The 2010 Holiday Childcare Costs survey found a postcode lottery and patchwork of childcare availability in Britain. While the average cost of a week's holiday care across Britain had risen by just 3 per cent since last year to £93, the costs varied from £119.32 for private and voluntary sector provision in the East of England region, compared with just £58.89 for local authority-provided schemes in Wales.
The research is based on data provided by 132 Family Information Services in England and Wales and Childcare Information Services in Scotland.
Sixty-three per cent of Family Information Services had received reports from parents about a lack of holiday childcare, compared with 46 per cent from last year. In the south-east, 88 per cent of Family Information Services had received reports of a shortage, compared with just 29 per cent in Scotland.
The survey recommends that holiday playschemes be protected from local authority cuts, that central Government should provide more investment to ensure holiday childcare is more flexible and affordable, and that the Government increase the proportion of childcare costs paid through tax credits to 100 per cent.
Alison Garnham, chief executive of Daycare Trust, said, 'We are hugely concerned by the gaping hole in the provision of childcare across the country. The situation continues to get worse with the impact of local authority spending cuts, which we see are already attacking holiday childcare provision. The recent changes to tax credits mean that many working parents will in future receive less help with childcare costs. This is a seriously bad move and means more help is needed to make childcare more affordable.'
Further information
- For a new resource and information pack for holiday clubs, visit www.outofschoolalliance.co.uk
