Holiday camps cancelled- what are key workers supposed to do?

[Dishwashersaurous]

My children’s holiday camp provider has just emailed to say that despite thinking that they were going to run, they have been told by department for education that they cannot run.
I booked these days in September.

I understand that if dfe say that they cannot run then they cannot.

But my aibu is what am I , and millions of other parents, supposed to ?

We’ve been just about coping but I was clinging on to the summer camps to enable us both to work normally.

Grandparents are not legally allowed in the house.
No where is open.
I can’t take anymore leave/ unpaid leave etc, nor can my husband as it’s been used up in the crisis so far.

I have no idea 🤷‍♀️

Normally my mum has the kids for a week and takes them away for a few days in an air bnb which has been cancelled. Also my dad is shielding so he’s can’t have them if the extend shielding.

Then I have them for a week and we do loads of things.

Then Dh has 2 weeks off and we book clubs and things, everyone I’ve emailed as said as of yet they are not reopening and to await further emails.

It’s going to be a nightmare for a lot of parents to be honest.

Is this really a new government directive? I have kings camps booked for July and August and was 95% sure it was still going ahead??

I think they will still go ahead. How can the government say schools are safe to open yet holiday clubs aren't? Makes no sense. Unless the government have its own plans for holiday clubs.

If grandparents are willing and able I would ask them. It may not be allowed but how else are parents meant to return to work ?

No one is coming to check whether grandparents are doing the childcare so just do that. It's shit, but it's necessary.

It's another instance where policy makers have no clue about real people's real lives.

I'm wfh and will get until September so for once I don't need clubs the kids will just have to be managed around my work!

I think the issue most of mine have are they are going to have to cut numbers to adhere to social distancing which in a few of the ones I send dc1 to will be nearly impossible to distancing anyway 🤷‍♀️

I’m hoping maybe just maybe they will run some outdoor clubs like kayaking on the lakes etc

It's a bit of a mixed bag I think. Our usual summer camp hasn't confirmed its opening yet, but another is opening early albeit with limited slots.

Alternative suggestions by oracles here have been 'your children your responsibility', 'book a childminder' and 'stop offloading your responsibility'...all very helpful 🙄

If you are critical workers then it says grandparents can be used for childcare as long as they are not in vulnerable category

@HeyMaCorona

Is this really a new government directive? I have kings camps booked for July and August and was 95% sure it was still going ahead??

No idea. Not all Kings Camps are going ahead. Barracudas not opening at all.

So far nothing available here. Between us we can cover three weeks of the holidays with annual leave. Will have to get dc a job fruit/veg picking to keep them out of trouble.

I have no idea how I will manage. I'm not a KW, but a single parent WFH.

I think some will run in some form with limited numbers and hours and with increased cost.

Luckily my employer is very, very supportive.

Hopefully holiday clubs will be ok to run, but I suspect at highly reduced numbers.

@Scotinoz

It's a bit of a mixed bag I think. Our usual summer camp hasn't confirmed its opening yet, but another is opening early albeit with limited slots.

Alternative suggestions by oracles here have been 'your children your responsibility', 'book a childminder' and 'stop offloading your responsibility'...all very helpful 🙄

There will be some twonk in a minute who’ll suggest ‘just employ a nanny’. Or ‘get an au pair’. Because teenagers are just desperate to visit the corona capital of Europe.

The clubs we normally use have said they’re definitely not running. No grandparent care available. Work have said they would turn down an application for unpaid leave (which afaik they can). It looks like I’m handing in my notice; just waiting to get closer to the holidays to so (and for a miracle).

If grandparents are happy to do it then let them. I don’t see that it’s anyone else’s business.

You could try asking at your school if they know of any that are running. All camps but one in out area was cancelled for May half term and all the local schools sent the key worker children there also.

I can only think that they are planning on extending family bubbles and expecting this to cover most childcare in the school holidays.

We’ve already had adverts from local independent schools saying they are running summer schools (desperate for cash I think!) so they might run?

Ours have been cancelled. Luckily I've managed to book two weeks leave and DH has booked a different two weeks. That still leaves us with 2 weeks to cover, hopefully we will be able to WFH to cover that, so we are in a much better position than some.

I don't think the government realise how much in advance we have to plan this stuff

I have no idea OP. All our holiday clubs won’t be opening for the Summer. I have no idea what we’re going to do. We do have a childminder that’s willing to take them so I guess that’ll have to be the option along with annual and unpaid leave.

It’s going to be a shit summer.

Use Grandparents ? Screw the rules OP

And look around more widely

It’s ridiculous really , I don’t think having such a small tired team running things at Govt level is working anymore

I’m going to have to use grandparents. Their under 70 and not shielding. If I’m allowed to employ a nanny to come in, why can’t my mum come one day a week?
I can’t afford to not go to work any more

What do people do who don’t have grandparents that will help? None of my children’s can or will . There’s just no answer. I guess a lot of parents will lose their jobs.

Our school has told us holiday clubs won't be running as far as they are aware ( one of the teaching assistants rubs the usual local holiday club). I'm a nurse and have no clue what to do over the summer if this is true. Two primary school aged children. Single parent.

Sorry should have been clear grandparents shielding so not an option.

The club stated that it was government rules that holiday camps are not allowed to run.

I’d booked leave, my husband had booked leave but we cannot cover seven weeks.