To be dreading the summer holidays?

[JadedStrumpet]

Lone parent to nearly three year old twins. They currently go to nursery two days a week as I work PT. Obviously the nursery will be closed for holidays and they aren't old enough to go to the summer club.

I will have to drop down to one day a week at work for the six weeks (I work through an agency) My parents have said they will take them for one day but two days a week is too much.

It sounds awful but I am nearly in tears just thinking about it. The thought of six days a week summer child care slog honestly makes me want to run away from home. I feel like I can't cope and it hasn't even started yet.

Please tell me I'm not alone?

Can you perhaps find a childminder for the other day? Some may have spaces in the holidays if they look after teachers DC.

I wasn't aware childminders were open during holidays?

I'll look into it. I get 15 hours free child care though so not sure how it would work regarding payment. I'll have to investigate.

Many nurseries stay open throughout the year. Try find one that could take your twins for summer? Might be tricky for such a short period, but worth a try.

I didn't realise nurseries closed! Ours was open throughout. Have a look around. Might be worth switching permanently as then you won't have the problem every holiday. Good luck. It's bloody hard at the best of times but you have lots of extra hurdles thrown in.

I'm confused - don't most nurseries remain open during the holidays?

I’m a lone parent to 4, no ex and family don’t help out, I’m dreading the summer holidays 😢

Childminders work school holidays as do
Private nurseries... there are potential options!

School nurseries follow term time dates

We deliberately picked a nursery that’s open all year round apart from 2 weeks at Christmas. It’s hard work looking after toddlers without a break, YANBU to be dreading the slog!

Mine closes. I just assumed all nurseries did? It has a holiday club but only for 3+ and I couldn't afford it anyway.

I don't want to change as it's an amazing forest school.nursery and they love it. It's just bloody inconvenient!

It's a private nursery!

Lots of nurseries do stay open but the free hours finding is term time only so you would need to pay. You may see dent in your finances be able to claim some of your childcare bill back via UC so it's worth looking into that.

Your 15 hours a week is only term time so won’t cover it, but childminders will be open if you can afford an extra day a week.

Alternatively, know any teens who could babysit once or twice a week so that you get at least a few hours to yourself?

Mine are slightly older now but I survive by keeping a similar structure every day: up and about in the morning (local wood/park/attraction with a season ticket etc) then lunch and a little down time (don’t be afraid of Tv!) then crafts/garden/baking in the afternoon. For mine, more fresh air and an evening stroll was also a good idea.

Also check out local sure start / churches etc in case any groups are running (probably less likely this year?)

My kids went to paid for nursery year round. Of course there are daycare places open throughout the holidays- what do you think parents who work full time do? If you can afford it, go for it.

The private nursery ds went to was only open term time.Its fairly common.

I've said this for ages & ages. these 6 weeks on the trot now is just ridiculous,not just for you but everyone,it's way past its sell by date, & needs to be totally reassessed,its the 21century not the Victorian times......good luck

Honestly it might not be as bad you think, you need to tire them out each day and have a plan.

Lazy morning, then Set up camp at a park, sit yourself at a picnic table whilst they play and have a picnic lunch, come home they are tired so a bit of TV then play doh. More outside time in the garden, put them in wetsuits so it doesn’t matter about the cold, fill a big container of water will keep them entertained for ages, tea time, more TV then bed,

It’s all about keeping yourselves occupied outside the home so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Plan, plan, plan! Lots of us dread summer holidays but you can make it easier for yourself by doing the hard work in advance.

The local library usual has good activities during the holidays. A full day at soft play would tire them out….. just rotate your six ideas each week.

I've never come across a private nursery that shuts in the summer holidays before. They make their money from parents paying over and above the free hours all year round.

School holidays are 9 weeks here! For many of those weeks I get to work from home and mind the kids. I feel blessed. NOT!!

A lot of nursery's are open all year however I think the funding is term time only.

I have twins and additional children so I know how hard it can be. Personally I find getting them out of the house once a day makes us all happier. We have purchased a national trust card and tend to do this once or twice a week. A lot have parks or natural play areas and they are clean and safe. We take a picnic so we don't have additional costs. Also a small (not massively deep) paddling pool for home. Means I can watch them with a cup of tea and they have a blast. As someone above said plan your days. I find this really helps me, not every day is the same then.

Do you have any friends with similar aged kids? If so arrange some play dates, so kids have fun and you have another grown up to talk to.

Can you WFH during the holidays?

If so, you could ask around for a reliable older teen who could come in to babysit whilst you are elsewhere in the house. You wouldn't want to use someone young and unqualified for DC that young usually, but if you're nearby it can work well

(Yes, I do realise not everyone can WFH)

Have you looked into working tax credits/ Universal credits who, depending on income can help with child care costs ?

I use a private nursery and I don't bother with the pre school nursery attached to the school as they close fully all school holidays and it would be a nightmare. The free hours don't cover the school holidays. I now get the 30 free hours for my 3 year old so have to pay for the holidays.
Holidays clubs don't usually start till they are school age. You could ask nurseries if they have space as some kids don't go in the school holidays but wouldn't be cheap for 2.

Mine went to a term-time only nursery. They ran sessions on a couple of days a week in the summer, but only for 3+. The reason is that they need a ratio of 1:4 for under 3s, and 1:8 for 3 year olds.

Mine didn't turn 3 until mid-August. I asked whether they would consider taking her if they had fewer than 12, as then the ratio would still be okay. They were fine with that idea, and it turned out they only had about 9/10, borderline for financial viability, so they were glad to have her. So it may be worth asking about the holiday club - it might be that they could have them on some days if there's space, especially if you can be flexible about days.

Very confused. Our nursery is open all year except Bank Holidays.

Our childminder too - when we used one.

These settings are not schools so why would they close for school holidays?

Is your nursery actually just a pre-school attached to an actual school? If so - thats far from the norm. Look around at nurseries widely including national chains - and all of these open all year round! Would be a nightmare otherwise!