5 vacation care strategies for working parents

School holidays. Two words that send kids into celebration mode and working parents straight to the calendar.

With roughly 12 weeks of school holidays to cover each year, compared with the four weeks of annual leave many full-time employees receive, keeping everyone happy (and supervised) takes some organising.

Fortunately, you don't have to spend the entire break playing holiday camp coordinator. From vacation care programs to sharing the load with other parents, here are five ways to make school holidays work for the whole family.

1.  Make the most of vacation care programs

If your child already attends before or after school care, their service might offer vacation care during the holidays, too.

Vacation care is part of Outside School Hours Care (OSHC), sometimes called OOSH. Programs typically cater to school-aged children and can include everything from creative activities and outdoor games to special excursions.

What can children do at vacation care?

Depending on the service, activities might include:

• Creative days: Painting, craft, music, drama and cooking.
• Active adventures: Sports, obstacle courses, group games and outdoor play.
• Excursions: Trips to museums, cinemas, playgrounds or local attractions.
• Special visitors: Science workshops, wildlife presentations and other incursions.
• Free play: Time to relax, make friends and choose their own activities.

Not every day needs to be action-packed. A good program should also give children opportunities to unwind, particularly after a busy school term.

How much does vacation care cost?

Fees vary between providers and locations. Some services charge extra for excursions, meals or special activities, so ask for the full fee schedule before booking.

Eligible families may receive the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) when using an approved vacation care service. Your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your circumstances and the service's fees.

You can check your eligibility through Services Australia.

Parent tip: Popular vacation care programs can book out quickly, especially on excursion days. Check the holiday calendar early and secure the sessions you need.

2. Share the load with other parents

One parent takes Monday, another covers Tuesday, and suddenly the school holiday calendar looks a little less terrifying.

Sharing childcare with trusted friends or other families can be a practical option, particularly when everyone has limited annual leave.

How to make a holiday care swap work

Before committing, agree on a few basics:

• Dates and times: Who's looking after the children, and when?
• Numbers and ages: Can the supervising adult comfortably manage the group?
• Food and expenses: Will families contribute to meals, activities or outings?
• Transport: Who handles pick-ups, drop-offs and appropriate car restraints?
• Safety: Discuss allergies, medical needs, emergency contacts and supervision expectations.
• Activities: Have a few ideas ready, but allow plenty of downtime.

It also helps when the children already know each other. A full day together is very different from a quick playdate after school!

If you're parenting with a partner, another option is to alternate annual leave days rather than taking the same weeks off.

3. Call on other child carers or grandparents

Not everyone has grandparents around the corner or relatives who can help. But if you have trusted family members available, even one regular day each week can make a difference.

And when family support isn't possible, there are other options worth exploring.

School holiday childcare alternatives

• Grandparent or kinship care gives children familiar faces and a relaxed home environment, which can make the holidays feel less disruptive.
• Nannies provide care in your home and may be able to work longer hours or look after several siblings at once.
• Babysitters are useful for occasional days or shorter periods when other arrangements fall through
• Family day care: Some registered educators provide care for school-aged children during the holidays, subject to availability and service arrangements.

Before booking, check the carer's experience, availability, fees and suitability for your child's needs.

Remember that CCS eligibility depends on the type of care and whether the service is approved. Private nanny and babysitting arrangements generally don't qualify for standard CCS.

4. Book a school holiday workshop

For children who have spent the entire term talking about gymnastics, dinosaurs or becoming the next big football star, school holiday workshops can be a welcome change.

Depending on your location, you might find:

• Sports clinics and swimming programs
• Art, pottery and craft workshops
• Coding, robotics and science camps
• Dance, drama and music programs
• Nature-based activities and outdoor adventure days

Check the hours before you book

A three-hour art workshop might be brilliant for your child, but less helpful if you're working nine to five. Check whether the program offers full-day supervision, extended hours or a suitable arrangement for pick-up and drop-off.

Also confirm the age requirements, cancellation policy and what's included in the cost.

5. Fill the gaps with free and low-cost activities

Not every school holiday memory needs a ticket, a booking or a $45 entry fee.

If you're taking leave, sharing care with another parent or planning activities for a family member, there are plenty of ways to keep children occupied without spending a fortune.

Ten budget-friendly school holiday activities

1. Turn the lounge room into a cinema with homemade popcorn.
2. Create a backyard obstacle course.
3. Head to the library for storytime or holiday workshops.
4. Organise a neighbourhood scavenger hunt.
5. Visit a local museum or gallery with free admission.
6. Set up a craft station using recycled materials.
7. Have a picnic at a new playground.
8. Host a board game tournament.
9. Explore a nature trail and make a nature journal.
10. Let the kids plan a themed day at home.

Check your local council and library websites, too. Many publish school holiday activity calendars featuring free or affordable events.

How to plan school holiday care without the last-minute panic

The easiest approach is usually a combination of care arrangements rather than relying on one solution for the entire break.

Start with the days you absolutely need childcare, then work around your budget, leave availability and your child's interests. A simple weekly planner can help you see which days are covered, where the gaps are and what still needs booking. And, don't forget to leave room for a few gloriously uneventful days. School holidays are a break for children, after all.

Need to organise school holiday care? Explore vacation care services on Care for Kids.