Those of you that only need childcare in the school hols, what do you do ??

[nutcracker]

I am still looking for a job and trying to find something that is school hours so 10-2 or 11-3, something like that, but I would still need childcare in the school holidays..

I would use my hols then, but obviously there would still be a large chunk of holidays where i'd need childcare.

What do you do ?? I have 3 kids aged 9, 7 and 4 (4 yr old starts school sept) and am not sure what would be best.

Also how do you work out claiming tax credits towards childcare if it's only in the hols ??

[TwoToTango]

I work 3 or 4 days a week, 10 - 2.30 and in school hols I have to sent DS to a playscheme (local library childcare centre will have a list). I have to pay the full daily rate of £19. Regarding tax credits if I remember correctly you need to work out the total cost of childcare for the number of weeks you need and if the amount they would have to pay you was more than £10pw they pay you over the year. I think you can also just ring them every holiday and they will adjust your payments.

[nutcracker]

Ahh right I see.

Will check out library for playschemes then.

Ds's nursery is open during some of the hols but not all so will check about that too.

[PeachyClair]

Have you any Universities or colleges near you? they often have childcare facillities that are available as holiday clubs in the holidays,a s the students don't access them then

You can also get advice from the council (the bit that licences childcare- early years directorate I think), the site here and the daycare trust

[nutcracker]

Oh thanks for that link.

As far as I know the local college nursery shuts in the school holidays, but i'll check for sure.

[AuntyQuated]

what about working in school then you wouldn't have a problem.

if there are no immediate vacancies offer as a volunteer, if you are good at it they will think of you when a vacancy arrives. which tbh they do fairly regularly.

[ScummyMummy]

Play centre, annual leave and short breaks at grandparents' homes are our main holiday childcare options. We seem to muddle through. Contact your local authority for details of playschemes in your area.

[cece]

I am a teacher and only use my cm during term time. During the holidays she takes older children on their school holidays.

Perhaps you could find a cm who has teacher's children during term time and do something similar.

[StrawberrySnowflakes]

nutcracker where are you..you may find someone close on here that could help?

[nutcracker]

I haven't got a job yet strawberry but I am in sutton coldfield, west mids.

Basically I am hopnig to do the M&S lone parent training scheme and possibly get a job at the end of it, either that or a job somewhere else.

A school job would be great, but round here they always want at least nvq 2.

We do have a new childrens centre near by so I think they would be able to help me sort it out, and a lady from there comes to speak to me once a week at the mo too so will ask her.

My mum would also help out but she works too so she couldn't do it all of the time.

[nutcracker]

You know when you volunteer at a school, what happens about having a CRB check ??

[Oati]

the school organise the CRB check - you fill in a form and send it off IIRC

[nutcracker]

Do they pay for it though, considering I would be a volunteer and not a proper member of staff ??

[Oati]

yes they do - or mine did

[nutcracker]

Ahh right ok, might look into that too then.

LOL so many ideas to chase up LOL.

[Oati]

some useful info here

[nutcracker]

Thanks

[Ladymuck]

Would their father be able to help out?

[ejt1764]

also, you don't necessarily have to work at a school to work term time: there are council jobs that support schools (things like asylum seeker liaison and the like) that are term time only jobs.

There's also admin work available in schools.

good luck

[nutcracker]

I would have to assume not Ladymuck and then be plesantly surprised if he did. He just cannot be relied upon.

[LIZS]

I was told the school didn't get charged for volunteer CRB checks, just staff.

[PeachyClair]

Voluntary organisations can get free CRB checks, but need to be registred iirc. However if we have school placements at Uni we have to pay for CRB- its all down to how the schools in your area operate, some schools may decide that a volunteer is worth the (quite high) charge, and pay it.

[Gingerbear]

There is an out of school club at primary school - they do a breakfast club & after school club during term time, and there is a school holiday club - expensive though - £75 per week!

Tax credits - no idea! You would have to ring them (groan at the thought)

Do you know about childcare vouchers? - you can save tax on the cost by having vouchers to pay for childcare deducted from your pay (tax free)

[Skribble]

Quite a lot of the after school clubs here run full days in the holidays so even if it is not the kids school you might be able to get places.

[dmo]

i'm a childminder and most of my children i have are term time only so now i run a holiday club for school children 7.30am to 6.30pm for £20 per day
i have a minibus and take the children somewhere every day
i am sure a childminder near you may do the same as me
i'm in north west Preston btw

[AMAZINWOMAN]

I'm in the same position as you (you also ned cover for INSET days though-as not every childcare is open!)

phone your local council, they can give a list of local childminders and clubs.
I have used a childminder (where my kids were really happy) but the she moved. Since then I used a kidsClub (which they are a team so you can rely on them ) but kids arent happy here. I use a local leisure centre too-which my kids loved but is only open during summer holidays for 4 weeks only!

its difficult