What do WOHMs do w/ the tons of weeks off preschools take?

[Anonymous]

We've started looking at preschools and it seems as if they have TONS of weeks when they're closed (about 5 to 6 plus many non-federal holidays that they're also closed sprinkled throughout the year). What do WOHMs do - especially FT ones - when you're trying to send your kids to preschool? Are there options outside of homedaycares that do "preschool" for part of the day there? Or am I just stuck. Honestly I find it really crazy that the schools are closed that much - especially in this area.

[Anonymous]

I'm a working mom and this is the reason why I have not chosen a preschool for my dd and have kept her in a regular daycare that offers care up thru preK. Because it's just not convenient for working parents who don't want to hire a nanny on top of paying for childcare. But does your employer offer any type of back up care?

[Anonymous]

They are preschools, not daycares. That is why they are close so much b/c they tend to mimic the public school calendar. So just be prepared for elementary school and beyond. And if you go private, there are even MORE days off. Anyway, at my son's preschool, there are a few at-home daycares that will come and pick up a few kids after school ends and transport them to their home for the rest of the day. You could ask the preschool if they know of any at-home daycares in the area. You could hire a PT nanny. A college student who can fill in the other hrs. Or you can just find a daycare center that has a preschool program.

[Anonymous]

there are a few at-home daycares that will come and pick up a few kids after school ends and transport them to their home for the rest of the day.

Thanks, PP. My problem isn't the hours though (the schools do seem to recognize many parents work since they offer before and after care) - it's ALL the days off. I know other people keep a nanny on but that's pretty pricey. Was just trying to see if I do have any options besides a full day daycare.

[Anonymous]

It's a tough one, but it's the reason I'm doing part-time contracting work. DH will use some of his holidays to look after the kids so I can work a bit over the summer. This is a long-term plan for us since, even though the kids are only 2 & 4, this will be an issue throughout their schooling.

[Anonymous]

Connect with other working parents at DC's school and see if you can work something out together--e.g., a temporary nanny-share, arranging days off so that you can care for the children on alternate days, etc. Also, you might want to ask the teachers if they are willing to babysit during the vacation (some schools allow this, others do not). College and grad students are a good idea because they have similar vacation schedules as preschools--not a bad idea to have a couple of babysitters now in the rotation so that when they are on vacation they might be able to care for your child (check the AU job board). Do you have a relative (grandma, grandpa) who would be willing to fly in (you could agree to pay their airfare) for part of the vacation?

Realistically, you are going to have to take some time off, but you can minimize this with some of the above strategies.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You might want to continue your search. Neither of the preschools I used had much time off at all. The one I currently use has 6 Federal Holidays and two days at the end of the summer. The other one I used had 6 Federal Holidays and I think the day after Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve off.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? In MoCo, there are various after school care programs that stay open when public school is closed. My son's Kindercare does that, and actually picks kids up from some local elementary schools after school and brings them to Kindercare. They have drop-ins for days off, as well (for a fee of course).

[Anonymous]

We take our annual vacation over the spring week off. Otherwise we rely heavily on grandparents.

[Anonymous]

Where are you? In MoCo, there are various after school care programs that stay open when public school is closed. My son's Kindercare does that, and actually picks kids up from some local elementary schools after school and brings them to Kindercare. They have drop-ins for days off, as well (for a fee of course).

OP here - we live in MoCo too - but this is preschool we're looking at. maybe it exists for that age too? How did you find out about these coordinated care options, PP - I mean where do I look to try to find some?

[Anonymous]

Call some local daycares and ask them what options they have. If they don't have what you need, ask if they know of any others that do. Also, look on MC's online list of at-home daycare providers.