School Holidays Childcare

[bowlofcornflakes]

Hi,

I have a 3 and 1 year old and am starting to think ahead to the future about going back to work when my son starts school next year.

Even if i manage to get a job that's either part time or with flexi hours i'm really struggling with what you do over the school holidays.

Are my only options to;
a. take turns with my husband in using annual leave to cover school holiday period?
b. ship them off to their grandparents?
c. put them in holiday clubs (these only seem to be for four and over)?

What do all you other working mums do?

Friends and I used to have each other's children.

Organise a network of mates.

Most of us worked shifts or part-time or some nights or something so that we could all contribute and help each other out.

Priceless and reassuring.

This was years ago and I'm glad those days are gone as it was very stressful but made so much better by the fact that we could count on each other.

IS your younger one going to a nursery/ CM which would also be able to have a holiday place for the older one? 4yos in full time school can quite often not count for numbers.

Yes i will use a b and c plus some help from and to friends. My 3 year old will still be at nursery though as his is a private nursery that doesnt shut in the holidays.

Its a bit of a mare but hoping to muddle through first summer holidays this year.

Have you tried childcarelink:

childcarefinder.direct.gov.uk/childcarefinder/
It gives information about all types of childcare.

When my children were younger my youngest one stayed at nursery and the older one went to playscheme (when one of us wasn't off). The Summer before my youngest started school we found a nursery that ran a playscheme in the holidays so both my children could be at the same place at the same time. Since they have got a bit bigger (nearly 8 and 10) we use the playscheme at the Leisure centre and they love it although they only take them from school age.
My next dilemma will be what to do when my eldest feels he is too old for playscheme, but hopefully that won't be for a few years yet!
MLx

I use a childminder. There are some just looking for work for holidays. She's great - takes my dc out on day trips a couple of times a week, to the cinema, park - all the sorts of things I would be doing if I wasn't working.