What does everyone do with their toddlers over the summer break?!

Supamum3 · 2025-06-16T21:09:54+00:00

Not AIBU - posting for traffic! I have a 3 yr old who attends school nursery so will break up for 6 weeks in July. Summer clubs in my area (Hackney) are from age 5, so I’m buggered. No family nearby plus they all work full time. What do people with toddlers do?!!! Please offer me some tips!

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 17/06/2025 08:58

user2848502016 · 17/06/2025 08:14

If you and DH take 2 weeks holiday each and look after all the kids that’s 4 weeks covered, then you look for private summer clubs or ask your childminder for the other 2 weeks.

This seems the most sensible option.

KenAdams · 17/06/2025 08:35

If you can't afford a childminder what can you afford to cover the childcare? You'll have to use your annual leave.

user2848502016 · 17/06/2025 08:14

If you and DH take 2 weeks holiday each and look after all the kids that’s 4 weeks covered, then you look for private summer clubs or ask your childminder for the other 2 weeks.

MuggleMe · 17/06/2025 07:44

You split leave between you, try and do reciprocal arrangements with other preschool parents, take parental leave each if it's cheaper than childminder (probably not), look for preschools that offer holiday childcare (one near us but I know they're not common), both wfh juggling and do extra in the evening?? Nothing ideal unfortunately.

IanStirlingrocks · 17/06/2025 07:28

You can’t afford the childminder? But realistically any other childcare is going to cost you in some way unfortunately.
Your only cheaper options are maximising you and your dp’s annual leave, if you work part time, swapping days/kids with another family or calling in a lot of favours from friends or family.
Can you WFH?

Sommertidenhejhej · 17/06/2025 00:32

TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 16/06/2025 23:35

This is why we were unable to use school based preschool and had to use a private nursery. Pre WFH days when we needed watertight childcare.

Yes exactly! I hear Bridget Phillipsob wants us all to move towards school based nurseries. We’ll do that when they actually start providing a childcare service that allows us to work thanks.

Ambergrasswashingbasket800 · 17/06/2025 00:30

A child minder is your best bet OP, someone that has a couple of minded kids would bring the overall cost of your DCs place down.

luckycat888 · 17/06/2025 00:21

My friend managed to sign up for 2 different nurseries (one which was not term time). Her kid attended once a week to keep his place. You could ask about to see if they would take him for a couple of months.

PeloMom · 16/06/2025 23:52

immyo · 16/06/2025 22:31

Take 6 weeks off and look after them. If you have no job to go back to after find another, you are replaceable at work but not at home.

🤣 and the bills will disappear because summer holidays

Mumof1andacat · 16/06/2025 23:50

We used a nursery that was open all year instead of a school hours nursery.

ICantPretend · 16/06/2025 23:48

Poopeepoopee · 16/06/2025 22:39

I think your mistake was in putting your toddler in a nursery that isn't open in the school holidays. Why would you do that?

This, I'd move across to a year round one and keep DC in until school age. Just make life easier for yourself.

RosesAndHellebores · 16/06/2025 23:45

Supamum3 · 16/06/2025 23:32

thanks for the replies, lots of great things to check out.

I have just started working after being a SAHM sonce toddler was born so it’s first time it’s an issue. I have older dc that will go to playscheme whilst me and dh work but they only take from age 5. We have a childminder that helps with wrap around care but no way we could afford her for full days.

Unfortunately, childcare costs are one of the sunk costs involved in going back to work.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 16/06/2025 23:40

immyo · 16/06/2025 22:31

Take 6 weeks off and look after them. If you have no job to go back to after find another, you are replaceable at work but not at home.

Yes, they could make a magic money tree rockery as part of creative play

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 16/06/2025 23:38

Stick them in the attic with some tinned Ortiz tuna (only the best) till September.

IwasDueANameChange · 16/06/2025 23:35

We have a childminder that helps with wrap around care but no way we could afford her for full days.

I assume you've used all your 30 hour funding during term weeks?

Alas whatever you find childcare wise will cost you, the childminder is likely to be among the cheaper end of the options. As a pp said, term time nursery classes & preschools are less popular with working parents for this reason.

TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 16/06/2025 23:35

This is why we were unable to use school based preschool and had to use a private nursery. Pre WFH days when we needed watertight childcare.

ungratefulcat · 16/06/2025 23:35

immyo · 16/06/2025 22:31

Take 6 weeks off and look after them. If you have no job to go back to after find another, you are replaceable at work but not at home.

Personally I felt being able to put a roof over my childs head and food in their stomach was pretty essential

ungratefulcat · 16/06/2025 23:34

Parental leave?

Split the holiday between you?

I think that's why most working parents use private nurseries.

Original poster

Supamum3 · 16/06/2025 23:32

thanks for the replies, lots of great things to check out.

I have just started working after being a SAHM sonce toddler was born so it’s first time it’s an issue. I have older dc that will go to playscheme whilst me and dh work but they only take from age 5. We have a childminder that helps with wrap around care but no way we could afford her for full days.

OP posts:

PrincessOfPreschool · 16/06/2025 23:23

OP may be a SAHM and just asking for ideas of things to do.

Farm trip
Jumping in puddles was one of our favourites and taking cars to play in the puddles, getting filthy including weeks full of water! Then stripping off outside the house and having a nice, warm bath with loads of toys for an hour.
Walk, feeding ducks and an ice cream in big park
Park and picnic
Visiting friends
Staying with grandpare or cousins
Getting bus into Central London and visiting Dad at work/ walking along the river/ going in Tate
Going on a stream train
Baking and playdough
Paddling pool and making potions in the garden

Gosh I miss those days.

IanStirlingrocks · 16/06/2025 23:14

Can you WFH and employ a teen babysitter to entertain them whilst you work?

Take as much annual leave as possible and get dp to do the same and/or ask for some unpaid parental leave.

Trade days with another family in a similar position if you know anybody.

Ask the school TAs if they would do some babysitting hours.

Ring around a few day nurseries and see if they have holidays places.

I’m curious though, how have you only just realised this is an issue.

Poopeepoopee · 16/06/2025 22:39

I think your mistake was in putting your toddler in a nursery that isn't open in the school holidays. Why would you do that?

froglet99 · 16/06/2025 22:38

immyo · 16/06/2025 22:31

Take 6 weeks off and look after them. If you have no job to go back to after find another, you are replaceable at work but not at home.

Hahaha I’m not quite sure you understand the concept of ‘work’.

Op this is why you need a private nursery. Failing that do you have a dp who you can juggle annual leave with? Any friends who could help out? Six weeks is a really long time to try and wing it. You need to get plans in place asap.

Motheranddaughter · 16/06/2025 22:36

immyo · 16/06/2025 22:31

Take 6 weeks off and look after them. If you have no job to go back to after find another, you are replaceable at work but not at home.

And if you can’t pay your mortgage and bills ….?

MitchamMum · 16/06/2025 22:36

You could ask at local nurseries. Ours has lots of term time only children so there would be spaces over the holidays. DD2 only goes to ours 3 days per week usually but I have been able to book some extra days for her over the summer for example, whilst I finish a major project at work.