As awesome as it is to see the kids get excited for the school holidays, there’s also the very real issue clouding over their break – what on earth are you supposed to do with them?

Not all parents have the luxury of taking time off to look after their kids every holiday break. So here are your basic childcare options, what to consider for the upcoming holidays, and how to make a game plan. 

Your options for holiday childcare

• Enlist the family – that’s what grandparents, aunties and uncles are for, right?
• Hire a private sitter to come to your home each day
• School holiday camps – send the kids away for a fun and educational retreat
• Vacation care – some schools run holiday programs on site during normal ‘school hours’
• Band together with other parents and take turns babysitting a group of kids
• Talk to your boss about working from home
• Take paid or unpaid leave from work

What to consider for childcare over the holidays

• Your budget: Ideally, you won’t have to give up your holidays just to pay for theirs
• Local options: Some areas offer more group care than others
• Your work situation: Is it possible to take advantage of flexible hours?
• What the kids want: They might not get exactly what they’re after, but it’s worth asking them first
• Worker skills and qualifications: When weighing up options for childcare, sitter or camp care, ask about the experience, skills and qualifications of staff
• The experience: What do you want your child to get from the break? Education, relaxation time, socialisation, fun, or a mix?

How to plan for the break

• Start early: Many camps and private sitters book out months in advance
• Get your leave application in at work ASAP in case multiple parents ask for time off over the same period
• If your child will attend a new camp or location, take them for a visit before the first day of holidays
• If you plan for family to look after the kids, be sure to help financially and with a few suggestions for activities so the burden isn’t all on them