Child care options for half-term breaks and School Holidays - what do you do?

[GreenGables]

For the last few years I have been studying, so school hols etc were not a problem because I was off when they were, and before that I had x-DP at home to help out with child care and both children were in day care anyway, so there was no such thing as school hols. I am looking for work now (have an interview at the end of the week) and have just realised that DD9 and DD6 are going to need looking after out of term - eek! What do I do?!

bump

My mum is helping out.

Some childminders have spaces because if they are looking after teachers' children, they do it only term-time. Or sometimes local schools run holiday play schemes

I like the idea of them going to a childminder - I hadn't thought of childminders having space due to teachers! Thank you.

Mum isn't an option unfortunately. I have considered sending the DC to relatives for a week at a time...

Or try (if it suits you) to get a job that allows Term Time only woking. The Civil Service for example.

Working rather!

Sorry to sound so ignorant, but how do I go about that HF?

And would I get pay during the periods that I am not working?

lots of holiday clubs
take some holiday, dh takes some holiday (different days)
work from home if possible
work part time and do some extra days in term time in lieu for days off in school holidays
look after friends children one day, they do another day
etc etc...

You would only be paid for the hours you work - it would be roughly 80% pay.

www.careers.civil-service.gov.uk/

I take some annual leave. Ex husband takes some annual leave. I flex my hours (this week I am doing alot of hours in only 3 days)
And whilst I am working when not with ex husband ds is at a holiday club. It's not ideal but it's what we have.

We are fortunate in a way as my mum has them at half terms while I work and twice in the summer hols for a few days at a time. I work part-time and the rest of it DH and I split betwen us with annual leave.

I don't think this particular job is the type of job that I can take work home with me or have flexi hours. Holiday clubs are something to look at, but do they work out horrendously expensive?

Greengables, holiday clubs do work out horribly expensive. We try to limit them for two reasons. It isn't ds first choice to be there from 8.30-5.30 and it is so expensive but it is our only choice sadly.

OK so my possibilities list currently looks something like this:

• Childminder
• Family
• Holiday Clubs

Thank you.

Sometimes, largely in the summer hols, I will have friends children/child for a days 'playdate' & this is reciprocated giving me an extra day at work without paying for childcare.