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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect pre-school to sort out childcare during holidays

341 replies

Springishere0 · 23/05/2017 13:39

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?! Angry

OP posts:
caffeinestream · 23/05/2017 14:16

How do you think millions of other parents manage?

Childminders, private nurseries, family, shiftwork so that someone is always at home, or one parent sacrifices their job/career/pension to stay home, because childcare is more than what they earn, and they can't afford to lose one salary and then some on childcare.

You're hardly the only parent in this position!

CrazedZombie · 23/05/2017 14:17

Are you sure that your private nursery stops at 3? It's more usual for nurseries to go up to age 5.

Is your problem that nursery doesn't accept the 30 hours funding? If so, it sounds like you need a private nursery that does.

justgivemethepinot · 23/05/2017 14:21

Pay a child minder

Like the rest of us do

MinkowskisButterfly · 23/05/2017 14:21

I, like others, am wondering why you need to change his care setting when he is three? The nursery he is at will surely take the 30 hours free childcare into account?

wickerlampshade · 23/05/2017 14:22

But when he turns three, he'll have to change to preschool, with different teachers, who have all school holidays off and they therefore do not offer any additional childcare during school holidays.

no, you are choosing to move him to save money. part of that is the quid pro quo that you sort out the holidays. mine stayed in private nursery until they started school and lots of children with working parents do. some private nurseries will take the 30 hour funding off your bill, some won't. If you need holiday care, just keep him at nursery. sorted.

Original poster
Springishere0 · 23/05/2017 14:23

It's not about the cost. It's not about that I didn't think about looking after a child. It's that this preschool system has put me in a difficult position.

It works fine now, meaning I work part time and pay for him to go to nursery all year. It might just be his nursery not offering any holiday care when he goes to preschool, but other nurseries might have organised this better. And yes, abroad primary schools do offer paid care during holidays, because they know there is a demand there with both parents often working. I think it's only a logical thing to do.

OP posts:
DeadGood · 23/05/2017 14:23

"Count yourself lucky you live in a country with 30 free hours at all."

Um. When it comes to childcare, I'd say the UK is not exactly exemplary. So.

To everyone guffawing and offering biscuits on this thread. I have lived in a country where cover for holiday closures is the responsibility of the nurseries, actually. Each nursery works with others in the area and they stagger their closure dates so that there are places available to anyone who needs them.

I guess lots of people on this thread can't even imagine a system that is different to the one they are familiar with. So, here's a Biscuit for all of you...

MummySara · 23/05/2017 14:24

I was made redundant when my ds was a few weeks old. I put him in nursery when I eventually found a new job. Unfortunately the nursery that was most suitable was 1h 15mins away from my work, so I had to pay the standard 8-6 and Early/late drops ins....It got cheaper when he hit 2yrs old. He is now 3 and at preschool. I still have to pay the standard nursery rate. I understand he will be eligible for 30hrs free childcare. Admittedly, this will save me so much money, but my local nursery does not offer this. I will have to either continue to folk it out or find another nursery that does, even if you have to pay for the non-term time this will still be a huge saving!!! So although it may seem bad, you are actually just stating what all us mums have to do....I am now preg with twins, so rather than paying two nursery places and school pick ups, I will have to hire a nanny.........which will cost more than I pay for nursery....Sometimes its not fair, but its a short term financial cost that does get better!

DarkDarkNight · 23/05/2017 14:24

This must be a joke or a reverse?! Think of a preschool nursery as early years education rather than your own personal childcare. What do you do when your child is ill?

Most private nurseries take children up to 5. Your child doesn't have to progress to a preschool at all. They don't even need to be in any education until they are 5.

Your child can stay in a private nursery but it will cost. They aren't technically supposed to charge extra but most can't afford not to. The 30 hours only covers term time though some may spread the hours out through the year.

I'm struggling why you think it is the responsibility of the school to care for your child in the holidays. Most parents struggle through the holidays with a combination of parental leave, help from friends and family and paid childcare - private nursery, Childminder, holiday clubs etc. I don't know any parent who gets enough annual leave to cover school holidays unless they work in a school themselves.

caffeinestream · 23/05/2017 14:24

You don't have to move him to pre-school just because they offer the 30 free hours. Keep him at his private nursery if that makes things easier.

moggle · 23/05/2017 14:27

Just find another nursery and keep the situation the same as it is now?! There will be some that have care all year round, I know, my daughter goes to one. She will be getting the 30 free hours once she turns three, but she will still go to nursery in the summer holidays, and we will pay for it.

