Preschool holiday childcare

[Waggamamma]

Now we're nearly over the easter break I'm starting to think towards summer ans childcare for my 3 year old. Wondering if anyone on here can suggest a good solution.

I need childcare from 2:30pm-5:30pm one day a week, for 6 weeks over the holidays. Dp and I are both completely out of annual leave covering other holidays (and I go on mat leave mid august).

Local childminders don't seem interested in these hours. MIL can do the odd week but not cover it all. My normal childcare on this day is term time only. Friends might help but I really don't want to burden them as they all have their own small children.

Any suggestions?

Would you consider one full day a week at the childminder in order to get the care you need?

They won't be interested in a 2.30 start because of wanting to be out and about, rather than cutting picnics short to get back to recive your child

If you happen to be near north/east Surrey and need a Friday I may be able to help. I am a nanny with my own 18 month old. If not then you may be able to find a part time nanny who doesn't work the day you need who would be happy to cover those hours for the six weeks. Advertise on your local netmums/gumtree.

*receive

Thanks full day at childminder isn't really an option as it doesn't make financial sense. We just can't afford it.

Unfortunately nowhere near Surrey - Scotland!

I think you'd be best with an afternoon session at a day nursery.

Afternoon sessions usually start at 1.30pm, it may come in useful if you need a bit of a break too when you start mat leave.

Some nurseries do have a minimum number of session a week, others are more flexible.

Around (South Bucks) a couple of pre-schools offer holiday childcare up to the age of 8, so might be worth ringing round to see.

If you're really stuck you could register with sitters, they usually have daytime childcare available, but you may end up with a different sitter each week.

have you considered an afternoon session in a day nursery

Thanks. Yeh the day nursery's near us won't take a temporary contract as we we only need 5-6weeks care and they have minimum ten hour contracts as well, so too expensive.

I think I'm just going to have to shuffle him between friends houses and MIL.

I remember going to holiday clubs as a child, does such a thing exist for 3yr olds?

I think that many day nurseries would be glad to provide afternoon care for six weeks in the holidays. Afternoon slots tend to be under subscribed and people often are on holiday. Its a pity you aren't down south in England as there would be loads of options in my town.

Why don't you post on the mumsnet local board. There might be someone near you who could suggest a solution.

"I remember going to holiday clubs as a child, does such a thing exist for 3yr olds?"

Such clubs certainly exist in my town. I suppose that England is more densely populated than scotland so there are more options. Which town do you live in. Prehaps we can surf the web for you and have a look. I find it hard to believe that Scotland is that far behind England in childcare provision.

Holiday clubs for children round our way are for school age (actually from age 5) dcs, they don't take preschoolers, or yrR.

Have you considered a summer au pair? They would do more hours that that each week ( around 20) which might help if on maternity as you could rest other times or they can babysit odd evening if you wanted to go out.
No idea of cost in Scotland but at a guest £80 plus a spare room and food etc

Could you start maternity leave slightly earlier so you at least have a few less weeks to find care for?
Or maybe try a local college, a student might be happy to do an afternoon a week for a bit of pocket money.

May suit a local teenager/student. Any friends have older teens?

Our holiday play scheme takes children from age 3 upwards, although actually most of the children are primary school aged (unless part of sibling groups) as that is when they tend to hear about it through friends that attend. the sort of hours you need are no problem either, its just we are based in the SE of England but maybe there is something similar near where you are.

I second the local teenager/babysitter option. Maybe even a university student home for the summer holidays. It would be useful for the future too if you ever want to go out for the evening.