To expect pre-school to sort out childcare during holidays

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My toddler will be eligible for 30 free hours' childcare from September. We have two options for pre-school: one at the primary school near us and one at the private nursery he goes to now. It's great that they offer this, but the only problem is that both do not have any childcare cover during holidays. My husband and I both work and do not get enough holidays to cover 13 weeks; plus, it would be nice if all of us could be off at the same time!

Holiday clubs etc. do not cater for three-year olds and we do not have any family that could look after our child for a whole day. My sister lives abroad and says their pre-school offers paid childcare all year round. AIBU to think that it's ridiculous that pre-schools are not sorting out cover during school holidays? What are we supposed to do?!

You need to find a private nursery or childminder who provide holiday care. Or take unpaid parental leave. Pre-school technically provide education not childcare.

Let me get this straight. Is the problem
a) your childcare is closed or unable to give your dc any place at all for the holidays
Or
b) childcare is available but the 30 hours subsidy isn't?

I don't understand. Private nursery's are generally open 50 weeks a year. Are you complaining because the 30 free hours can only be used term time?

What do you do during holidays now? I don't see how 30 hours has anything to do with it?

The 30 hours is term time only. Presumably the private nursery is open during school holidays and you can pay for your child to attend then?

The free 30 hours even...

Oh dear, was your 3yo unplanned op?

I can't really relate because my children were gestated and grew in the normal way and it never occurred to me that childcare would be anyone but the parents' responsibility.

Hope you pull your finger out your arse find a solution :)

Haha!

DS's private nursery will either offer 30 hours during term time, and you pay the full whack for the holidays, or pro-rata it so you get about 22 hours per week throughout the year. Are you sure your private nursery doesn't do that?

Also pre-school nurseries often have reduced hours - say 9am-3pm, rather than 8am-6pm, so you should be aware of that.

As just said, private nurseries give the free hours during term time. During the holidays, you pay the usual full rate.

The free hours has always been intended for pre-school education, not childcare, so is limited to term-time only.

Oh and YABU

Did you imagine that schools also offer paid childcare in the holidays? Now that would be awesome.

Ha ha ha lol lol lol

This can't be real.

Surely you know that schools don't provide free cover for the holidays?

I'm just checking that this is definitely YOUR child you're talking about?! YOUR responsibility to provide care for?!
Massive laugh at 'it would be nice if all of us were off at the same time' !! Wouldn't it just?! Welcome to the real world op, shit isn't it?
Pay for a childminder or nanny, pay for the hours at your private nursery or give up work, they're all your options.

In my area there are term time only nurseries and 51 weeks a year nurseries. We made our choice. Have you checked other private day nurseries in the area?

Waiting for OP to realise that when her toddler reaches school, before and after school clubs, and holiday club also cost money.

Wow

Yeah, brace yourself for school op, £20 per day before and after school club here and £45 per day for school holiday club...

Is this real?

30 hours funding is termtime only, isn't it a given that a school based preschool is termtime only. If you need all year round continue to use a private nursery(although many have a two week break) or book a childminder to bridge the gaps.

Your child - your responsibility.
Welcome to parenthood.

Organise it yourself! Jesus!

There are two types of preschool. Ones that exist only to provide preschool education and ones which are childcare facilities and call their room for age 3+ a preschool. Both will give your 30 free hours but the latter will additionally be able to supply as much childcare as you need. In and out of term time (for a fee of course).

If neither of your current options does this then shop around to find one that does. As pps have said there are plenty around. I preferred a dedicated preschool but found I could only manage childcare around this two days a week so sent my dd elsewhere for the other days. It was my problem to solve not theirs!