Summer vacation can raise a new -- and sometimes difficult -- set of child care issues. But with planning and the right set of options you can arrange a summer that works well for you and your child.
It's important to consider your child's age, special interests, and personality when making summer plans. And no matter when you start your planning or what choices you consider, it's important to include your child in the decision-making process.
Not every child wants or needs a heavily scheduled summer. You may find that a combination of structured activities (like those provided at many day camps) and less structured activities (like staying with a neighbor or a visit to relatives) works well for your child.
Because many programs and activities require advance registration, it's a good idea to start planning and organizing your family's summer schedule as early as the winter months. Mark down any dates you already know and add to them as your plans develop. When does school end? Will you be taking any time off to be at home? Are any relatives or friends planning to visit? You may want to consider pacing your child's activities so that a big activity like a trip is followed by a quieter time at home with a caregiver, with a neighbor or with a relative. This can be especially important for younger children.
If your child's summer will include several different kinds of care arrangements, you may find it helpful to make a large summer calendar to show what will happen when. You can use pages from a store-bought calendar, or make your own on poster board.
In addition to blocking out weeks to show when your child will be at day camp, for example, and when he will share care at a neighbor's, you can mark down special celebrations and outings that your child can look forward to. These could include birthdays, community holidays, or visits from friends.
Next to the calendar, try posting a list of activities that your child (and maybe your entire family) would like to participate in this summer -- picnics, for example, or visiting a zoo or museum you've never been to before. Your child could also make a list of books he'd like to read over the summer, games he'd like to play, and friends he'd like to play with.
Possibilities for your child's summer care include:
Local park and community center recreation programs. These are often half-day or all-day programs, sometimes in special areas like sports, art, or music. In many parts of the country programs like these cost less than other options, but some have residency requirements. Programs like these tend to have limited hours (often 9 a.m. to 3 a.m.), but some offer extended-day coverage for an extra fee.
Day camps. Many religious organizations, Boy's and Girl's Clubs, Y's, and schools offer day camps. Like recreation programs, they tend to be offered for limited hours, but some offer extended-day coverage.
Activity programs and workshops. Some organizations like museums and nature societies offer short-term workshops in a variety of areas. Organizations include:
language-school programs, theater-sponsored workshops, music-school programs, museum programs, public library summer reading programs, college- or community-college-sponsored programs
Expanded after school programs. Before- and after-school programs that operate during the school year at Y's, schools, or other community agencies sometimes expand to offer full-day care during the summer, even for children who aren't enrolled during the school year.
In-home care. You may want to consider finding a high school or college student, friend, or neighbor to spend a few days, a week, or a few weeks at your home. Or you may want to think about sharing a provider with the parents of one of your child's friends.
Volunteer programs. Volunteering -- at a recycling center, place of worship, library, zoo, park, or museum - can be a good possibility for an older child. You may also want to ask local summer camps whether they offer CIT (counselor-in-training) programs for older children.
Structured programs that are in demand often fill up early. In many communities, it's important to start collecting information as early as December or January. It's a good idea to:
- Gather information early. Look for newspaper announcements; ask if your child's school provides information about local programs; talk with other parents. Call the programs directly and ask for brochures, timelines, financial aid information, and whether there is an open house.
- Attend open houses or make an appointment to speak with the director at the program’s location.
- Talk with other parents whose children have attended programs you are considering.
You will want to learn as much as you can about a program before you decide to enroll your child. At an open house or at a meeting with the director you may want to ask:
What is a typical day like? Is there a balance of active and quiet play?
What is the director's background? Who are the staff members? What is their background and experience? What kind of training does the staff receive?
How many children will attend the program? How many counselors and other staff members will there be?
(The American Camping Association suggests the following for day camp ratios: one counselor for every six children ages 5 and under; one for every eight children ages 6-8; and one for every ten children ages 9-14. For overnight camp ratios it suggests one counselor for every five children ages 5and under; one for every six children ages 6-8; and one for every eight children ages 9-14.)
If your child will spend some time at home this summer, it's a good idea to plan some special activities in advance. You can work with your child to make a list of things she'd like to make and buy simple supplies at a craft store.
Some activities that school-age children often don't have time for during the school year but that can be interesting ways to spend summer time at home include making models from kits; sewing, including embroidery or making simple clothes; origami (this can be hard to learn from a book, but many libraries now have origami videos); playing board games, like chess, checkers, Chinese checkers, and Parcheesi; gardening (in pots on the windowsill if you don't have outside space), jigsaw puzzles; or cooking.
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