Having kids in nursery all summer whilst you’re off

[Willwejustbehotforevernow]

Just seen a friends post about being happy to be off for the whole summer (teacher) because now she can pick her kids from nursery (they’re in full time whilst she works)
Would you still put your kids in full time nursery if you worked full time and then had summer off-6 weeks, where you could be with them?

I'm a teacher and wish I could afford to put mine in nursery for the hols!

It's shit as a teacher as you get no holiday without looking after kids (yes I know that im lucky to not need childcare in the holidays!).

But it is exhausting-my DH has used up most of his holidays on taking time off for the kids with covid/chicken pox so he's working all summer.

Just one child free day a week in the holidays would be amazing!

I'm currently trying to entertain them and pack for our holiday as DH only has the exact days we're away off due to having no annual leave left.

In the last couple of years I took two weeks off, went on holiday all together for a week and sent the little one to nursery the other week. That gave us enough time to do what we wanted to do in the house or outside (DIY, trips to city, relaxed lunches). During that week we often picked him up early or decided last minute it was a nice day for a family activity. Also, my son absolutely adores his nursery!
So, yes, I would send him in if I had 6 weeks off. Maybe not every day or for longer hours as when I work.

When mine were in nursery I always kept them in over the holidays. I was paying for the time whether I used it or not and I couldn’t bear to waste the money (it was V expensive!)

Also, they loved nursery and had some good friends there. They got to play all day and have fun. Better than being dragged round Aldi or stuck on a screen while I did the hoovering.

I think I must have done every combination of FT/ PT/ SAHM over the years. My nursery contracts varied around depending on my hours and things like 15 free hours (30 came in when DS2 left). Sometimes I paid FT so used some of that time I paid for, sometimes they were term time only and I paid for some additional days for my DCs' routines and to allow me to do chores uninterrupted and do things like long runs without taking a chunk out of the weekend. We were all very happy.

It was when I put DS1 into the ASC, a small crowded busy room where he struggled with the sensory input on top of a school day. That was the point when I stopped working. Diagnoses followed later. The more relaxed pace of nursery and secure relationships did him a lot of good.

Very telling assumption. At my kid's nursery, there are as many dads as mums doing the nursery run.

Its not two weeks sorting though. A typical timeline would be something like.

2 days to clear up your class if moving class.
2 days to move into and set up displays in new classroom, label trays, seating plan etc.
2 weeks curriculum work
Three days subject leadership(all primary teachers have to lead a subject now. Some two)
Provision map and preparation for Sen

I wouldn’t put my kids in full time nursery while I wasn’t working, no. I’d look for term time only so I could save the money! When I was working term time I had the kids when I was off. I’d at least drop them from full time. I think nursery is a really long day for small children, especially if they’re the 8-6, 5 days a week ones.

If that’s true, I’m glad I don’t do primary, but none of my primary teaching friends do that.

I find that hard to believe.

Seems odd to me.

We've booked dc 3 in for the two days before we go on holiday so that we can do last minute house clean / pack etc...will just be easier all round than him mooching around the house bored when we're busy. Seems sad for them to keep going every single day though if not necessary.

I mean this as a genuine question - why do you care? It has no impact on you or your kids. Let her do what works for her.

This thread is clearly judgey and a bit mean. You have no idea whether she’s using the first week as a break and then might take them out a bit more later on. If she’s paid for it it’s there to use. If I was in her position I don’t think I’d use the full 5 days but I’d definitely use some of it. There’s been loads of times I’ve taken my eldest to do something while the youngest was in nursery. It’s an ideal time to get some 1:1 time and do activities that wouldn’t be age appropriate for the youngest.

Most of the children at my daughter’s nursery are in for most of the summer. People with only younger children often avoid taking leave in the summer holidays if they can. Even if I was a sahm, I’d still make use of camps if could afford it. My eldest enjoys them and gets a lot out of doing different activities.

Very telling assumption. At my kid's nursery, there are as many dads as mums doing the nursery run.

I didn't mean to assume anything. I was just confused about who usually collects the children, as the OP says both parents are teachers. It seemed an odd thing to be excited and post about, as most nurseries are open until 6pm. So even teachers who work long hours are usually able to collect from nursery, even if it means leaving some work until after the children are in bed.

Well, I’m afraid I find your post equally hard to believe.

But the OP isn't talking about the odd day, she's talking about 30 days. I'm sure I've enjoyed the odd day home alone whilst DD has been at nursery too.
I can't imagine choosing not to spend an extra day or two a week with my preschooler in those circumstances. Especially if I had other children at home.

But the OP isn't talking about the odd day, she's talking about 30 days. I'm sure I've enjoyed the odd day home alone whilst DD has been at nursery too.
I can't imagine choosing not to spend an extra day or two a week with my preschooler in those circumstances. Especially if I had other children at home.

Once again though unless the OP has had an in depth conversation with her 'friend' she actually has no idea if the child is going to have some fun days at home or do some short days. All she's basing her judgement on is a post from a parent who is excited she will be able to collect her child from nursery as its now the summer.

Nothing about the fb post this lovely judgemental thread is supposedly based on suggest the child is going 8-6pm 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

Everyone is different obviously

Who actually has the energy to judge other parents like this? Unhappy people. That’s who.

When l was teaching (secondary), l spent 3 days out of every week in the holidays working. So yeah, l had to send mine.

100% this

Well my claims can be quite easily evidenced from the fact that some are teaching standard requirements, some are legal requirements and some are simply logistical.

Your claim that teachers don't work during the holidays is of course common amongst the teachers only work till three crowd.

I guess, but I just assumed that (for whatever reason) she normally finished too late to collect them. Could be all sorts of reasons for that - shorter nursery hours, distance from nursery...

Erm...yes?

Presumably she still has to pay for the place, and it would be really disruptive to take them out and then restart them again. Little kids thrive on routine.

Not that its your business, but I am sure she will still have days out with them, or give them shorter days.

I'm still sending mine her 3 days a week so I can give some focus to my eldest (5) who pretty much always has to fight her baby sister for attention. It's so nice being able to actually finish a game with her or do a craft with all the bits not being snatched and chewed, massive shouting etc. She deserves it.

Youngest gets 1 day a week with each parent during term time, so I figure it balances out.

And yes, as others have said it's not like I won't still be paying if I take her out! at £50+ a day it's not a small consideration.

I'd probably reduce their hours and days but send them in a little bit. If my child adored nursery I'd not feel too bad about it.

My 7yo ds wasn't wasn't huge fan and I felt guilty whenever he had to do long days - it's not caused any lasting damage though! (as far as I can tell)