A recent survey by Dayze Guides reveals that the increasing costs of childcare, clubs and family activities, coupled with the challenge of balancing work and childcare over the 13+ weeks of school holidays are taking a toll on families’ finances and well-being.
The survey found that over 97% of UK parents and caregivers believe the cost of school holiday childcare, activities, and food has increased since last year, with more than 80% stating the increase is substantial. 82% said their stress levels are higher during the school holidays compared to term-time. 52% rely on informal childcare arrangements like grandparents, friends, or juggling working from home with the kids, to plug the gaps and save money.
The survey shows that on an average school holiday week, parents and caregivers with one child are spending £386, that’s over £5,000 across the 13 weeks of school holiday a year and excludes trips away, abroad, not to mention childcare and clubs for additional children in the household.
£110 per child holiday club/childcare.
£95 on eating out and activities.
£35 on transport (train tickets, parking, etc).
£146 on the weekly food shop.
Other challenges the survey revealed include:
• Rural areas: Lack of access to holiday clubs and childcare.
• Children with SEND: There are limited clubs and availability. Most activities require a parent or carer to attend, making it almost impossible to work during office hours.
• Barrier to work: Families without support from grandparents/family and clubs use their holiday or buy more holiday allowance from their employer. Some respondents confirmed they had to stop working, even though they couldn’t afford to.
• Costs of living: Rising household costs mean parents and caregivers are having to cut back on activities, food, and childcare during the school holidays.
This initial survey of 100 parents and caregivers (conducted this month) indicates that the pressure on families’ finances and mental well-being continues to rise since the last wide-scale survey on this topic back in 2022 by The Coram Family and Childcare Holiday Childcare Survey 2022 together with Pregnant Then Screwed. Dayze Guides is looking for a sponsor or partner to help expand on the valuable insights from this initial survey. Here are just some of the many comments Dayze Guides received:
“In towns, there’s a plethora of clubs. We live in a rural community and there just isn’t the holiday camp availability. It’s a real juggle. I end up buying more holiday allowance from work to help cover the holidays, but that’s just an extra five days.”
“We rely heavily on holiday clubs and have to pay for extended days, which always makes them expensive. Then times that by two. Then add on that most we have to drive to and also that they’ve all gone up in price (by a lot).”
“The main reason I gave up work after I had my first child was because we have no support network around us to help with childcare. My wage would have almost entirely gone on preschool and club/activity fees otherwise.”
“With another child about to enter full-time primary education, I don’t think working and using holiday clubs is going to be sustainable and that scares me.”
“Absolutely crippling. £120 per day for my four children. That’d why I spent the majority of the younger years as a stay-at-home mum due to it not being financially viable…”
“My daughter’s school does not offer a holiday club, so we have to look externally. The one we can access has shorter hours than normal, and so we cannot make it to drop off and pick up and be at work on time/until the end of our shifts. We rely completely on the generosity of our bosses to let us go early or grandparents to pick up extra hours or days. I have a massive spreadsheet detailing which childcare/family member is covering each day.”
Georgina Waterhouse, Co-Founder of Dayze Guides and mum of two, says: “Since Dayze Guides started to focus on supporting Chief Family Officers during the 170+ days children aren’t in school, I’ve received messages from stressed and worried parents about the school holidays. The mental load is increasing, compounded by rising costs. This relatively small survey provides an insight into a widely felt problem affecting home and work life. While the new flexible working UK law is a positive step, I am seeking a sponsor or partner to help expand on the valuable insights from our initial survey. In the meantime, I will continue to include low-cost and free family events in the Dayze Guides to help lighten the mental and financial load for the upcoming May and summer school holidays.”
