Holiday childcare for 10-12 year olds...

[minko]

What do you do with kids this age when you go to work?? I work 9-4 every day and at present my kids go to holiday play schemes in the holidays but my DD is 10 and starting to get fed up with always being the oldest. So I won't know what to do with her next summer!

Suggestions welcome... many thanks

One of our local private schools runs a play scheme up to 14

It does get tricky when kids get older although I am surprised that at 10 your dd is already one of the oldest. Maybe you need to try a different playscheme as I managed to get my kids to go happily until end of primary school. Otherwise, what about getting a local student to come to your house and look after your kids there? In the past, I have had students and also a TA who was on holiday from school. Depending on how much the playschemes cost though, it can be an expensive option.

Playschemes cost me just under £50 a day... don't suppose I'd get anyone for that sort of money! I've found a holiday scheme that does up to 12 year olds, but not sure what happens after that!!? At what age can you just leave them on their own??

DS goes to a sports activity 'camp' that runs through to teenagers and then 'rookies' - those that want effectively to get a foot on the rung to be sports coach / play scheme leaders etc when they're older. DS is only 8 at the moment, but I see significantly older children attending.

Similarly, you might find there is a music or drama week that would be good - and I have also recently seen a local watersports centre does various activities during the summer.

It was quite expensive, but we got temporary nannies in over the summer holidays, choosing someone who was quite young and energetic and would take them out on trips, walks, picnics etc suitable for their age. They all had a great time. I never had any difficulty finding someone nice through local agency who I made friends with.