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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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Margot Robbie pulled out all the fashion stops at the world premiere of Barbie, where she once again wore a red carpet ensemble inspired by the Mattel doll. The 33-year-old actor, who stars as the titular Barbie in the upcoming live-action film directed by Greta Gerwig, arrived at the Los Angeles premiere wearing a black sparkling dress that accurately resembled the 1960s Barbie’s Solo in the Spotlight outfit. The custom black Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress, which was embellished with sequins, featured a strapless neckline with a layered tulle hem, adorned with a single red rose. Much like the special edition doll, she accessorised the look with black opera gloves and a pink silk mousseline scarf. Robbie’s red carpet moment was finished with a pair of black Manolo Blahnik heels, diamond earrings, and a diamond choker necklace from Lorraine Schwartz. For a bit of old Hollywood glamour, she styled her hair in a ponytail with side-swept bangs and a touch of red lipstick. Her stylist, Andrew Mukamel, has been the mastermind behind Robbie’s Barbie-inspired press tour fashion. On Instagram, he confirmed the black sequin dress was an homage to the Solo in the Spotlight Barbie doll. In addition to Robbie, Ryan Gosling also attended the Los Angeles premiere of Barbie. The 42-year-old actor plays Barbie’s paramour, Ken, in the forthcoming film. For the event, Gosling arrived in a pink Gucci suit. However, it was his chain necklace with the letter “E” dangling from it – in the same typeface used for the film – that received praise from fans. Fans immediately noted the initial was in reference to Eva Mendes, with whom Gosling shares two children: Esmerelda, eight, and Amada, seven. “Ryan Gosling rocking not just a sexy little chain but a sexy little chain with a Barbie font E for Eva on it,” tweeted one person. “How cute wearing a necklace with an E for Eva. He really is making sure his wife feels secure,” added another. Early reactions to the Barbie movie have already rolled in, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Gosling was singled out as a “scene-stealing” highlight, while Variety’s social media editor Katcy Stephan wrote: “Greta Gerwig delivers a nuanced commentary on what it means to be a woman in a whimsical, wonderful and laugh-out-loud funny romp. The entire cast shines, especially Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in roles they were clearly born to play.” Throughout the press tour for the highly-anticipated movie, Margot Robbie has stunned in a number of Barbiecore looks. Just days before the Los Angeles event, she attended the Mexico City premiere in a pink leather Balmain minidress inspired by the “Earring Magic” Barbie doll from the ‘90s. In Seoul, Robbie wore two custom Versace looks inspired by the Mattel doll’s “Day to Night” ensemble from 1985. And while promoting the Barbie film at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, her black and white striped minidress paid tribute to the first-ever Barbie doll, which was released in 1959. Barbie premieres in the US and UK on 21 July. The film also stars Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Emma Mackey, Michael Cera, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and more. Read More Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far Ryan Gosling fans praise actor’s subtle nod to wife Eva Mendes at Barbie premiere Barbie: First reactions single out Ryan Gosling as ‘scene-stealer’ deserving of an Oscar Ryan Gosling fans praise actor’s subtle nod to wife Eva Mendes at Barbie premiere Every Barbie-inspired outfit Margot Robbie has worn so far The Barbie press tour has finally rescued Margot Robbie’s red carpet reputation

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