Nursery World - Rebekah Jackson Reece: Reduction in holiday childcare places, it's a Catch 22!

Responding to latest findings from Coram Family and Childcare, the director of the Out-of-School Alliance (OOSA) said the lack of available childcare is a Catch 22, with providers saying there is insufficent demand and reducing or closing capacity, leading to fewer places for parents who need it.

Many changes to working practices implemented during Covid have affected the demand for school-aged childcare; parents became experts in balancing the dual needs of their children and their working life in ways like never before and this has continued to impact take up of school-aged childcare places.

Flexible working patterns mean parents can work at home and entertain their child in short bursts. Whilst this may not be ideal for parent or child, where budgets are tight, it is a workable solution.

This slow recovery from Covid has led to a catch-22 situation. Providers are telling us there is insufficient demand and they are having to reduce or close their capacity leading to lower availability for parents who need holiday childcare.

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