Idyllic images of happy children playing in sunny gardens during the summer holidays aren’t so easy to turn into a reality when you’re a working parent. Instead of wondering how full to fill the paddling pool, working mums and dads are more likely to be doing their sums about paying for the childcare they need so they can work as their kids enjoy the summer holidays. Emily Pritty, joint head of legal advice service at the charity Working Families, points out that its recent research found four in 10 low-income families have gone into debt to pay for childcare, nearly half have had to reduce their hours, and a fifth have even quit their job to manage childcare. “The summer holidays are a source of stress and anxiety for many working families whose work situation doesn’t allow them any flexibility to manage childcare and who can’t afford the additional childcare costs,” she says. “School holidays are the pinch point for so many working families with school-aged children, as the usual pattern of caring and routine changes, and the demands of work don’t reflect this.” But there are ways to make summer childcare more affordable for the UK’s 17.5 million working parents and carers, says Sabine Kobayter, chief marketing officer at Pebble, which connects parents with childcare and activity providers. “The summer holidays can be really hard for parents who are trying to juggle work and childcare – while also trying to feed hungry minds with activities that will stimulate children,” she says. “There’s a huge variance in the cost of finding childcare, and trips out as a family can quickly add up. The good news is there are many solutions to help find affordable ways to keep children entertained whilst spinning work plates too.” Here are budget-friendly summer childcare solutions suggested by Kobayter and Pritty… 1. Use holiday camps From sports camps to street dance, drama, academic and cookery, holiday camps start from £16.50 per day, says Kobayter. “Holiday camps are great as they often mirror the working day, and children can find camps that match their hobbies and interests,” she says, explaining that as holiday camps increase in popularity, the trick to getting a space is to book your child’s slot as early as possible. “This also allows you to plan your work schedule with the peace of mind knowing your children are being cared for, while doing something they love, and meeting new friends.” 2. Take paid or unpaid leave Many parents will have to use their annual leave to look after their kids over the summer, and if they don’t have enough left, unpaid leave is a statutory option, says Pritty. “The burden of taking unpaid time off does tend to fall more heavily on women due to the gender pay gap, as for family finances, often the decision is for the parent on the lower income to take the leave.” 3. Stretch out free childcare You’re entitled to 30 hours of free childcare in England, and Pritty suggests: “You could stretch your entitlement so you receive fewer hours each week but get the childcare during school holidays too.” Check whether your childcare provider will allow you to do this. 4. Get friends and family to help Many parents rely on informal networks of friends and family to help cover the gaps in caring throughout the year, and Pritty says: “This is particularly prevalent in school holidays, given the cost of holiday clubs and formal childcare. Parents often group together with friends to cover particular days and then reciprocate in a shared care arrangement.” 5. Use free kids’ activities “Not everything costs,” promises Kobayter, who suggests that if parents use annual paid/unpaid leave, or get friends and family to help with childcare, they keep subsequent costs down by searching for free activities local to them, and lock in days out as a family. “Museums, national parks, events in local parks – there’s a surprising amount available,” she says. 6. Try ad-hoc childcare Until recently, childcare needed to be locked in months, sometimes even years, in advance, says Kobayter, but now childminders and childcare providers are starting to enable ad-hoc bookings for parents in need. “As work becomes more flexible, childcare needs to as well,” she observes. “If you have a last-minute need to book childcare, all is not lost.” Pritty says the Family and Childcare Trust can provide details about your local Family Information Service, which will in turn be able to tell you about available summer childcare including childminders, nurseries, out of school clubs and any holiday schemes running in your local area. 7. Use vouchers if possible Childcare vouchers, tax-free childcare and the childcare elements of working tax credit and universal credit can all be used in holiday clubs, if the childcare is registered or approved, says Pritty, although she warns that not all childcare providers accept vouchers and they need to be signed up to tax-free childcare. You can check the types of childcare that you can get help with. 8. Check you’re getting the right financial help Pritty suggests parents check they’re getting the childcare support they are entitled to, by using this online calculator if necessary.

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Madonna kicked off her Celebration tour in London in a string of stylish outfits. The tour celebrates her four-decades-long career, with Madonna, 65, performing some of her biggest hits – including Crazy For You, Like A Prayer and Into The Groove. The world tour was due to start earlier this year in Canada, but was postponed after she was admitted into intensive care with a serious bacterial infection. Madonna is set to take the tour to 38 cities across Europe and North America throughout 2023 and 2024. In true fashion, her bold costumes have wowed fans and given several nods to some of her eras of the past. Here are some of her edgy tour outfits so far… In an updated cone bra Madonna harked back to one of her most famous onstage looks: the cone bra. Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and worn on tour in London in 1990, the pale pink corseted outfit went down in music and fashion history. The singer paired up with Jean Paul Gaultier again, wearing an updated all-black version of the look. The iconic cone bra shape was instantly recognisable, and styled with tassels at the bottom of the mini dress, with embellished long-sleeve gloves. Earlier this year, Madonna posted a few different versions of the cone bra she’s worn over the years to Instagram, writing: “A trip to my archives is always a nostalgic trip down memory lane! “If I think about my journey through music over the last 4 decades — how could I not think about all the incredible clothes I got to wear and all the amazing designers I was lucky enough to work with!” In a kimono-style outfit Madonna also wore a black floor-length kimono dress with elaborate sleeves by costume designer Eyob Yohannes. She accessorised the look with a bejewelled headpiece that looked like a halo, designed by House of Malakai. It’s not the first time she’s been inspired by kimonos in her fashion – she wore a red version for the Nothing Really Matters music video in 1999. In underwear as outerwear Vetements’ creative director Guram Gvasalia has been working closely with Madonna to design outfits for the tour, including this blue and black lace bustier she paired with shorts and strings of chains. The lingerie-inspired design taps into the trend for ‘underwear as outerwear’ that has been making a splash on the catwalks. In glittering Versace Madonna also performed in a silver Versace smashed mirror catsuit with exaggerated shoulders. Designer Donatella Versace posted on Instagram: “My amazing friend @madonna – you are a ray of light in Versace on the 1st night of your Celebration Tour. Your talent and creativity inspires us all.” Read More Halloween pumpkins – how to grow your own Presenter Louise Minchin: Menopause conversations are no longer taboo – but we need to keep going Online apps recommended to manage lower back pain From choppy bobs to fox red, 5 celebrity-approved hair trends for autumn The UK’s first dedicated male breast cancer organisation has launched How Taylor Swift’s style has evolved over the years

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