Oxygen Activeplay is significantly expanding its government-funded summer holiday programme in England, increasing places from 1,500 to 6,000 to support families facing higher childcare costs and address inequalities in children’s activity levels, with a particular focus on children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Oxygen Activeplay is widening its government-funded summer holiday provision sharply this year, lifting the number of places it can offer from 1,500 to 6,000 across England as families contend with higher childcare bills and worries about children’s activity levels. The expansion spans 11 venues trading under the Oxygen Activeplay, RedKangaroo and Boost brands, alongside five owned Ninja Warrior UK sites.
The move builds on the company’s Easter delivery and comes as the UK government continues to back the Holiday Activities and Food programme through grants to local authorities, with each session designed to run for at least four hours and include a meal at no extra cost. Oxygen Activeplay says the larger rollout has been enabled by additional funding and close co-operation with councils and Active Partnerships.
A significant part of the summer push is aimed at children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Oxygen Activeplay said it had provided about 300 funded SEND places during Easter across five sites, but that figure has now risen to 1,060 places across eight venues. The programme also includes targeted sessions for teenagers in partnership with several local authorities, reflecting a broader effort to widen access beyond younger children.
The expansion lands against a backdrop of growing strain on households during the school holidays. Oxygen Activeplay cites research suggesting childcare costs are about 5 per cent higher than a year ago and may average £1,145 over the six-week summer break. It also points to Department for Education data showing that fewer than half of young people meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, with girls, children with SEND and those from more deprived areas among the least active. UNICEF data has likewise highlighted persistent inequalities in childhood obesity, with reception-age rates far higher in poorer communities than in the most affluent.
Within its sites, the company is offering trampolines, inflatable areas, mega airbags, dodgeball, parkour, trapeze swings and climbing challenges, while Ninja Warrior UK venues in Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Teesside and Walsall provide obstacle-course activities modelled on the television format. Stephen Wilson, chief executive of Oxygen Activeplay, said the company was “incredibly proud to be quadrupling our capacity this summer” and described SEND provision as a particular priority, saying the six-week holiday can be especially difficult for families in those circumstances.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
