Holiday Club Childcare: Support for London’s Working Families

Childcare Gaps During School Holidays

For many London families, school holidays are a double-edged sword. While children look forward to weeks of rest and play, parents face a daunting challenge: how to secure safe, affordable, and enriching childcare for up to 13 weeks a year when schools are closed. In a city where both parents often work, and living costs are among the highest in Europe, holiday childcare is no longer a nice-to-have; it is essential infrastructure for family stability and workforce productivity.

This reality has driven the rise of holiday clubs, structured childcare programmes offering supervised activities during school breaks. Once viewed as enrichment or convenience, holiday clubs now play a critical role in enabling parents to remain in work, preventing financial strain and reducing the mental load that peaks during school holidays.

Why Holiday Clubs Matter in Today’s Economy

The UK labour market has shifted dramatically in recent years. Dual-income households are now the norm, yet childcare remains expensive and fragmented, especially during extended school closures. According to the Coram Family and Childcare Survey (2025), the average weekly cost of a holiday club for a child aged 5–11 is £179, with inner London families often paying £200 or more per week. For those relying on childminders over the holidays, costs soar to £306 per week, a figure many families simply cannot absorb.

This mismatch between school schedules and working parents’ needs forces many to take unpaid leave, reduce hours, or patch together ad hoc arrangements with relatives and friends. A survey by the Phoenix Group (2024) revealed that holiday childcare costs increase household outgoings by an average of £1,683 per month, a figure equal to or exceeding half of the UK’s median household income. Such costs exacerbate London’s affordability crisis, pushing some parents, particularly mothers, out of the workforce entirely.

The Hidden Impact on Parents and Children

Beyond finances, holiday childcare gaps affect family well-being. A British Psychological Society report found that work–family conflict rises by 40% during school breaks, with parents reporting heightened stress, fatigue, and guilt over reduced quality time with their children. For children, inconsistent care or extended periods at home without structure can lead to social isolation and behavioural challenges, as highlighted in research by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB).

Holiday clubs, when thoughtfully designed, address these challenges by providing safe, stimulating environments where children can socialise, learn, and play, while parents maintain employment and peace of mind.

Policy Landscape: Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, launched by the UK government, aims to provide free holiday care for children from low-income families. In theory, it is an excellent initiative to combat food insecurity and support social inclusion. Since its inception, the HAF programme has seen significant success, delivering over 2 million places for children in 2023 alone (Gov.uk, 2024).

However, the programme has some critical limitations:

• Limited scope: HAF only applies to children eligible for free school meals or those in specific financial need. It doesn’t address the middle-income households who are also struggling with the high costs of holiday care.
• Geographical restrictions: Availability varies by council, and many areas, especially in London, have insufficient places, forcing families to seek other, often unaffordable, childcare solutions.
• Holiday period limitations: While HAF is effective during school holidays, it does not extend to weekends or after-school hours, creating gaps for parents who need flexible care throughout the year.

Expanding HAF to Address the Gaps

If the government aims to fully address the childcare challenges that parents face, it’s crucial to extend these provisions beyond term-time and into weekends and after-school hours. Making holiday clubs a mainstream, scalable solution for all families, regardless of income, would alleviate the financial strain and encourage higher workforce participation.

Holiday Clubs as Social Infrastructure: Supporting London’s Workforce and Economy

Workplace productivity in London, and indeed across the UK, is directly tied to the availability of accessible childcare. The UK's productivity gap, which hinders economic growth, is partially due to childcare barriers. Parents, especially mothers, are forced to make difficult choices between working and taking time off to care for children during the holidays. In a fast-paced global economy, this childcare infrastructure is a crucial lever to unlock the economic potential of the workforce.

The concept of holiday clubs as infrastructure is not new globally. Cities such as New York and Tokyo have recognised the role of structured holiday childcare in their social policies. In New York, businesses and municipalities work together to create affordable summer programs, directly boosting local economies by ensuring that parents, especially single mothers, can return to work without worrying about their children's safety or education.

