School have changed holiday times

[Terracata]

Not sure how I'm going to manage.

I already feel like I'm drowning re school holidays.

The school my son goes to have 4 extra days of holiday compared with other schools, but have a slightly longer day. The 4 days have so far been 4 separate days, one at Christmas, one in summer, one in October half term and one at Easter end of term.

I've not found these hard to cover as they are odd days here and there and my family/friends are happy to help.

The school have just sent an email that they won't be doing this anymore and will be having a 2 week holiday in October instead. My family can't cover a whole week. I already massively struggle with covering the 14 weeks of leave my son has on my 5 weeks of annual leave.

My son's dad abused us both and he's not allowed to have him overnight. I have a restraining order against him. He isn't an option.

Does anyone else's school do this? How do you cope with annual leave as a lone parent? I'm not on a big wage and struggle to find childcare for my son and it's so hard to work when he's at home. The school keep changing things, they've only just lengthened the school day which was a nightmare because I had to change my working hours after already arguing for flexible working.

Feel like I'm in overwhelm.

Any advice for covering school holidays would be greatly appreciated.

I've just had a call to say he's been sick at school so can't go back in until next week. I'm travelling to a conference tomorrow. I'm going to explode!

It's really shit, having young kids and being working parents is so hard. It's like there's a big gap in the system where working parents are really not catered for. People trying to keep careers and not have time off, it's so hard. I count myself lucky the grandparents insited on supporting us for this reason.

Is the second half term week balances by a shorter summer holiday?
DS school does this. Works well as a break in the long term. But less than 6 weeks in summer And no random days off in term time so easier to plan.
Can you request flexible working and condensed hours in holidays?

Does he qualify for free school meals? In our borough, all children on free school meals have free access to holiday activities, often a weeks worth of childcare. Definitely look into what you're entitled to.

UC will pay £80% of childcare costs

Can you not get 70-80% childcare paid as a working single parent by tax credits or UC or whatever that element is now called?

DS’s school does this - two weeks at summer half term. It’s to reduce absence apparently as parents are supposed to go away then. They don’t have any inset days anywhere else in the year. It drives me mad, we can’t go away as we have children in other schools, and because it’s not a standard holiday there are no holiday clubs available, so it’s really hard to cover.

I manage by using clubs or taking unpaid parental leave. Is that an option @Terracata

I would look for a local uni student to help you out for the week

It's incredibly tough. I feel for you. 30k and weeks of childcare to find and fund is very hard.

My sons special school does this. Basically, paid for childcare will most likely only be available in the week that lots of schools are off, unless your school puts on something special.

I would start by writing and asking that they organise a childcare letting for that week and consider the cost to parents when looking at a provider. Pointing out that there won't be lots of different options for parents who are price sensitive. Eg in my area the church will run a free morning play session which helps if you work from home, but they do it when all the schools are off not just some.

good luck. I'm not surprised you are frustrated.

You have a years notice to save £200.

I live in a city but there are lots of free holiday clubs available for children on free school meals... Usually 9-3. They tend to be undersubscribed so I wonder if you could have a word with your school or social worker and see if they could support a referral to these?

These sorts of things are extremely unlikely to run when most schools are not on holiday.

Any church groups?
Cubs/scout weeks?
Swaps with other parents?
Au pair?

Our Academy trialed this last October-was sold to parents and staff as follows: Able to book a cheaper holiday as it would be normal term term elsewhere ( until it is rolled out nationally ) and to shorten the term for mental health and wellbeing of both staff and pupils ( in a bid to stop absence due to sickness etc) As support staff it means an extra 10 minutes either side of our school day and our lunch has been cut from 50 minutes to 30 ( Teachers and pupils not affected) Pupils have 10 mins extra a day at school.
I personally would prefer a shorter summer break say 4 weeks and use the other 2 added onto other holidays