school holiday child minding??

[Mmamadness]

I am recently separated from my ex-partner with two children, aged 3 and 1.

I have absolutely no idea who is going to look after them during the school holidays while I am at work. Their dad is refusing to look after them during the summer holidays, and will only look after them for one week of each term (my 3 year old gets 2 weeks off in may, for instance, and he will only watch him for one out of those 2 weeks).

I have strategically planned my holidays to work around theirs, however, I've used all of my holiday entitlement up and still have 6 weeks with noone to care for them.

What/who do you use for cchildcare during half term / summer holidays? Where do you find these people (websites, etc) and how much does it cost?

I have no family able to care for them while I'm at work due to them all working full time themselves.

Thanks

I don’t understand; surely they are too young to be at school anyway?

We had ours in private nursery at that age so open all year round.

Where do they go while you are working? Can they just not go there? They’re both too little for school.

They Aren't in school, they're both in a private nursery that closes for half-term and school holidays.

They go to a private nursery but at present, but it isn't open during half term.

New nursery that isn’t closed for school holidays

Find another nursery.

I don't understand why everyone thinks I'm implying they go to school, lol. Obviously they do not go to school at that age, they are both in a private nursery that closes for half term and summer holidays.

You’ll have to get a short term nanny

The nursery sounds rubbish! Find a different one that is open year round.

Given their ages Nanny or childminder. Holiday clubs are usually only open for children in reception upwards.
Are you aware of your employments parental leave policy? This can create extra leave entitlement but won't necessarily be paid

Most people who don't work term time and have no support use nurseries that have the option to do all year round. Ours is a private nursery that has either option available. Is that an option for you? If you're going to have to pay babysitter rates it's going to cost a fortune - perhaps a child minder with availability? You can also take some unpaid leave (they legally have to give it to you but there is a max) in full week blocks. We are considering a mix of this and holiday clubs once ours start reception

Both my kids love it there, it is disappointing that it's not open over half term; I didn't realise others actually were!

I'm just worried about moving my elder child as he has autism, and does NOT deal well with change. I'm worried about moving him to a new nursery now, then having to move him again when he goes to primary school.

I'm considering just hiring a nanny but I'm worried about the expense.

Thanks

I think that nursery just isn’t suitable for your needs. Great if you are a teacher/ work in a school and have holidays off but not otherwise. Kids get 13 weeks holiday a year. I get 6 plus some bank holidays.

I think nanny is probably your best bet. Or you could try taking some unpaid parental leave. Depending on what you earn vs the cost of a nanny, one might be a better option than the other. But I do agree with everyone else that a nursery that isn’t term time only is best as they’re going to be too young for things like summer activity clubs.

it is disappointing that it's not open over half term; I didn't realise others actually were!

How bizarre! So what have you been doing for childcare for 13 weeks a year up till now?

Unless you work in education then a nursery that is only open term time is no good to you. You need a nursery that is open all the time. Most are.
Who has been looking after your 3 year old before now?

You might be able to find a child minder who can do a school holiday only contract, they may have an existing parent who doesn’t need holiday cover. It doesn’t sound like a term time only nursery fits your needs so you might need to look at alternatives. Believe it or not these are the easy years, expensive but it’s much harder once one starts school and you’re trying to juggle short days and long holidays.