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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Wrap around childcare v school holidays

42 replies

Aria20 · 06/04/2023 08:01

Sorry I am putting this in Aibu as I'm looking for opinions:
If you had the choice of your working pattern either mon-fri 9-3 but year around so you wouldn't need wrap around care but you would need school holiday care.
Or 8-4.30 mon-fri but 39 weeks a year so you'd need wrap around care every day and a week of holiday care.

The child is 5 and in reception. We haven't needed wrap around or holiday care before. Which would you think is better for the child?

The salary isn't too much difference to be honest and we aren't eligible for help with childcare costs due to DH salary. We have older children who won't need holiday care but aren't old enough to be responsible for a 5 year old!

OP posts:

Sprogonthetyne · 06/04/2023 11:26

I'd go for the 9-3. You'll still have your annual leave to cover some of the holiday, and if they have a dad, so will he. That's potentially 10+ of the 13 weeks school holidays anyway. Plus you can take some of it as odd days for appointments or sports day/ inset days etc.

Also in a few years time the kids that are currently OK to look after themselves might be be OK to have the younger sibling for odd days over the holidays, but probably won’t be able do school runs.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 06/04/2023 11:27

I would go for the shorter hours one. You would still get a holiday allowance so would get some of the holidays off and your child is likely to enjoy holiday clubs.
you will be able to take them to after school clubs and the weeks will be less stressful as you won’t need to be out of the house as early and will have quality time together every day.

Original poster

Aria20 · 06/04/2023 12:28

Very interesting reading all the replies. Thank you everyone!

OP posts:

shaniahoo · 06/04/2023 13:01

I've had this exact choice for when DD starts school this year and I've gone with shorter hours. I've always had difficulty looking after her for long periods on my own, I struggle to fill the time and a long empty stretch of summer holidays which is just us together at home fills me with anxiety. Whereas I look forward to picking her up at 3 every day and getting some good quality time in all the year round, in smaller doses!

KatherineofGaunt · 06/04/2023 13:15

I would say 9-3 and use holiday clubs. As a teacher, I'm looking to leave and, while I will miss having the holidays off with DS, just being able to take him to school everyday and being able to book off time to go to his sports days/productions/assemblies as and when I want is a big draw of a non-school job. DS would probably love holiday clubs anyway.

Scottishskifun · 06/04/2023 13:18

Personally I would go with wrap around care but that's because it's very expensive in school holidays for everything from holidays to day trips and I have zero issue taking my child out for holidays (no fines in Scotland but would pay it anyway in England)

Hankunamatata · 06/04/2023 13:21

Depends which job you want too. I'd hate to wfh full time.

Sugarfree23 · 06/04/2023 13:23

You'll finish at 4.30 so can pick up at 5.
Although afterschool is open until 6 you don't need to leave them that long.

Sleepinatent · 06/04/2023 14:04

Having watched my friends do the rediculous dance of annual leave and clubs to cover school holidays I went term time because I couldn't be bothered with the faff. Some of their kids end up at clubs they don't even like but they have to go because there is no other option. They also only end up with max 2 weeks off together all year. I also think clubs are pretty full on for school holidays so the kids don't end up getting much of a break between terms because they're up and out and on the go all day with little down time.

Theelephantinthecastle · 06/04/2023 17:28

@Sleepinatent I think on holiday clubs so much depends on what's available locally. There's a great selection near us so we are fine. DS would very happily go more often than we send him.

Because there's a big selection, it's not particularly stressful to plan ahead and book because I don't worry that there won't be something available.

Itsbytheby · 06/04/2023 17:33

Given the 9-3 is at home I'd go for that personally. Depending on what your work day looks like it's not long before they can be at home with you while you are working in the holidays, at least for part of the day if not all. I wfh (not short hours though) and often only take half days off/ book half day holiday clubs as my two (5 and 9) like to mooch about at home in the mornings when we are on holiday. I can easily get 4 hrs work in (half a day for me) while they do this, or get away with a 12-4 holiday club when they start getting restless.

Werehalfwaythere · 06/04/2023 17:35

I'd pick the 9-3 and use annual leave and clubs for holidays.

Having school holidays off is fine (great but I find a lot of work!). But does that mean you'll not be allowed any holiday in term time? What if you get invites for weddings, or want a cheaper getaway one year? A long weekend away?

DashboardConfessional · 06/04/2023 17:38

I've picked 9-3 year-round because I've had 2 days off a week for nearly 4 years and exhausted every single activity going. The thought of entertaining my 5 year old every single day for 6 weeks makes me want to lie down in a darkened room.

Original poster

Aria20 · 06/04/2023 18:39

Haha totally get everyone saying about entertaining them for the whole summer!

I think the 9-3 job has better potential for pay increases long term and career progression. There is also the option to work the hours over 4 longer days.

The school job would mean no term time days off or holidays to the pp that asked that. Plus there would be additional parents evening and open evening events I would have to attend.

Think I am leaning towards the working from home 9-3 but still plan to apply for both and see what happens.

Thanks all

OP posts:

Sugarfree23 · 06/04/2023 19:16

Definitely apply for both. There are advantages to both jobs.

The 9-3 wfh might have also have advantage that once your LO is up a bit she could hang around the house, play with local friends while you work.
Not something I'd do with a 5yo they get bored and need entertaining.

You have older kids too, who could benefit from a chauffeur, to take them to friends and clubs etc after school.

I initially thought of the advantages of having school holidays off but now see the advantages of wft and short days. Would it be possible to flex your hours over school holidays, working 7-1pm or 9-1 and a couple of hours in the evening?

Blahblahhr · 06/04/2023 22:10

I work 9-3 five days a week and it’s great!
I love dropping off and picking up each day, the kids have longer to decompress/chill after pick up so dinner/bath/bed isn’t so frantic. I can take them to clubs that I wouldn’t be able to if I still finished at 5pm. You’ll still have your annual leave for school hols plus, ask your employer if they’ll flex during holidays to let you compress hours giving you a day off? Mine allows this which is great and would help reduce holiday club days required. Good luck

CakeIsNotAvailable · 06/04/2023 22:44

It depends on your local provision, surely? I used to live in a rural town that had literally no holiday clubs, so I'd have chosen term-time working every time. In fairness, I'd probably still choose longer days and more holidays now - my child's school has good after-school and lunchtime sports clubs, so I wouldn't prioritise an early finish to facilitate after-school activities like others on this thread.

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