As most registered child minders take on extra children during the school holidays these could be stressful times.
When I was working as a child minder the school holidays were some of my favourite times. I did take extra children, some of the ones that I had looked after as babies would come back. Of course, I had to stay within the permitted number of children that I was registered to have, which was 6 under the age of 8 years plus on occasions I had one or two over the age of 8.
I used to start collecting junk for modelling in case wet weather made us stay indoors.
Basically I kept a large empty cardboard box in my utility room and would put anything suitable in it, such as empty cardboard boxes (many of these can be turned inside out so they can be painted)
the outer shiny sides won’t take paint but the plain insides will. Just cut down one side turn inside out then reconstruct joining together with masking tape (which can also be painted) I also collected the inner tubes from toilet and kitchen rolls, egg boxes and the tops from plastic milk bottles. Ribbon from presents also make great art and craft additions.
By starting to gather this together a few weeks before the schools break up you should have an ample supply when the children come.
I also bought a selection of wool from charity shops great for making pom-poms and woolly dolls ( see my earlier post for details).
I was always on the lookout for days out that don’t cost a small fortune, though I did charge the parents for entry fees, I felt guilty asking for more money from them on top of their regular minding fees.
One parent told me, however, that if I took her daughter out then they only had to pay for her were as if they went out as a family at the weekend they needed to pay admission for themselves too, so she saw me taking her out as a bargain! also because they only had the one child by coming out with me she had the company of the other children in my care.
A picnic in the park and time spent feeding the ducks or playing on the children’s equipment usually goes down well on a warm day.
Try to arrange to meet up with other child minders for days out if possible to give yourself some adult conversation and the children some other company.
Another tip is to borrow books from the library with ideas for arts and crafts activities, I bought a bag of felt quite cheaply from the market (felt is great as it doesn’t fray when cut) we made needle cases,
egg cosies and even a glasses case for one child’s grandparent.
Many of the pound shops and discount stores sell art and craft materials for a reasonable price and remember that you can deduct them against your tax as a business expense ( see my post on balancing your child minding books).
I used to run a child minders drop-in and we were fortunate in that we managed to keep it running during the school holidays, I took along resources for the older children , adult colouring books
are a good investment so are word search puzzles.
When at home try to encourage the older children to help the younger ones, this worked well for me, one child in particular liked to help the little children to put on their coats and shoes they loved her helping them too.
If you plan ahead the school holiday breaks should be a wonderful time for everyone plus it is a chance to earn some extra money while having fun.
As always questions/comments are welcome and please share this on social media using the options provided.
Karen
x
Great ideas here, I totally agree that being prepered in adcance is the key for any holiday prep- especially when you are gearing up for lots of children being around! #thesatsesh
Some really good ideas here Karen, good idea to be prepared for bad weather days too. Keep up the brilliant blogs.
Excellent ideas for childminders here – some good tips for parents too – picnics in the park and library trips are always something we do a lot in the hols! #thesatsesh xx
Great ideas even for parents! Gotta keep on top of indoor activities when the weather is not great. #LGRTStumble
I used to find the school holidays the most difficult time when I was childminding. Being organised beforehand definitely helped. #LGRTStumble
Some amazing ideas. I find it hard with 2 to find good stuff to keep them entertained so wirh more than 2 is a big well done from me x
#LGRTstumble
You can’t go wrong with the park and picnics! Children playing in green space is a great thing!
#LGRTStumble
I have a feeling this may come in handy next week, thanks for sharing. X #pointshoot
fab ideas here for child minders and parents, i hope you manage to take a break at some point though #triumphanttales
Great ideas. I love checking out the pound shops for craft materials, you can pick up some great kits for almost nothing. Thank you for linking up to #pointshoot 📷
Just two days to go until the school holidays here! I am not planned enough once again! SOme great tips here, even for those of us that aren’t childminders! Thanks for linking up with #ourweekendhappy
Junk modelling… I had forgotten about that and my littles love it so I am adding it back to the list for the Easter Hols #readysetlink
I’m not a child minder, but I we love a craft project. So yes I have a junk box! My OH thinks I’m a hoarder but I love it! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
Fun ideas for keep the kids busy during school holidays!
Great ideas. My mum was a childminder, so holidays as a kid were always filled with making crafts and helping my mum look after the kids! #ablogginggoodtime x
Great ideas. It’s so hard to keep them out of mischief during the school holidays. Thank you for a few more suggestions for the arsenal.
Great tips here for childminders and parents too! It’s hard to keep the kids entertained all through holidays! #KCACOLS
Some great ideas here for parents and childminders alike…have fun!
Thanks for linking to #coolmumclub
I too love felt, it’s such a fab material! We also collect the toilet paper tubes, boxes and other bits and pieces. 😊👍 #KCACOLS
Really great tips Karen.Art and crafts on a wet day is definitely a winner for us! Baking too. Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam 🙂
Some really good ideas here! I’ve never really thought about poor childminders over the school holidays and potentially being busier than ever. Definitely need some good ideas up your sleeve to keep the little ones entertained without breaking the bank! 👍🏼 #KCACOLS
Stopping by again from #blogstravaganza
I’ve often wondered how our childminder keeps her sanity in the school hols but the points you’ve raised answer that! I love how you recycle your stuff. We still do that now. Admittedly more for the dog’s stimulation than our 8 yo’s crafting! Thanks so much for linking to #HighlightsofHappy
I loved meeting with other minders when I was one. It made the days go by quicker and gave the kids extra playmates. #GlobalBlogging
I take my hat off to you, I can’t imagine how stressful being a child minder can be sometimes. It sounds like you do a fabulous job! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
Although my kids are now older there are so many wonderful ideas I shall save them for grandchildren and other visitors. Thank you so very much for linking to the Spring and Easter Joys party. Have a very Happy Easter!
Great ideas very informative Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
Great ideas to share with my grown nieces who are now moms too. Thank you for sharing at the Spring and Easter Joys link party.
Rita C at Panoply
There are some really good ideas here, We dont use childminders but keeping kids occupied over the holidays is like christmas day on loop with all the excitement between them all!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
Brilliant ideas! I don’t use a childminder, but the kids are in nursery 3 days a week. It must be so tough coming up with new things to do with them every day, thanks for sharing with #fortheloveofBLOG
Some useful tips for anyone looking after young kids to be honest! Thanks for linking up and sharing with #TwinklyTuesday, hope to see you again soon!
Great ideas for parents as well as child minders! The summer holiday can be quite daunting as the children are used to 6 hours of solid activity at school and require structure or complain they are bored #blogstravaganza
There’s nothing better than a child’s imagination is there? Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo – it’s lovely to have you along!
You have some really fun ideas here! And I do hope you get a break too! xo #LGRTstumble xo