Help with managing childcare costs over the summer holidays
The summer holidays can be a lovely time to spend with your family but can also bring added financial pressure, especially when it comes to childcare, activities, and keeping children entertained for six long weeks.
If your budget is already feeling stretched, planning now can help reduce stress and avoid unexpected costs later on.
Look for low-cost summer clubs or free events
Across the UK, many councils and community organisations run free or subsidised holiday clubs. These are often funded through government initiatives and aimed at supporting families during school breaks.
You might find:
- Free sports or activity camps
- Creative workshops (arts, music, drama)
- Local library events
- Community group sessions
Some programmes also include meals, which can significantly cut food costs during the holidays.
A good starting point is your local council website or searching for “Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme” in your area. If you’re based in England and your child is eligible for benefits-related free school meals, they may be able to attend these clubs. They usually start in July, and you will need a code to book that is usually issued alongside your free school meals code.
Some national charities have schemes across the UK that provide lunch clubs and food related activities, including FareShare, Make Lunch and FeedingBritain
Plan your weekly budget in advance
Summer can bring lots of small, unplanned expenses – days out, snacks, travel – which quickly add up.
You can try these steps to help manage those costs:
- Set a weekly spending limit that fits within your budget
- Plan free activities (crafts at home, parks, beaches, nature walks)
- Pack lunches instead of buying food out
- Search for discounts for days out and activities
Creating a plan can help you stay in control and avoid dipping into money needed for essentials.
Reduce your childcare costs
If you have friends or family nearby, why not consider sharing childcare responsibilities. For example, taking turns hosting playdays can reduce the need for paid childcare, and is fun for your children.
If you receive Universal Credit, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs. The childcare provider must be Ofsted registered to qualify.
If you’re a working parent you can apply for Tax Free Childcare, to pay directly to your Ofsted registered childcare provider. For each £8 you pay into the account, the Government will add £2 up to the value of £500 over a 3-month period, per child.
If your child is aged 9 months to 4 years old, you can get 30 hours per week of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year – some childcare providers will stretch the hours over 52 weeks of the year to help with budget management. You apply via the Government website to receive your childcare code, which you need to give to your registered provider. Once your account is set up and the code is active, you need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months.
Check what help you could get with childcare costs
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