In London, integrating holiday clubs into broader economic policies would provide clear returns on investment:

• Enhanced productivity: Parents remain at work, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity.
• Decreased reliance on informal care: Instead of relying on unregulated arrangements, holiday clubs offer structured, safe, and enriching care.
• Workforce inclusivity: Flexible holiday clubs allow for more inclusive participation in the workforce, especially for parents in industries with non-standard hours.

Parent Stories: Juggling Careers and Childcare in London

Emily, a retail manager working in central London, says: “Without a holiday club, I wouldn’t be able to work during the school breaks. I can’t afford private childminders, and family isn’t always available to help.”

John, a single father in healthcare, adds: “As a doctor, my shifts change every week. I rely on holiday clubs to keep my kids engaged and cared for while I work. I would lose out on so many opportunities if these clubs weren’t available.”

These stories reflect the emotional and financial strain that many London parents experience without accessible, affordable holiday care. Holiday clubs can offer not just relief but a path to economic independence and family wellbeing.

The Impact of Holiday Clubs on Children's Development

1. Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience

According to a National Children’s Bureau (NCB) report, children who engage in structured, supportive holiday care are less likely to experience feelings of isolation and anxiety over the long school breaks. These clubs often include socialisation activities that help children build peer relationships, improve emotional regulation, and develop coping mechanisms for stress.

For parents, knowing that their children are in an environment that promotes positive mental health is critical for maintaining their own wellbeing and productivity. The mental health charity Mind has linked access to regular activities like those provided in holiday clubs to improved self-esteem and resilience in children.

2. Cognitive and Educational Enrichment

Holiday clubs often provide educational components beyond the usual school curriculum, ranging from STEM workshops to arts and crafts and sporting activities. This type of engagement boosts cognitive development and keeps children’s learning on track during the holiday period.

For parents, these clubs represent a way of ensuring that their children’s learning doesn’t stall during the school break, keeping them engaged in meaningful, enjoyable activities. These opportunities are particularly beneficial for working parents who may not have time to plan or facilitate educational experiences on their own.

Policy Recommendations for London: Strengthening the Role of Holiday Clubs

To truly maximise the benefits of holiday clubs, especially in London, policymakers must take a more strategic approach. Here are several key recommendations:

1. Expand Funding and Accessibility: Affordability remains the biggest barrier for many families. Expanding government schemes, such as the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, to include middle-income families would broaden access and ensure more children can benefit from structured holiday care. Additionally, incentivising employers to partner with local holiday clubs could lower costs for families while also benefiting businesses.
2. Link Holiday Clubs to Workforce Policies: Incorporating subsidised or tax-exempt holiday care into government-backed childcare schemes would ease the financial burden on working families and encourage more parents to remain employed throughout the year.
3. Promote Local Partnerships: Local councils should collaborate with schools, businesses, and community organisations to create holistic holiday club programmes that integrate educational, social, and physical activities.

Conclusion: Reimagining Holiday Clubs as Essential Infrastructure

Holiday clubs are no longer a luxury, they are a critical piece of London’s social infrastructure. They support parental workforce participation, economic stability, and children’s emotional and cognitive development. By recognising the value of holiday clubs beyond recreation, framing them as integral to family well-being and economic growth, London can build a more resilient, inclusive society for all.

For parents, holiday clubs represent a lifeline: a way to balance the demands of work, family, and financial stability. For employers, they offer a chance to support employees in a tangible way, boosting retention and productivity.

FAQs

Q: Are holiday clubs affordable?
While holiday clubs can be expensive, costs vary widely by location and provider. Some clubs are subsidised by the government, and there are also opportunities for businesses to partner with local providers to reduce costs for employees.

Q: Can I use holiday clubs if my child is not in school yet?
Some holiday clubs cater to younger children, but availability may be more limited for children under five. Check with local providers for age-specific programmes.

Q: How can I find holiday clubs in my area?
Local councils often list available holiday care options on their websites. Alternatively, websites like Yoopies and Childcare.co.uk provide directories of registered holiday clubs.

Call to Action

Explore how our holiday club programmes can provide the care, enrichment, and stability your family needs during school breaks: