summer childcare for preschoolers

[poppytin]

Hi all,

My son is 3.5 years old and is currently in a preschool which will close for summer by end of July. He's due to start reception in September. We'll have 5 weeks of no school and we don't know what to do with him as both my partner and myself still have to work. I've looked up on summer childcare but they're mostly for bigger kids. He's our first child so I've got no experience of summer childcare. Please let me know your experience.

Many thanks

If you look up the Family Information Service for your area they should let you know what is in your area.

Do contact the school too as many have staggered starts, my dd wasn't full time until after the first half term, it was lots of half/short days. If your school is doing this then maybe finding a childminder over the summer is the way to go, hopefully you could arrange things to continue during that starting time.

local day nurseries will often take children for just a few weeks, especially if they have funded children leaving
just ring a few and ask

Also try asking the preschool itself what people do - it's not as if you're asking about something that nobody else will have experienced! they should have some good ideas.

We used a holiday club until mid-August, then a childminder until mid-October because school was only 2 hours a day for first few weeks. We found out that holiday clubs take preschoolers from 4yo but normally are not open in the 2nd half of August.

Have a look on your local Family Information Service for a childminder - one may have a space for your son. As a childminder I care for 2 children who are term time only. I am happy to fill those spaces during the hols with ad hoc contracts. Good luck