Parents across Great Britain are facing increased costs for summer holiday childcare, with an average bill exceeding £1,100 per child for the six-week break, according to a recent report by the charity Coram Family and Childcare. The study highlights that weekly fees for holiday clubs have risen by around 5 percent nationally over the past year, reaching an average of nearly £191 per child.

The report, based on data collected from 199 local authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales between April and June 2026, reveals significant regional variations and disparities in fee increases. In Wales, holiday club fees saw the steepest annual rise, increasing by 10 percent to approximately £224 per week. London, particularly inner London, experienced a 16 percent increase, while the North East of England saw a 12 percent rise. In contrast, Yorkshire and the Humber bucked the upward trend, with prices falling by about 1 percent.

Across England, the cost of holiday childcare varies considerably by region, with weekly fees ranging from around £227 in the southeast to £160 in the northwest. Scotland also saw a 5 percent increase in holiday childcare costs over the year.

The study emphasizes that holiday childcare remains substantially more expensive than after-school care during term time. On average, families pay nearly three times more for holiday clubs—over £190 per week compared to approximately £70 per week for after-school clubs, amounting to a difference of about £726 for six weeks of childcare.

These rising costs have drawn attention to the financial pressures on working parents who require childcare during school holidays, a period when demand typically surges. The report aims to provide insight into the affordability and availability of childcare for children aged four to 14 across Britain, underscoring ongoing concerns about the accessibility of affordable childcare options outside the school term.