Have you planned your half-term childcare?

With the Halloween school half-term break almost upon us, for many working parents this is the first school break that they have had to try and figure out their holiday childcare plans. This can particularly be a strain for parents who use childcare provided by a school, such as breakfast and after school clubs, many of which are not available when the schools are closed.

For many working parents taking a few days off work may be a luxury that they cannot afford as they will not have annual leave to take time off for every time schools are closed and therefore have no choice but to find alternative childcare for their children during school holidays.

As well as the challenge of finding suitable childcare, families are faced with the additional expense of increased childcare costs during school holidays, which may include paying for childcare for older children who don’t require it during term-times.

Find out what financial support is available

There is help available with the cost of registered childcare, which can include some holiday schemes (provided they are registered childcare) as well as year-round providers such as registered childminders, out of school clubs and day nurseries. For example, parents may be able to use Universal Credit, Tax-Free Childcare, Childcare Vouchers or Tax Credits to help pay for childcare during school holidays. Now is a good time to make sure your family is receiving all the financial support you are entitled to.

Finding suitable childcare

The Family Support NI website www.familysupportni.gov.uk is a useful resource for families looking for registered childcare and includes a search function for all registered childcare providers across Northern Ireland, including holiday schemes.

Alternative working arrangements

Talk to your employer to see if they can facilitate alternative or flexible working patterns if you find it challenging to manage childcare over school holidays.

Flexible working arrangements can take various forms for example part-time working, compressed hours (working your agreed hours over fewer days), job sharing or term-time only working.

Further information

To find out more about what financial support you are entitled to, whether that is childcare over school holidays or throughout the year, contact our Family Benefits Advice Service on 028 9267 8200 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org.