[ck38]

Hi all,
I really hope you can help me with this.

I am not yet in NZ but when we get there both me and my OH will need to work. My children are aged 5, 8 and 9. It has just occurred to me that during school holidays I will not have my family around to help out with childcare.

What does everyone do with their children in the holidays? How many weeks of school holidays are there in each year and are holidays made up of a long summer one with shorter easter and christmas breaks with half terms?

Also, is it possible to get assistance from the government with childcare costs?

I guess it's going to be fairly expensive, a cost I hadn't anticipated!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.:nice1

[shakyle2906]

Hi ck38

There are quite a few holidays - hope can remember all -

mid Dec to 1st wk Feb - roughly 6 weeks
April - 2 wks
July - 2wks
Oct - 2wks

Think that is it but sure someone will be along to help further!!

We live in Hawkes Bay, and like most people, dont have family, both work fulltime.

I have had our son, nearly 6, in YMCA OSCAR programme, which costs about $32 a day, food extra. They take them on different trips each day.

There are you will find, a few places that provide holiday cover, lots of schools will probably be able to notify you of whats available in the area.

As regards help with costs, I was advised that the IRD would reimburse a % of childcare costs. SO, this year, i completed the form required, and had about $330 back. I had paid over $2500 for childcare in the last financial year, so having at least some back was a bonus. Our son goes to after school care too.

HTH in some way, if i can help further, please dont hesitate to contact me again.

Sharon
xx

[JandM]

Here's a previous thread about out-of-school child care. http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17485&highlight=school+holidays It's always worth using the Search facility on the site, as many issues will have been discussed before (see the button on the bar up above). Here's something about the OSCAR programme, and subsidies. http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/support-communities/OSCAR/OSCAR-funding/parents-caregivers.html

And here's a website that gives the NZ school holidays (and public holidays). http://www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/public-holidays/

[Janey]

glad to see someone else had this panic thought we would be the only both full time working parents! though I have noticed that some after schoool clubs only go until 5pm which seems odd if you work until 5 at the earliest and then have to get back!

[mgf]

Here is the website with the Term dates and holidays for 2008 ..2009 is on there as well

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=3767&indexid=1010#P178_5940

2008 TERM DATES



2008 - PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS

Term 1


Between
Tuesday 29 January (at the earliest); and
Thursday 7 February (at the latest).


To


Friday 18 April (98 - 110 half-days)

Term 2


Monday 5 May


To


Friday 4 July (88 half-days)

Term 3


Monday 21 July


To


Friday 26 September (100 half-days)

Term 4


Monday 13 October


To


No later than Friday 19 December (98 half-days) *

* Or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 384 half-days in 2008.



2008 - SECONDARY AND COMPOSITE SCHOOLS

Term 1


Between
Tuesday 29 January (at the earliest); and
Thursday 7 February (at the latest).


To


Friday 18 April (98 - 110 half-days)

Term 2


Monday 5 May


To


Friday 4 July (88 half-days)

Term 3


Monday 21 July


To


Friday 26 September (100 half-days)

Term 4


Monday 13 October


To


Wednesday 17 December (94 half days)*

* Or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 380 half-days in 2008.

2008 Holidays
Schools must be closed in 2008 on Saturdays and Sundays and on the following days:

New Years Day 1 January
Day after New Years Day 2 January
Waitangi Day Wednesday 6 February
Good Friday 21 March
Easter Monday 24 March
Day after Easter Monday 25 March
Anzac Day Friday 25 April
Queen's Birthday Monday 2 June
Labour Day Monday 27 October
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December
and the relevant Anniversary Day Holiday as listed below

Anniversary Day Holidays 2008

Auckland


Monday 28 January


Within school holidays

Taranaki


Monday 10 March


Within Term 1

Hawkes Bay


Friday 24 October


Within Term 4

Wellington


Monday 21 January


Within school holidays

Marlborough


Monday 3 November


Within Term 4

Nelson


Monday 4 February


Within school holidays

Canterbury


Friday 14 November


Within Term 4

Canterbury (South)


Monday 22 September


Within Term 3

Westland


Monday 1 December


Within Term 4

Otago


Monday 24 March


Within Term 1 (Easter)

Southland


Monday 14 January


Within school holidays

Chatham Islands


Monday 1 December


Within Term 4

2009 TERM DATES

[shakyle2906]

glad to see someone else had this panic thought we would be the only both full time working parents! though I have noticed that some after schoool clubs only go until 5pm which seems odd if you work until 5 at the earliest and then have to get back!

Ours is available until 5.30pm, with emergency cover till 6pm if needed. Most of the kids have gone by 5pm i found once when hubby running late and little one was most distraught being only one there!! Cover 5.30pm till 6pm is $10 but exceptional circumstances.

Sharon
x

[Janey]

so how do you cope if both of you work 9-5 then and need to commute 25 mins? are all employers flexible is it down tools at 5pm regardless?

[simpsons]

I notice on one of the links the term times and that is v helpful. Wot does it mean for example 88 half days??? Does this mean i would need child care every afternoon kids will be about 12 an 10 if we get to come to NZ
The simpsons

[shakyle2906]

so how do you cope if both of you work 9-5 then and need to commute 25 mins? are all employers flexible is it down tools at 5pm regardless?

Not sure sorry Janey, it works out for us that OH finishes at 5, goes to pick son up then picks me up at 5.15 when i finish.

I am sure that there will be some flexibility, i have heard that employers have to consider parents with children but obviously theres rules.........

Sorry i cant help further.

Sharon
x

[shakyle2906]

I notice on one of the links the term times and that is v helpful. Wot does it mean for example 88 half days??? Does this mean i would need child care every afternoon kids will be about 12 an 10 if we get to come to NZ
The simpsons

Hi

Have just re-read the info myself, and unsure what it suggests but an advise that these days during term times are usual school hours, our son is 8.50 to 2.50.

Perhaps someone will read the posting again and be able to shed more light ?

They are definetly full days where we are!

Sharon
x

[marybelle]

I think you will find that as school days are made up of morning and afternoon sessions then each full day is made up of 2 half days.
This helps when calculating absence and sick days as your child may have a GP appointment in the morning and so would be marked absent for half a day not the whole day.

88 half days would equate to 44 full days of school or 8 weeks and 4 days (excluding weekends).

Hth

Marybelle