School holiday childcare cost calculator
Schools in England are closed for about 13 weeks a year, and funded childcare hours mostly stop in the holidays. Work out how many days you need to cover and what it will cost.
Doing this more than once? The UK Bills & Budget Planner (£7) lets you see every bill and your budget in one place, every month. This calculator stays free.
Ways to cut the cost
- Tax-Free Childcare: for every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 if disabled). It works for Ofsted-registered holiday clubs. The cap covers the whole year, including term-time care. See the Tax-Free Childcare calculator.
- Universal Credit can pay back up to 85% of childcare costs, up to a monthly limit. You can't use it with Tax-Free Childcare at the same time.
- Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes in England give free places to many children who get benefits-related free school meals. Ask your council.
- Stagger your leave with your partner, and swap days with other parents.
- Book early: many clubs offer early-bird or sibling discounts.
Your exact cost depends on your club and your council's term dates. Check GOV.UK Tax-Free Childcare.
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How much does holiday childcare cost in the UK?
Holiday clubs often charge around £25 to £50 per child per day, so 6 weeks for 2 children can run to over £1,000. Enter your own figures above.
Can I use Tax-Free Childcare for holiday clubs?
Yes, if the club is registered (for example, with Ofsted in England). The government adds £2 for every £8 you pay, up to £2,000 per child per year.
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