School holiday childcare

crockpot

Hi

I have an interview for a job next week!!!

But job is afternoons and would need to put my 2 primary school aged boys into childcare in the school holidays.

Have not even had the interview yet and am panicing about it.

Never had to do it before as my hubbie and I shared childcare, but the credit crunch has bitten and his job has changed and I lost mine.

But it seems a nightmare.

Have looked at childminders but they take their holidays in school holidays,looked at playscheme but alot are for over 8`s and youngest is only 7.

Any ideas?

Krystaltips

Do you live near a childrens centre? They generally offer childcare for primary age children before / after school and during school holidays...

Spendless

Where I am it's the leisure centre 'camps' that only take from 8 and they aren't registered childcare providers (so you wouldn't get help with childcare costs from tax credits/childcare vouchers).

Look at schools that have 'wrap-round' care (breakfast/after-school/holiday club). These will often take children from different schools in the hols if they have spaces. We also have private nurseries that run holiday schemes for children upto 11.

Use this link to see what's available in your area.

http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/

Good luck with the interview.

crockpot

Would not get any help through tax credits for childcare- already looked on entilited too, but employer does have childcare vouchers.

Just found a local school which does a playscheme but no email, so will have to ring them when school goes back, I need to know whats out there.

Thanks

Penny_Watcher

Does your children's primary school have after school clubs and holiday clubs? I use to use the one at my children's old school. The kids didn't enjoy it much ("But why do we have to go to school in the holidays") but needs must sometimes.

dieselhead

I would look into the student option, when I was doing my A levels I spent a couple of summers looking after kids that I had baby sat for. They were primary age so not too much work, we stayed at their house all day and it was just a case of me supervising them and playing with them. Now I come to remember I was paid and absolute pittance! I think about £100 for 4 weeks child care as they went on holiday with their parents the other 2 weeks. But at 17 I though that it was brilliant.

So if you have any local older teens that babysit for you or even any students returning from uni (getting summer work will be much harder this year) then that may be an option for you.

crockpot

Thanks for all that.

Not sure if holiday playschemes will be any good? I need childcare from 11am so would have to pay for a full day, just had a quote of £33.25 for both-they will take any childcare vouchers and can pick and choose days.

Spoken to a childminder who will charge by the hour, but will be on hols for 2 weeks of 6 weeks hols, plus would chargeme 1/2 when we are away for a week at then of hols.

Thanks again