This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter.

Every year at this time, there are people who complain about the length of the school holidays, and for many this is a legitimate, annual headache.

Although it’s not supposed to be the main function of schools, the fact is that part of what they provide is free childcare for working parents, and when that arrangement ends for a full six-week period, many find themselves struggling.

This isn’t a new problem. When I was younger my sister and I spent a lot of the summer holidays staying with relatives because our single mother couldn’t just take a month and a half off work; as an adult, I have plenty of friends now trying to find some sort of solution to this particular and persistent equation.

Even for those parents who don’t need to find someone to actually look after their children, this time of year can still be difficult, with many struggling to find enough for their kids to do – and then hoping that any activities they do find are affordable. For thousands and thousands of families, it is that last point that proves to be the insurmountable barrier.

And, as ever, things are even more difficult for the parents of children with disabilities or other additional needs.

So there’s definitely an issue........

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