A report by Ta Nea, carried by in.gr, highlights the increased financial and organizational burden faced by working parents after schools close, bringing renewed attention to the recurring issue of children’s summer care and activities.
For many families, the start of the school holidays does not necessarily mean rest, but rather a search for childcare and activity options during parents’ working hours. Grandparents, summer leave, municipal programs, private summer camps and children’s camps are all called upon, with cost, however, often proving a major obstacle.
The problem is not unique to Greece: 48% of parents in the UK consider summer the most stressful time of year, due to increased financial obligations.
According to the report, for a family with two children, participation in a two-week summer activity program can start at around €300 and reach or exceed €1,000, depending on the area, schedule, transport, meals and type of activities. At museums and creative activity centers, prices often range around €120–€150 per week per child, while in more organized or specialized programs the total cost rises significantly, especially when extended hours, food or transport are added.
Municipalities offer a cheaper option in many cases, through free or low-cost summer programs. However, the available places are not always enough to meet demand. Indicatively, the Municipality of Athens is reported to offer 1,540 places for summer activity programs, a figure that points to the limits of public provision in relation to families’ actual needs.
Source: In.gr
What is fyi.news?
