With school holidays underway in Cantabria, many working parents are struggling to afford summer camps and childcare. High prices and limited public options are forcing families to juggle work, finances, and care for their children during the long break.
When Saúl Salinas paid €112 for a five-day summer camp for his seven-year-old son, he was left with few alternatives. The only other option—a private daycare—would have cost €80 per day, a price far out of reach for most families. As schools across Cantabria close for nearly two and a half months, parents like Saúl are forced to navigate a childcare crisis that intensifies every summer.
The challenge is not just financial. For Saúl, finding a camp that matches his work schedule is nearly impossible. “It’s hard to find a camp that opens early enough for me to drop off my son before my 7:30 a.m. shift,” he explains. His wife, a teacher, also works part of the summer, and with elderly grandparents unable to help, the family relies entirely on private services.
Private Camps Fill the Gap
Public camps, while more affordable, rarely align with the needs of working parents. Limited hours and scarce places mean many families are left scrambling. “Most municipal programs only cover a couple of hours, which doesn’t help when you work a full day,” says Ruth Lago, mother of three children aged 11, 8, and 4. She and her husband both work morning shifts, and with grandparents no longer able to step in, the cost of private camps quickly adds up.
Ruth estimates that a week at a private camp can run between €150 and €200 per child. With three children and two months of holidays, the expense becomes overwhelming. “I’m basically working just to pay for their care,” she admits.
Public Support Falls Short
For families who don’t qualify for public assistance, the burden is even heavier. Ruth points out that despite not earning “huge salaries,” her family is excluded from most subsidies. She criticizes the lack of effective solutions from local authorities, noting that many parents simply cannot afford to replace school hours with private care. Leaving young children home alone is not an option when both parents work full days.
As a result, summer becomes a logistical and financial puzzle for thousands of Spanish households. Parents juggle shifts, coordinate with relatives, and stretch their budgets to cover each week until school resumes. The situation is not unique to Cantabria; across Spain, families face similar pressures, especially as the cost of living rises and public childcare options remain limited.
While some families seek out all-inclusive resorts or holiday camps, such as those highlighted in Spain’s popular family resorts in Alicante, these are often out of reach for those simply trying to bridge the gap between work and school holidays.
For now, the long summer break remains a source of stress rather than relaxation for many Spanish parents, who must balance work, finances, and the well-being of their children with little public support.
