School Holiday Programs - Are They Better Than Other Options?

Other Options Available

• Leaving children unsupervised: If your children are old enough and mature enough that you, as their parent, consider them capable of staying at home alone and unsupervised then perhaps you may consider this option. Obviously budget wise this would be one of the more cost effective options. However can you put a price on your child's safety? Leaving your child at home unsupervised can raise some safety concerns so this option needs to be considered carefully.
• Leaving children with another adult: You may decide to leave you child in the care of another adult. This may be a grandparent or neighbour or even a nanny. Again, in leaving them with their grandparent this may prove to be financially a good option but you will have to consider any possible health issues (i.e., perhaps age may become an issue, keeping up with young children is a tiring adventure). You will also need to consider if the adult is trustworthy. Just because someone is an adult it doesn't necessarily make him or her reliable or trustworthy. Leaving your children with someone like a nanny can be not only costly but also hard to find one that you feel comfortable leaving your children with.
• Regular Day-Care: You may be able to place your children in a long day-care centre but many of these only cater for children up to school age so will not be a viable option if your children are older. Also if your child is in this kind of care during the school term they may enjoy the change of going to one that caters especially for the school holidays.

School Holiday Programs