Over half of parents (58%) are facing extra childcare costs over the summer holidays as they balance work with having their kids at home – to the tune of almost £200 over the six-week period.
Nearly two-thirds (64%), of the 1,000 mums and dads polled, with school-aged children, are already worried about how they will manage the increased costs of childcare.
And 58% are having to rethink activities they had planned to entertain their little ones, due to these additional costs.
But almost half (44%) of those polled will be calling on grandparents to step in to look after the little ones, to take some of the pressure off.
Seven in ten (71%) are also anticipating needing to buy more snacks than usual, due to day trips and activities, to keep children fed on the go.
As a result, supermarket Morrisons has teamed up with baking company Warburtons to commission the research, and to launch “Ask for Ellen” – a scheme offering free toasted crumpets for everyone in Morrisons Cafes over the summer.
Jonathan Warburton, Warburtons’ Chairman, said: “While the summer holidays offer a chance for families to enjoy time together, we know that the reality can be very different for many families.
“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household budgets, we wanted to offer a little to support to families through the holidays.
“Being able to help families across the country is as important to us today as it was to Ellen Warburton back in 1876.”
The research found that parents will also have to visit the supermarket at least once more than usual each week, to ensure snack cupboards are full for children during the summer holidays.
It emerged that 38% find entertaining the kids the trickiest thing about the summer holidays, while 37% worry about balancing work and family time.
And 26% will hear kids claiming they’re bored “often” over the six-week break – with the first complaints of boredom typically coming by the end of the first week of the school holidays.
Chris Strong, from Morrisons, said: “Supporting customers during the school holidays is incredibly important to us, as we know that many families worry about catering for additional meals that are usually covered during the school term time.”
“Ask for Ellen”, named after the bakery brand’s founder Ellen Warburton, will be available all day in any of the supermarket’s 398 UK cafes, from 17th July to 13th August, while stock last.
Adults and children can “Ask for Ellen” to receive a portion of two crumpets, with butter and jam, for free – no questions asked.
