Holiday Childcare: How to Handle Daycare Closures and School Breaks

Between holiday closures, teacher workdays, and summer break, childcare gaps can add up to 20-30 days per year when you still need to work. Here's how to plan ahead and maintain coverage.

The Holiday Childcare Challenge

Typical Days Off (When Parents Work)

| Occasion | Daycare | Schools | Offices | |----------|---------|---------|---------| | New Year's Day | Closed | Closed | Often closed | | MLK Day | Often open | Closed | Mixed | | Presidents Day | Often open | Closed | Mixed | | Spring Break | Open | Closed (1 week) | Open | | Memorial Day | Closed | Closed | Closed | | Summer Break | Open | Closed (10 weeks) | Open | | July 4th | Closed | Closed | Closed | | Labor Day | Closed | Closed | Closed | | Teacher Workdays | N/A | Closed (5-10/year) | Open | | Thanksgiving | 1-2 days closed | 2-5 days closed | 1-2 days closed | | Winter Break | 1-2 days closed | 2 weeks closed | 1-2 days closed |

The Gap Calculator

For daycare families:

• ~10 holidays closed
• Potential staff training days (2-4)
• Total: 12-14 days/year

For school-age children:

• ~12 holidays
• ~5-10 teacher workdays
• ~5-7 spring break days
• ~50 summer days
• Total: 70-80 days/year

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Creating Your Annual Coverage Calendar

Step 1: Get All Closure Dates

Collect calendars from:

• Your daycare or school
• Before/after care program
• Your employer
• Spouse's employer

Step 2: Identify Gaps

Mark dates when:

• Childcare is closed AND you work
• School is closed AND before/after care is closed
• Summer camp doesn't cover full workday

Step 3: Assign Coverage

For each gap day, identify:

• Parent 1 covers
• Parent 2 covers
• Family member covers
• Backup care service
• Take PTO

Step 4: Book Early

Many options fill up fast:

• Summer camps: Register January-March
• Holiday camps: 1-2 months ahead
• Backup care: Book as soon as known

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Solutions by Closure Type

Federal Holidays (10/Year)

Options:

1. Take the day off - Many parents already off
2. Trade with spouse - Each takes 5 holidays
3. Family help - Grandparents often off too
4. Backup care - If you must work

Teacher Workdays & Conference Days

Planning ahead:

• Get school calendar in August
• Mark on family calendar immediately
• Request PTO for key dates early
• Find recurring coverage (same babysitter each time)

Solutions:

1. Work from home
2. Swap days with other parents
3. Hire regular babysitter
4. Use employer backup care

Spring Break (1 Week)

Options:

1. Take vacation - Plan family trip
2. Spring break camp - Parks, museums, YMCAs offer these
3. Daycare coverage - Some accept school-age kids
4. Family help - Grandparent visit?
5. Swap with another family - Each takes 2-3 days

Winter Break (2 Weeks)

Similar to spring break, plus:

• Many offices have reduced schedules
• Holiday travel can provide coverage
• Winter break camps at ski resorts, recreation centers

Summer Break (10 Weeks)

Biggest gap—requires serious planning:

See our complete Summer Camp Guide →

Quick options:

• Day camps (register early!)
• Daycare summer program
• Nanny or babysitter
• Grandparent visits (staggered weeks)
• Parent vacation time
• Patchwork of all above

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Backup Care Options

Employer Backup Care Programs

What it is: Emergency care when regular care falls through.

Typical benefits:

• 10-20 days per year
• In-home or center-based
• $5-25 copay per day
• Sick child care often included

Check if your employer offers:

• Bright Horizons Backup Care
• Care.com Backup Care
• KinderCare backup options

Building Your Own Backup Network

People to cultivate:

• Retired neighbors
• College students (especially education majors)
• Fellow parents (swap coverage)
• Regular babysitters who can do daytime

Keep a list with:

• Contact information
• Availability patterns
• Rates
• Notes on reliability

Holiday-Specific Camps

Who offers them:

• Local recreation departments
• YMCA/YWCA
• Museums and nature centers
• Sports facilities
• Religious organizations
• Private tutoring centers

Register early—popular camps fill months ahead.

