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.

We could do with a centralised system for volunteers to sign up so parents can see who would be willing to help.

I've an 18y who is doing nothing. She's bored. Although they can meet friends it's hard to arrange when they can't drive (driving test cancelled due to Covid) and public transport is rubbish and none are local. She's dbs checked and due to start a primary education degree this September. Loads of work experience with children. If only there was away for young adults like these to be out in touch with parents needing childcare - they'd have something to do, earn a bit of cash and the parents get someone willing and able to supervise their children for a bit.

There must be loads of young people out there in similar positions.

There are usually local FB groups for childminders. Or there's childcare.co.uk

Not sure if anyone took part in connect4summer last year but our local one has just put all the dates online for their holiday clubs and childcare...

It's such a shit situation. I don't know if it helps, but DS19 has just graduated from college with a childcare qualification. He's off to uni to study to become a teacher. He has said that his classmates have been talking about setting up a page on fb offering childcare over the holidays. They're all qualified and have PVGs (full disclosures). It may be worth asking at local colleges to see if there are similar students near you.

Been shouting about this for weeks since they did no childcare announcement for end of May half term. Keyworkers in particular have been screwed over for the summer. Work through pandemic and encouraged to put their children in provisions from early on despite such uncertainty but we won’t protect your ability to work during long summer break. Nice !

Won’t the DoE have to wait until next years exams are being introduced?

Wasn’t their also a big shout for starting schools during the summer holidays?

Wasn’t their also a big shout for starting schools during the summer holidays?

They said early on ( April?) in the briefing q and a sessions that school summer holidays would stand in England and not be shortened. A lot of teachers are relying on that having already given up 3 weeks holidays. Even if you take the teacher 'unpaid holidays' out of the equation many other school staff are on contracts that very clearly start their hours and holidays, and they've also already worked for free for 3 weeks plus additional hours each day.

There was talk of a summer catch up. Again in one q and a briefing it was said that school staff would not have to cover these.

However, the briefing yesterday seemed to fudge over that thought. The question was asked but not answered.

So who know?!

However, I do know that come July 17th I want - and need - a break. I won't be volunteering to work for free all summer, that's for sure. I'll still do the bits I normally do over the summer, but behind that I just don't have much energy left in me for it. It's been a long slog of working long days, no breaks and also dealing with two close relative's deaths and funerals. I'm almost done - 4 weeks and then I need to stop.

How are schools planning on repaying those teachers who worked unpaid during their Easter and Half Term holidays? It’s not as if teachers can book time off later to recoup the time.

They're not Parker123.
Certainly it's never been mentioned by the government of any plans to do so.
I very much doubt the public would support it either, based in many many MN threads thinking teachers are doing nothing but sunbathe these past few months.

It will be just three weeks added on for those teachers, TAs and support staff for free.

Another reason why I don't think there will be hoards of staff jumping to teach through the summer either.

Parker231 How are schools planning on repaying those teachers who worked unpaid during their Easter and Half Term holidays? It’s not as if teachers can book time off later to recoup the time.

Johnson might be working on a medal for teachers like he is for healthcare workers? I shouldn’t hold your breath for this Government to recognise the efforts of key public sector workers by looking at long term improvements to pay scales / investing in the infrastructure you work in / more money per pupil on a longer term basis.

Oh I’m behind the teachers and think that the idea of using the summer holidays is ridiculous. If they do a drive like they did with education, I wouldn’t go back even if they made it mandatory. I’d rather have the fine/prison.

It wasn’t just an idea touted by BJ but many parents on here as well, going back from the Easter holidays.

And if it’s not teachers doing the catch up then who? I want proper trained teachers doing GCSE’s not the drama teacher. No offence to drama teachers it’s just not the same, and I think it’s ridiculous this was happening in schools before CV.

Didn’t they already screw over public sector workers and yet another pay freeze, or has he come to his senses and back tracked on that yet?

It was around the same time those over paid public sector MPs authorised themselves a pay rise during all this.

Tuition centres are doing holiday courses that may work for you

Out of school alliance has an update -looks like they may be able to open from 4 July “depending on the science“

www.outofschoolalliance.co.uk/holiday-clubs-covid19

@ceeveebee

Out of school alliance has an update -looks like they may be able to open from 4 July “depending on the science“

They're being really ambitious imo. There's nothing new in any guidance that suggests to me they'll allow opening.

I can’t believe how this supposed ‘road map’ is planning out. The government are being fucking ridiculous.
So many jobs needlessly lost because people can’t work AND look after their kids at the same time. I was a staunch ‘rule follower’ at the beginning but I would just say to people to use their parents etc where they can now. It doesn’t make sense!
We are so so lucky that DS’ nursery is open.

The Observer have set out a manifesto today about this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/20/the-observer-view-on-a-manifesto-for-change-as-a-generation-of-britains-children-faces-crisis

@NooNooMummy

Very ambitious but who is paying for all this and where magically will all these child counsellors be recruited from if you want trained people? Far better to concentrate on those at risk/vulnerable rather than blanket coverage (income is a factor but not all low income kids need support like this so needs to be better targeted)

I agree - it’s not just keyworkers and low income families that are struggling.

...but golf courses and garden centres are back in action. So we’re all good now

"Update 19 June: The DfE released a further statement to the effect that the expectation was that holiday clubs would be allowed to open, but that the earliest date this could happen was 4 July, and would depend on the scientific advice at the time; and that the guidance for providers on the required health protection measures would be released 'soon'." On the link above.

The state needs to give clubs a date in advance otherwise preparing for 4 July and hiring people could be a waste of money if they advice on 4 July is cannot open.

l will be handing my notice anyways. Company will stop WFH in mid July even though possible and I have done the WFH thing since March. Schools not open, one child with complex SN. Her disability inclusive holiday club won't run over the summer either. childminders won't take her. Students or babysitter are completely inappropriate considering her needs and no family and no DP.

l guess I will be one of many who will change to living completely of benefits. But the government is asking for this.

My dd has been asked to work in her nursery’s holiday club starting as soon as local state schools close. It’s in its usual building of course so not the same as some are facing.

Was there any new guidance announced on this today?