School’s out for winter... but cost of child activities leaves parents cold
AS kids pour from classrooms all over the country to enthusiastically begin their twoweek winter break, many parents are left with the question of how to keep them entertained.
Though there are plenty of choices, many come at a high price – some in excess of $100 per day.
The Mind Lab runs a sciencefocused programme with 3D design, animation and robotics, for a hefty $150 for a one day camp, or $114 per day for a five day ‘immersion’. That’s $570 a week.
For some, the price of holiday programmes is excessive. Auckland mumNicola Gordon was shocked at the cost of sending children Neve, 7, and Cooper, 5, to a YMCA holiday program: $248 for two days.
‘‘You look at the programs and see they’re only around $40 a day, and you think, yeah, that’s not bad. But then you realise that’s only from 9am to 3pm and you have to factor in before and after costs. It adds up quickly.’’
To help, Gordon is planning to enlist a high school student instead, as well as a bit of family assistance. Not only is it far cheaper, but it would also help the kids themselves get a break.
‘‘A lot of holiday programs are very active,’’ she said. ‘‘That’s fine for a few days, but we want to make it a mix. The idea is for the kids to have a rest – they don’t want to be go, go, go all the time.’’
Many parents are also have to cope with some schemes not offering a full 9-to-5 service during workdays.
‘‘It often doesn’t cover the needs for working parents,’’ Gordon said.
Emily Clemett yesterday took her 7-year-old son Tama Marchant to the opening day of Wellington City Library’s Beyond the Page festival. She said that while events like Beyond the Page were wonderful, they weren’t necessarily available for everyone.
‘‘This is really great, but I understand how shorter programs aren’t always as accessible for a lot of families,’’ she said.
‘‘For some people working 9-5 jobs, their kids don’t necessarily have holidays. They get dropped off into creches and not much really changes. It can be very expensive, too.’’
Holiday programme providers stressed the range of options and prices with YMCA spokeswoman Danene Jones saying holiday programmes were designed to suit most budgets. ‘‘TheYMCA is very much about making sure our programmes are available for everyone,’’ she said.
‘‘We offer a range of prices, as well as Work and Income childcare subsidies. It’s important that our programmes are affordable for all sectors of the community.’’
The Mind Lab general manager Fee McLeod said there was a reason for the steep charges.
‘‘Basically, the way it works is during term time, when kids come with schools, they pay $6 per hour,’’ she said. ‘‘Our school holiday programs help subsidise what we do during term time. It boosts everything for the rest of the year’’
She added the courses lasted a full day, saving having to worry about before and after care. And take-up? ‘‘Oh, it’s chocka,’’ she said. ‘‘Demand is really high.’’
For some people working 9-5 jobs, their kids don’t necessarily have holidays.’ EMILY CLEMETT