Half-term childcare
With another half-term fast approaching, parents with school aged children are faced with the dilemma of what to do about half- term childcare. With schools closed, parents need to find ways to keep their children entertained and engaged while they are at work.
Half-term childcare can be tricky for working parents for several reasons. One of the main challenges is finding a suitable option that aligns with the working schedule. Many parents may need childcare for extended hours during the school holidays, which can be difficult to find.
Working parents may not have the flexibility to take time off during the break, making it challenging to find a solution that works for them. Finding a trusted, reliable and affordable childcare during half-term can be a daunting task, as demand is often high, and availability can be limited.
Another challenge is the cost, as childcare during school holidays can be more expensive than regular childcare. This can put a financial strain on working parents who are already dealing with the added expenses of the holiday season. Half-term childcare can be a tricky and stressful task for working parents, as they have to balance their work obligations with the need to find a safe, reliable, and affordable childcare option for their children.
We explore some of the most popular half-term childcare options:
Holiday camps
There are a lot of organisations who offer holiday camps during half-term that provide children with a variety of activities such as sports, arts, and crafts, and other educational activities. These camps are a great way for children to stay active and make new friends.
They can be a great way to provide children with a sense of structure and routine during the break, which can help to prevent boredom and keep them occupied.
Holiday camps offer an opportunity for children to make new friends and socialise with their peers, which can be beneficial for their overall development. It’s important to research the camps available and select one that matches with your child’s interests and abilities. They often prove to be very popular and tend to book up very quickly. Cost wise they can be an expensive option especially if you need extended hours.
Family and friends
Using family and friends to help with half-term childcare can be a great option if you have family and friends close by who are able to accommodate ad-hoc care. Not only does it provide a sense of security and familiarity for the child, but it can also be a cost-effective solution.
Family members and friends may be more flexible with their schedules and willing to work with you on rates and it can be a great opportunity for your child to spend quality time with loved ones and strengthen relationships. It is always important to communicate clearly with family and friends about your expectations and boundaries, and to make sure that everyone is comfortable with the arrangement. However, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case something unexpected happens.
Bubble
With over 130,000 users and 2 million hours of childcare requested via the platform, Bubble is a trusted community that allows you to connect with friendly, local babysitters and nannies.
Bubble is fully flexible, so you don’t have to commit to a rigid schedule or a certain number of hours or days. So if you just need childcare for three or four hours for example then you can post your job on the app and sitters will apply.
This works perfectly for one-off and ad-hoc occasions and for the half-term childcare period (though there is also the option to look for ‘regular help,’ too if you want childcare to cover a specific period of time each day / week).
You can book at relatively short notice so it’s perfect as a half-term childcare option. If childcare is required that week then it’s just a case of posting the job including the time and date and then waiting for sitters to come forward.
All sitters are fully verified and you can read reviews that other parents have written and also read the sitters’ profiles before you make your decision.
The app is available on both iOS and Android. For more information, go to www.joinbubble.com.
If you are a working parent there is no need to feel guilty about using half-term childcare. There are lots of options out there and it’s important to find a solution that works for you and fits with the needs of you and your family.
