Students around the country are celebrating as school’s out for Summer, while working parents are stressed out about how to safely navigate 6 weeks of childcare arrangements.

“Summer holidays can be really stressful for working parents, with meticulous organisation needed to ensure your kids are safe and supervised throughout the long break,” explains Big Sky Additions director Sam Holt, himself a father of three children. Here are his top tips for surviving the Summer break:

1. Talk to your employer early about the challenges of surviving the school holidays. Ask what provisions are in place for flexible working, unpaid leave or the option to work from home.
2. Talk to your friends and family about your worries and consider setting up childcare swaps or exchanging all day playdates. Close relatives might even take your children for a longer stay to relieve the daily pressure.
3. Look around your friends and family for trusted students or connections eager for some holiday income. With the right checks, you might find a reliable babysitter close to home.
4. If you have two or more children, hiring a nanny can work out more cost effective than daily childcare.
5. Consider alternating your annual leave with your partner to maximise the amount of time you can both take off to care for the kids.
6. Connect with your local community – often local councils, churches and community groups offer holiday clubs at reasonable prices

Don’t forget to take some time out to relax and recharge yourself – it will be back to school time before you know it!

Sam Holt recruits for a wide range of full time and part time accountancy jobs in Norwich. For further information please call 01603 516254