Starting Reception is a big change for the whole family. Your child is getting used to new teachers, new friends, new routines and much longer days, while you may be adjusting to school runs, uniforms, packed lunches and a completely different childcare routine.
Then October half term arrives surprisingly quickly. It might be the first time you’ve had to think about childcare during a school holiday, or you might simply be wondering how much your child will want to do after such a busy first few weeks at school.
There’s no perfect way to approach that first half term. Every child is different, and every family will find its own rhythm.
Reception can be exciting, but it can also be exhausting. Even children who seem to have settled brilliantly are taking in a lot every day, from longer periods of concentration to becoming more independent.
By half term, you may notice they want more sleep, seem more emotional or simply need more time at home. After several busy weeks, they may just need a chance to recharge.
A little familiarity can be useful, but half term doesn’t need to look like another school week. Some families find that keeping roughly familiar bedtimes and mealtimes helps when school starts again, while still leaving plenty of room for a more relaxed pace.
Some children will want to be out doing things, while others may be perfectly happy playing at home, seeing family or having a slower morning. Once the holiday begins, you’ll probably get a fairly good sense of what your child needs.
If your child previously attended nursery throughout the year, school holidays can take some getting used to. School closes for the week, but for many parents, work carries on as normal.
That can make October half term the first time you have to work out how school holiday childcare fits around your working week. Some families use grandparents or annual leave, while others rely on flexible working, holiday clubs or a mixture of different options.
If a holiday club is part of your plan, it can help to look beyond the activity list. Opening and collection times, age requirements, safeguarding arrangements, support for younger children and how the day fits around work can all make a difference.
If you’re comparing providers, our guide to what parents need to know about camp safety covers some of the things that may be useful to consider before booking.
There isn’t one particular age or personality that tells you a child is definitely ready for a holiday club. Your child might run straight in and start playing, or they may prefer to watch for a while before joining in.
Thinking about how they usually respond to new places can be useful. If you’re unsure, speaking to the holiday club beforehand can help you understand how the day works and how younger children are supported.
At Aspire Active Camps, four year olds can attend for a maximum of four hours per day. For some families, that shorter session can make a first camp experience feel more manageable.
Knowing a little about what will happen can make a new place feel easier to approach. You might mention that they’ll meet the coaches, play games, be active and spend time with other children.
If they feel nervous, there’s no need to make a big issue of it. A simple explanation of where they’re going and what they can expect may be enough to give them some reassurance.
You could say something like, “It’s somewhere new, so it might feel a bit different at first. The coaches will help you know what to do.”
Some children enjoy being involved in getting ready, whether that’s choosing their water bottle, helping to pack their bag or deciding what comfortable clothes to wear.
Check the camp information beforehand so you know what they’ll need, and label belongings clearly. Most Reception parents already know how easily jumpers, bottles and lunchboxes can disappear.
If this will be your child’s first camp experience, we’ve put together a separate guide with more practical preparation advice.
Read: How to prepare your child for their first ever camp experience
The first holiday club drop off can feel surprisingly significant, particularly when your child has only recently adjusted to being dropped off at school.
Some children will barely look back, while others may suddenly decide they would rather stay with you. Some parents find that a calm, clear goodbye works well, letting their child know when they’ll be back and giving the staff space to help them settle.
A wobbly few minutes at drop off doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll have a wobbly day. Children can settle very differently once they become absorbed in an activity.
When you collect your child, the obvious question is, “Did you have a good day?” Sometimes you’ll get an enthusiastic answer. Other times, particularly with a tired four or five year old, you may just get “I don’t know.”
Questions about what they played, who made them laugh, what their favourite part was or whether they tried something new can sometimes get more of a response.
Those little details may give you a better sense of how they felt about the experience and whether they’d be happy to go again.
School holiday childcare can become a significant extra cost once your child starts school, especially when there are several holiday periods across the year to cover.
Depending on your circumstances and the provider you choose, you may be able to use Tax-Free Childcare or childcare vouchers towards eligible holiday childcare.
Our separate guide explains the options in more detail.
Read our guide to childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare
Your child might need more rest than you expected, love their first holiday club session or prefer a quieter week. You may also find that a mixture of childcare, family support and time at home works best.
There isn’t one right way to approach that first school holiday. Most families find what works for them as they go.
Aspire Active Camps provides school holiday childcare built around sport, games and physical activity. Our camps give children the chance to be active, spend time with other children and enjoy their school holidays in a structured, welcoming environment.
Four year olds can attend for a maximum of four hours per day, and Aspire Active Camps currently operates in Sutton Coldfield, Bromsgrove, Hagley, Codsall and Wombourne.
Find your nearest Aspire Active Camp