Summer/school break Camps?

[JoTheUnsure]

Can anyone recommend any clubs or camps that 'take care' of children during the school breaks?

My DH and I both work and are at a bit of a loss what to do with our DS5 during the school breaks. The grand parents are a great help but we can't ask them to look after him for all the breaks.

The majority of parents I see at the school gates don't appear to work (lucky them)... and I'm quite happy to ask if a friend can help out for the odd days, or share responsibility - but this isn't a long term solution.

I do know of one summer camp and am thinking of booking DS in, but I was just wondering what other parents do (for 10 weeks of the year when you only get 4 weeks annual leave!).

Are your local leisure centre doing anything? ours have sports clubs that run 9-4 but with breakfast and tea clubs too, they're not too expensive either (as far as childcare goes)

Also try contacting your local council, they will often be running things. Sometimes they offer lots of small sessions which will not help you but they might be able to put you in touch with others.

Day nurseries and crèches sometimes have holiday clubs too, and if a childminder has a space she may be willing to offer it to you on a short term basis

This wont be much help for a couple of years but bear PGL in mind once ds is 7. They are great but pricey as a childcare solution (not so bad if you think of it as a holiday!)

I've tried all the above and they've all worked ok at the time, depends on what hours you need and what's available

Good luck!

Tricky as DS is only 5 but enquire around locally as many churches put on holiday club activities, often free of charge. But once DS gets to 8, and for others reading this are faintly dreading the onset of the 6 weeks holidays then I whole heartedly recommend checking out "A.T.E Superweeks" (just google it). They are the fabbiest residential holidays for 8 - 16yrs around, very competitive price-wise, and will occupy your children in the most wholesome, creative, imaginative way all day, every day for 7 whole days. (no evening pick up from childminders, 7 evenings and a whole weekend to yourself) Remember those halcyon carefree,childhood days where televisions, PSPs, cables, mouses (?,)and USB points were unheard of and we made our own entertainment? Well they can still be experienced on ATE Superweeks. Have a look. Take a pal? Make a booking. You won't be disappointed.

What did he do as a preschooler? If you used a nursery then, he might be delighted to go back for a bit if they run a holiday club (costs a fortune, but it's only for a few weeks).

Umm, Syb3r, if that's not an advert, it certainly reads like one...

we use barracudas and x-keys. We've used Barracudas since DS was 4.5yo, and he's always loved it.