“We know how important affordable holiday childcare provision is for parents and carers, and councils recognise there is a shortage of options, especially for children with SEND.
Responding to the Coram Family and Childcare’s annual Holiday Childcare Survey, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children, Young People and Families Committee, said:
“We know how important affordable holiday childcare provision is for parents and carers, and councils recognise there is a shortage of options, especially for children with SEND.
“We need an adequately resourced workforce with the skills, training and experience to support children with SEND, and locations that are suitable for providing enriching activities during the school holidays.
“Extending the Holiday Activities and Food programme has been key in supporting vulnerable children. However, we are concerned some eligible children are missing out and urge government to ensure the programme works for every eligible family.
“Councils also want to work more closely with providers and Ofsted so they have sufficient information regarding availability and quality of provision.”