Stressing About Summer Holiday Childcare? These Are Your Options

Summer holiday childcare - what's your plan?If you’re worried about how you’re going to navigate childcare and work over the six-week break, you’re certainly not alone.A new survey by International Workplace Group (IWG) found 58% of parents are stressed about being able to afford sufficient cover ahead of the upcoming summer holidays.Over half are having to use annual leave to balance childcare – with one in 10 saying they’re having to use up all of their annual leave to look after their kids. Meanwhile 6% are taking unpaid leave. Many parents are also set to adjust their working patterns to manage childcare, with a third (36%) saying they need to reduce their working hours. One fifth (21%) plan to log on early in the mornings or late at night to make up for time spent looking after kids during the day.The struggle is particularly real for those with young children – three-quarters (76%) of parents with kids under the age of seven are worrying about balancing childcare and work during the holidays. What childcare options do parents have?A separate study by Working Families found less than half of parents (45%) can easily access the formal childcare they need. As a result, the charity has provided advice on what options parents have over the summer break: 1. Check your entitlementsFirst things first, make sure you’re getting all the financial support you’re entitled to. IWG’s survey suggested parents are set to spend an additional £675 on childcare this year thanks to rising costs.Check your options on Childcare Choices, and that you’re receiving the right amount of benefits using the online benefits calculator.If you don’t usually qualify for Universal Credit, you may be eligible with increased childcare costs during the holidays. (Working Families has a helpful guide to Universal Credit and childcare costs here.)2. Know your rightsAlongside your statutory right to annual leave, parents of children under 18 can legally request unpaid parental leave, so long as you have been with your employer for a year.You can take up to four weeks per child per year. Find out more about eligibility and conditions in the charity’s parental leave guide. You also have the right to request flexible working, either formally or informally. When making a request, consider what arrangement would suit you best, such as annualised hours, flexi-time, term-time working, and make it clear whether you’re requesting a temporary or permanent arrangement. Lastly, if your childcare arrangements fall through during the holidays, you are legally entitled to ‘Time off for Dependants’, or ‘Emergence Family Leave’ to manage the situation. 3. Check your workplace policiesBe sure to check what policies your workplace has in place, whether that’s around dependents leave or flexible working, as it may be more generous than the statutory provision. 4. Find out what’s free locallyMany councils and community organisations offer free activities and holiday schemes. Check with your local Family Information Service.If your child gets free school meals, you may be able to access the Holidays Activities and Food programme (HAF). Check with your local council to see what’s available and secure a place. 5. Rope in your relativesIf you’re lucky enough to have relatives locally who can help, it’s definitely worth having a chat to see if they’re free to help – even if they come to your home and watch the kids while you WFH. 6. Team up with other parentsGrouping together with other parents means you can provide cover for each other on the days you need childcare. 7. Stretch out free childcareIf you’re receiving 30 hours of free childcare, your childcare provider may allow you to stretch your entitlement so you receive fewer hours each week but get the hours during the holidays, advises Working Families. 8. Consider paid childcare optionsIf all else fails, it might be worth looking into a childminder, nanny or local summer camps and services. Best of luck!Related...'My Husband Said We'd Split Childcare, Now He Wants Me To Be A Stay-At-Home Mum'Parents Of Special Educational Needs Children Are Being Let Down By Lack Of Wraparound ChildcareMum Shares What Childcare Is Like In Norway And We're Trying Not To Cry

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