As a working, single parent of an energetic 11 year old, I am familiar with the challenges of trying to arrange childcare through the summer school holiday. So far it has been a glorious summer, definitely one to remember and not just for the weather. The range of emotions experienced in a family from the pure glee of the children because it is the holidays, to sometimes the complete dread of the parents having to juggle work, childcare and household chores.

Organisation

It comes down to organisation say many parents. Often parents have relatives who are ready and willing  to pitch in a helping hand over the summer holidays. What if you don’t have relatives to organise? Well, an obvious option is taking annual leave over the summer holidays. Parent shifting is when both parents decide not to take holiday at the same time but coordinate holiday “shifts”, so when one parent is finishing holiday,  the next parent begins their holiday. Single parents will struggle with this but we could consider shifting with a friend in a similar situation.

How to Plug the Gap

This probably won’t cover the holidays entirely so how could we plug the gaps? Preferably with something flexible, affordable and widely available. This link will take you to the government’s website, and lists all clubs and childcare schemes in your area. You can even use tax credits and childcare vouchers to pay for some of them. https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting/childcare Enter your postcode and you will be directed to the web page for your local borough council.

Also try the following:

www.yoopies.co.uk For DBS checked child carers in your area.

https://www.granny-aupair.com/en If you prefer someone with more experience.

https://studentnannies.com/ They even offer to help with homework too.

Flexible Working

When it comes to the working week, there is rarely a one size fits all, and so many parents simply don’t work Monday to Friday 9-5. Some of us need a solution for early mornings, late evenings and weekends too. If your children are under 16, you have the right to ask your employer for flexible work arrangements over the holidays. They don’t have to agree of course but here at BoxerFM, we feel helping our staff is important. We will seriously consider all options and only reject an idea with a good reason. Some of the requests have included part-time hours, flexi-time, shared working, staggered hours, term only, work from home, certain days and half days.

Back to School

At Boxer FM we are trying to understand the challenges of arranging childcare through summer holidays and school closures. We certainly get the excitement everyone is feeling for when schools reopen!

We are even helping schools to prepare for reopening by ensuring they are fully sanitised and safe for the new school term to begin. We understand that flexible working has become necessary due to COVID-19 and may stay with us for a while. We would like to wish all students far and wide, a great start to the Autumn term...and their parents too!