Parents of primary school-aged children in England are facing significantly higher childcare costs, according to analysis of data from the children’s charity Coram. The annual expense for after-school care for children aged 5 to 11 has reached £2,636 on average, up 5% from the previous year. Scotland reports even higher costs at £2,701 annually, while Wales has seen prices climb to £2,824, representing a 64% increase over the past decade.
Beyond after-school programs, families must budget for additional childcare during school holidays, which typically costs £191 per week per child and adds more than £1,700 to annual expenses. Research by Nationwide found that extracurricular activities such as swimming, music lessons, and sports clubs average £700 yearly, totaling approximately £9,100 over a child’s primary school years. School uniforms and sports kit cost parents an average of £381 annually, while school trips add another £116.
The cumulative financial burden is influencing family planning and work decisions. Nearly half of surveyed parents reported stress about back-to-school costs this September, with one in four delaying non-essential purchases. Some families are adjusting work arrangements to manage childcare expenses, with one parent describing how she and her spouse alternate working from home to avoid paying for after-school supervision.
The financial pressure comes at a time when wage growth has not kept pace with cost increases. While average weekly earnings have risen 51% since 2016, inflation-adjusted figures show real wage growth of only 7.5% over the same period. According to the Resolution Foundation, private sector wages are currently barely matching price inflation, while unemployment remains around 5%.
Parents also face unexpected expenses for secondary school, including mandatory technology purchases such as tablets and specialized calculators that can cost significantly more than standard alternatives. The combined weight of these costs has led some families to forgo holidays to afford school supplies and equipment.
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