Parents paying for children to attend holiday clubs this summer are now facing a bill of £1,045 for six weeks’ care for one child, following a 6% rise, according to a survey of councils by charity Coram Family and Childcare. There is also a reported shortage of spaces, especially affecting those with special educational needs, and providers are struggling to keep costs down in the wake of staff shortages. The government has said that it is offering support to families.
A series of price rises have been seen across the UK, with the biggest increase occurring in Wales at 15%, while prices rose by 5% in England and by 4% in Scotland. The survey also indicated a shortage of places, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Some providers are using the pricing increases to deal with staff shortages.
Claire Johnson, the owner of Harborne School’s Out in Birmingham, has been forced to turn people away because of a lack of staff and space. “It is already a low-paid job for staff, so it is very much a passion for everybody who works in the sector,” she explained. Dani Wallace, an event manager and public-speaking coach, said the summer holidays were “organised chaos” and that none of the holiday clubs would cater for one of her child’s special needs.
Rebekah Jackson Reece, the chief executive of the Out of School Alliance, which represents providers, said that some provider were struggling after Covid as more schools set up their own childcare while facing difficulties such as searching for staff and increases in rents. “There needs to more understanding of parents’ needs and matching that with existing provision,” she commented
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