There must be another nursery near you that does this?! Even if they only get the 15 free hours (I know all don't have to offer the 30).

HSMMaCM · 23/05/2017 14:28

Just don't move him to Pre school. Nurseries, childminders and pre schools all follow the same curriculum.

ExplodedCloud · 23/05/2017 14:28

Can you see if there are any other suitable nurseries you can move him to?
Tbh if you're part time you're in a much better position than a f/t working parent as part of the week during holidays requires no leave and your DH won't have to take full weeks to cover the days you are at work.

Craiconwithit · 23/05/2017 14:29

30 hours free for pre-schoolers and you're complaining?
Are holiday clubs full time for school age children in the U.K.?
I live in Ireland and besides the normal holiday periods my DS (8yrs) has 10 week summer holidays extending to 13 weeks at secondary school. There are no holiday clubs in the rural area where we live other than a few sports camps for a few hours a day, for 3 days a week for a couple of weeks. I would like to go back to work but I simply can't afford to, for the foreseeable future. A lot of my friends rely on extended family for childcare or employ au pairs.
OP, you don't know when you're well your off!

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 23/05/2017 14:30

DS went to private nursery up until he started Reception. No pre-school at all. The nursery followed exactly the same curriculum as all the pre-schools and gave the 15hrs (as it was then) deducted off the bill. In "holidays" we paid the full amount.

Does your nursery not offer this?

Mummysh0rtlegs · 23/05/2017 14:30

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/600592/30_hours_free_childcare_eligibility.pdf To the person who said the 30 free hours is education not childcare, no it isn't, it is couched as childcare.

Fruitcorner123 · 23/05/2017 14:31

Why don't you look into a childminder? You could send your DC part time to pre school and part time to a childminder. The childminder may also be able to help you with school holiday cover as your DC grows up so will be a useful person to have.

IckleWicklePumperNickle · 23/05/2017 14:33

Wow Shock

Our private nursery just adjusted the payments for us, they don't close over holidays.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 23/05/2017 14:35

Well this is all pretty ugly, isn't it?

Hope those of you laughing and being sarcastic and angry and "suck it up buttercup" are getting some pleasure from it.

tellitlikeitispls · 23/05/2017 14:36

He is currently not in pre school, but in private nursery where we pay for him to go all year round. But when he turns three, he'll have to change to preschool... Why?
I have no choice but for him to progress to preschool when he is three and therefore losing cover during school holidays. again, why is this? Why can't he stay where he is?

I have found no option for paid childcare during holidays. I still don't understand. He is currently in private nursery where you pay for him all year round. Can't you send him there during the school holidays then? Have you even asked if? (presumably you have) Or find a childminder? Or another private nursery?

harderandharder2breathe · 23/05/2017 14:36

Yabu

You can move him and have 30 free hours term time only.

Or find a private nursery or childminder that does all year round

Or a combination of both

And realise that finding suitable childcare is YOUR responsibility as parents, not the nursery's.

StatisticallyChallenged · 23/05/2017 14:39

As others have said, if pre school doesn't work don't use pre school.

Around here you would have the following options
-a private nursery which is a partnership provider so your 30 hours can be used there to reduce your fees. These are open year round
-a private nursery which isn't a partnership provider so you pay full fees
-a childminder who, in England, might be able to provide the free 30 hours or may choose not to. Open all year round except their own holidays
-use a pre school which follows school term time. Depending on the after school club which serve the attached school there may be holiday club available. If not you use a childminder, au pair, nanny, share with friends, temporary nursery...

Why is it that none of these are viable for you?

upperlimit · 23/05/2017 14:40

Yeah, this is why we have a childminder for ds3 and haven't put him into a school nursery. It's a bit of a shame because my older children did attend the school's nursery and it did offer a gentle introduction to reception class.

Reow · 23/05/2017 14:40

tiny violin playing because someone has to take responsibility for their own child

Allthewaves · 23/05/2017 14:41

Private nurserys/daycare round here do all the care. Only think is 15/30hrs doesn't mean that in these settings. You get a small amount knocked the weekly bill as they say the amount the government are giving per hour doesn't come close to.what they charge per hour