When school holidays arrive, often working mums and busy parents everywhere are doing a collective head tilt, wondering, "How do I get through this without losing my mind (or my job)?" Don’t stress! With a little planning, a dash of creativity, and a solid understanding of the options available to you, managing school holidays can become a whole lot easier.
We’ve pulled together practical tips, creative ideas, and essential information to help you plan. From vacation care solutions to school holiday activities for preschoolers, consider this your survival guide to juggling work and play.
Start Planning Early
There’s an old saying for busy parents, "Failing to plan is planning to… scramble at the last minute." Okay, maybe that’s not the saying, but you get the idea. Advance planning is the key to a smoother, stress-free holidays. Here’s what you can do:
- Mark the holidays: Sync school holiday dates with your calendar.
- Book vacation care: Many programs fill up quickly. Lock in your spots as soon as bookings open.
- Coordinate with other parents: Whether it’s swapping care days or organising group playdates, working with fellow busy parents can save the day and your sanity.
Pro tip:
When booking vacation care or activities, keep a flexible mindset. It’s okay to mix and match solutions, like a few days of care with a couple of home days.
Vacation Care Options for School-Aged Kids
Vacation care, also known as out-of-school-hours care (OSHC), is a lifesaver for working mums and dads. These programs are designed to keep kids entertained, educated, and well-supervised while parents work. Here’s what you need to know:
- Varied programs: Vacation care offers everything from themed days to excursions like trips to the zoo or local parks.
- Flexible hours: Most centres operate between 7 AM and 6 PM, accommodating traditional work hours.
- Eligibility: While these programs are perfect for school-aged children, younger preschoolers may not be eligible.
- Cost and subsidies: Rates depend on the activities planned, but your Child Care Subsidy can help reduce costs.
Finding a Program Near You
Use online resources to find centres offering vacation care. Many schools host their own programs, but if yours doesn’t, nearby schools or community organisations like the YMCA often welcome external enrolments.
Options for Preschoolers
Preschool-aged children can be a little trickier when it comes to care during holidays. Since they don’t attend school, traditional vacation care isn’t typically available to them. But don’t worry, there are still options:
- Family Day Care (FDC): Many FDCs operate year-round with some flexible spots becoming available during holidays.
- Childcare centres: Centres often have more spaces available during school holidays for kids already enrolled or siblings of attendees.
- Occasional or flexible care programs: These are ideal for filling in spots when regular arrangements fall through.
The golden rule here? Communicate early with your child’s carers to understand their holiday schedules and availability.
Sharing the Load with Other Parents
If vacation care options are scarce or your budget is stretched, coordinating with other parents can be a win-win solution. It’s like a mini village coming together. Here’s how to make it work:
- Take turns hosting playdates or caring for a small group of kids.
- Match your child with their buddy to keep squabbles to a minimum.
- Share costs for park outings, craft supplies, or picnic treats.
The secret to harmonious care-sharing? Clear communication about routines, expectations, and schedules.
DIY School Holiday Activities for Preschoolers
Not every day needs to involve big plans or expensive activities. Some of the best school holiday activities for preschoolers take place right at home. Remember those childhood afternoons where time flew by with paper, glue, and your mum’s "borrowed" supplies? Here’s a little inspiration to recreate that magic:
- Arts and crafts: Make simple crafts like sock puppets, paper plate animals, or DIY slime (always a hit!).
- Backyard Olympics: Jump, tumble, and race in your own version of an Olympics.
- Treasure hunts: Hide everyday household items or get them to search for items beginning with certain letters.
- Dress-up drama: Gather costumes and props for some at-home theatre.
- Cooking days: Simple recipes like mini pizzas or cupcakes allow kids to join the fun while learning.
Pro tip:
Always have a ‘boredom buster’ kit stashed away. Include colouring books, stickers, craft supplies, and puzzles to whip out when you need a backup plan.
Low-Cost Outings
Family budgets can take a hit over the school holidays, especially with the growing costs of camps and excursions. However, keeping the kids busy doesn’t have to break the bank. Explore these affordable (or free) options:
- Go on a nature walk or explore a nearby picnic spot.
- Spend a morning at the library with story times and book borrowing.
- Visit local museums, many offer free or discounted admission for families.
- Head to a local pool or water park for splash-filled hours.
There’s plenty of adventure waiting outside, and it doesn’t need to cost a fortune.
Staying Sane as a Working Parent
Work doesn’t stop just because the school bell has rung its last note. For working mums and dads, holiday periods can overlap with some of the busiest times of the year. Juggling responsibilities requires strategic thinking:
- Flex your hours: Chat with your employer about options to shift or reduce hours temporarily.
- Work remotely (if possible): Many savvy working mums make great use of nap times or movie periods for getting things done.
- Set boundaries: Create a schedule that balances work and family time so neither feels neglected.
Keep in mind, school holidays are not only about survival but also about creating memories. Even if your time with the kids is limited, those seemingly small moments hold big meaning.
Conclusion
The secret to mastering school holidays as a working mum or busy parent lies in preparation and flexibility. By securing vacation care early, coordinating with other parents, and keeping a trove of easy activities on hand, you can keep kids entertained and happy without burning out. And remember, school holidays are a chance to bond, share laughs, and maybe even rediscover the fun of treasure hunts and dress-ups for yourself.
Here’s a tip: Planning for the next holiday break can start the day after this one ends. Trust us, future-you will be high-fiving yourself for being so organised.
Whether it's vacation care, simple at-home magic, or a combination of strategies, your kids don’t need perfection; they just need you.
