Childcare during the summer holidays

Many parents dread the long summer break as they are faced with the challenge of finding and paying for childcare over the summer holidays.

The good news is that many nurseries continue as normal throughout the summer but those adjoined to primary schools and pre-schools usually follow the school’s term dates.

Working from home is an option for many parents now, but if you need to leave the house for work and can’t leave your children with grandparents or rotate childcare with their friends’ parents, there are options available.

Paying for childcare over the summer holidays

The average cost of childcare during the holidays in Britain is £174.91 a week, according to Coram’s most recent Holiday Childcare Survey.

If your child will be attending their usual nursery, the rate will be the same, though you do pay slightly less per week if they attend year-round rather than term-time only.

Is there any funding for summer childcare?

Tax-free childcare can help with the cost of childcare over the summer holidays. It enables parents to receive £2 towards childcare for every £8 they spend.

In England, 15 and 30 hours per week of funded childcare is applicable to term time only. You can stretch the hours out for the whole year, so that you get 11 hours per week for 52 weeks rather than 15 hours per week for 39 weeks.

Wales

The 30 hours per week of free childcare is for up to 48 weeks per year, so you can use them over the summer holidays.

Scotland

The 1140 hours per year can be used during term time only or spread across the whole year, including summer holidays.

Northern Ireland

The 12.5 hours is for early education, rather than childcare, so is only available during term time.

Holiday activities and food programme (HAF)

The HAF programme supports low-income families with school-age children. Through the programme, local authorities can offer childcare, activity sessions and food for children during the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays.

The programme is available to those who receive benefits that are related to free school meals. What each local authority offers varies, so see your local authority’s website to find out what you may be eligible for.

Do nurseries stay open during the summer holiday?

Day nurseries usually run as normal throughout the summer holidays. You will likely pay a different fee if your child attends year-round than if they attend term-time only. Check with your child’s nursery about which holidays they are open for, as many only close for the week around Christmas.

Pre-schools generally run only during term-time, in line with the school term dates in your area. Many pre-schools are adjoined to schools. If your child’s nursery is part of a school, check with the provider whether they run during the holidays.

Nurseries typically close for bank holidays.

Nursery holiday clubs and camps

Nursery holiday clubs and camps offer a variety of activities and experiences for children during the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays, as well as half term breaks.

They cater for nursery-age children and provide a variety of engaging activities, learning and social opportunities.

Your child does not necessarily have to be enrolled at the nursery during term time in order to attend a holiday club or camp. You can usually apply online or phone the nursery offering the club to find out more.

Holiday clubs and camps for nursery age children typically cost more than childcare during term time. According to Coram’s Holiday Childcare Survey 2024, the average price of a holiday club in the UK is £174.91 per week. However, nurseries may charge closer to their usual rates, which is £288.13 per week on average.

Summer playschemes

Playschemes are usually for children of primary school age and run after school and during the summer holidays. Run by schools, youth clubs and even leisure centres, these schemes provide daily activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts and day trips.

Summer playschemes typically cost around £30 a day but this can vary widely. They run during what would be school hours. However many have options for early drop-off or late pick-up.

Childminders

Childminders work year-round to help parents juggle work and childcare. They usually work from home and have several other children from the local area under their care.

Childminders must be registered to practise and charge. When they register, they will be visited and inspected by Ofsted to ensure that they meet the standards required. To look after children aged 0-5, they need to be on the Early Years Register, and for children aged 5-8 years, the Childcare Register. 

Childminders in England can look after a maximum of six children under the age of 8.

The average cost of a childminder in England during the summer holidays, full-time (50 hours a week) for a child under two is is £202.09 a week. For a two-year-old child, the average cost of a full-time childminder is £198.59 a week.

In Wales, childminders can look after 10 children under the age of 12.

You can find registered childminders in your area by searching on your local council’s website.

Au pairs

Au pairs and affordable might not be two terms you’d typically put in the same sentence. However, hiring an au pair for the summer can actually be cheaper than other childcare options.

They are typically paid around £90-£150 a week, which over the six weeks of summer holidays works out at £540-£900. Additional costs include feeding them and potentially their travel, depending on what you decide together. You’ll need a spare room for them to sleep in.

Hiring an au pair for the summer comes with huge benefits. Using a website like Au Pair World, you can choose where your au pair comes from. They could be from the UK or any country you can think of.

Many parents use overseas au pairs to help their child learn a second language. Some people do this job as their career, while many are students looking for summer work that will help them brush up on their English skills and avoid rent. Additionally, your kids can stay at home and the au pair can even take care of cooking and housework.

Bear in mind that under new government rules, an au pair must not be hired if if they’re in the country on a visitor visa or visiting the UK for 6 months or less.

Summer schools and camps

For older children, many schools and even universities hold summer schools. These can be residential or daily. These aren’t cheap, as your child is getting far more than just care. It’s a good option if your child or teenager is starting a new school in September and you want to give them a head-start academically.

 Alternatively, you could give your child a break from academia and send them to a summer school that teaches something they’re interested in, such as dance or theatre. These usually consist of daily workshops that provide intensive training in their field of interest. They sometimes include accommodation for older participants.

Residential summer camps are less education-focused and more about fun activities. Children can participate in adventurous activities such as archery, sailing, rock climbing and orienteering. As well as offering these experiences and the opportunity to make new friends, summer camps also provide a daily structure and the opportunity for children to practise their independence.