Childminder to cover summer holidays from nursery

[dazedandconfused]

I am planning to move DS to a really nice Local Authority nursery. However, I'm concerned about the lengthy school holidays (not until 2007), as I work part-time and DH and I won't be able to cover this period with our own holidays. Does anyone else employ a childminder to cover the Summer Holidays only? I'd be interested to hear of how best to do this, and whether it will work?! We have a back-up plan of a nursery open all year, but it's not as nice...

Well I do it - but it costs a lot (as it prevents me having a child for the whole year)

If you could find a C/Mer with termtime only children that might be cheaper

I don't suppose you're anywhere near Cambridge? I can help

www.sueschildminding.co.uk

Sorry this is the link
Sue's Childminding

Thanks, ayla99. Unfortunately, I'm in Glasgow-your website looks great. Is there a network of childminders?

I also care for children in the school holidays only, but I charge the same hourly rate for everyone.

You can find the childminders in your area here

i have lots of term time children so if you could find somebody like me near you it should be fine BUT i have two school aged children so i tend to book hols in school hol time so children dont miss school this could be difficult for you but you can only try

Until your DS starts full-time school, he would count as an Under 5, and msot CMs are pretty full with under 5s, which is where the difficulty lies, unless you can match with someone who wants term-time only.

You may be able to employ a student (uni / teacher training / childcare) if you can find someone suitable, or may find someone who works at the nursery would like some holiday work (at least one of the staff at our nursery likes to do some holiday work, and prefers p/t). It may be that the holiday weeks cost you a lot more in chilcare that you would like, but balance out in the long term. You and DH could also take some of your unpaid parental leave (you each can claim 4 weeks per year).

Also, you may find a temporary place in the other nursery over the hols, not ideal though.

Personally I would go with the nicer nursery, and wing it in the hols using one or - probably several - of the ideas here. I would also spend lots of time feeling nervous that it was all going to fall apart, though.

Thanks for your help - some useful suggestions and links. I think you're right Hamandcheese: I'm sure I will spend lots of time worrying, but it feels worth it to get the right place. I will follow up the links and hope that I am lucky and find someone suitable.