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Managing Work During Closures

Communicating with Employers

Early in the year:

"I wanted to let you know the dates my child's school is closed this year so we can plan around them. [List dates.] I have coverage planned for most, but may need flexibility on [specific dates]."

Flexible Work Arrangements

Options to discuss:

• Work from home on closure days
• Shift hours (early start/early finish)
• Make up hours on other days
• Split day (work AM, off PM)

Using PTO Strategically

Save PTO for:

• Days when no other coverage exists
• Sick child days (unpredictable)
• Actual vacations

Avoid using PTO for:

• Days you can work from home
• Days family can cover
• Days backup care is available

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Financial Planning for Coverage Gaps

Budgeting for Extra Care

Hidden costs to anticipate:

• Holiday camps ($50-150/day)
• Summer camps ($200-400/week)
• Backup babysitters ($15-25/hour)
• Drop-in daycare ($75-150/day)

Annual budget addition:

• Conservative: $1,000-2,000
• With full summer coverage: $3,000-6,000

Tax Benefits

Dependent Care FSA can cover:

• Summer day camps
• Holiday camps
• Before/after care
• Babysitters (not overnight camps)

Save up to $5,000 pre-tax for these expenses.

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Parent-to-Parent Coverage Swaps

How It Works

Partner with families in similar situations:

• Each family covers certain days
• Children have playmates
• Reduces cost and PTO use

Setting Up a Swap

1. Find compatible families:

• Similar age children
• Similar values
• Reliable and reciprocal
• Convenient location

2. Agree on terms:

• Which days each covers
• Meal expectations
• Pickup/dropoff logistics
• What happens if someone cancels

3. Create a calendar:

• Shared digital calendar
• Confirmed in writing
• Regular check-ins

Tips for Success

• Start small (one day swap first)
• Be flexible but fair
• Communicate clearly
• Have backup for your backup

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Specialized Situations

Single Parents

Extra challenges:

• No partner to swap with
• All coverage falls on you
• Less flexibility

Solutions:

• Build stronger backup network
• Prioritize employers with backup care
• Connect with other single parents for swaps
• Consider au pair (live-in flexibility)

Two Working Parents with No Family Nearby

Solutions:

• Maximize employer backup care
• Hire consistent babysitter for closures
• Build neighborhood network
• Consider nanny share for flexibility
• Front-load PTO for emergencies

Remote Workers

Advantages:

• Can work during quiet activities
• No commute = more flexibility
• Can do hybrid coverage

Challenges:

• Still need real coverage for focused work
• Kids need attention, not just presence

Best practice: Have actual care for young children. Work from home just saves commute time.

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Holiday Coverage Checklist

Beginning of Year

• [ ] Collect all childcare/school calendars
• [ ] Identify all gap days
• [ ] Check employer backup care availability
• [ ] Request PTO for critical days
• [ ] Research summer camp options

Before Each Major Break

• [ ] Confirm coverage for each day
• [ ] Book camps or sitters
• [ ] Communicate with employer
• [ ] Have backup plan for each day
• [ ] Pack supplies (snacks, activities)

Ongoing

• [ ] Maintain babysitter contact list
• [ ] Update backup care account
• [ ] Check in with swap families
• [ ] Adjust budget as needed

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FAQ

Q: How early should I register for summer camps?

A: Popular camps fill in January-March. Start researching in fall, register as soon as enrollment opens.

Q: What if I can't afford camp or backup care?

A: Look into YMCA scholarship programs, parks department sliding scales, and church-based programs. Some employers subsidize backup care. Parent swaps are free.

Q: Can I bring my child to work on closure days?

A: Some employers allow this occasionally. Ask your manager. Best for older children who can entertain themselves.

Q: How do I handle sick days on top of holiday closures?

A: This is why backup networks are essential. Also check if employer backup care covers sick children—many do.

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More planning resources:

• Backup Child Care Guide →
• Summer Camp Guide →
• Employer Childcare Benefits →
• How to Afford Child Care →