England are paying around £216 a week and those in Wales paying ££209 a week which is a 15% increase from the previous year.

Childcare programmes are having to turn people away due to being full and understaffed.

Only a handful of councils reported having enough holiday childcare for disabled children and children of parents who work full-time.

 

How to spend the 6 week summer?

If you are paying these high prices for childcare then you may be searching for free activities when you can spend time with your kids this summer. There are lots of options for this so you can keep costs down. Find free activities here.

You could be eligible for free childcare.

If your child is 3-4 years old then you are entitled to 38 hours of free childcare a week.

If your child is 9 months to 2 years old you could be eligible for 15 hours of childcare.

This is a government scheme so go on the Gov website to check if you could receive this and if your childcare provider can offer this.