School’s out for winter but at a chilling price for some

AS kids pour from classrooms to begin their two-week winter break, many parents are left with the question of how to keep them entertained.

While there are plenty of choices, many come at a high price – some in excess of $100 per day. For example, Unitec runs a science-focused programme with 3D design, animation and robotics called the Mind Lab, for $150 for one day, or $114 per day for five days. That’s $570 a week.

For some, the prices of the holiday programmes are excessive. Auckland mum Nicola Gordon was shocked at the cost of sending her children Neve, 7, and Cooper, 5, to a YMCA holiday programme: $248 for two days.

‘‘You look at the programmes 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 9 to 3 and have to factor in before and after costs. It adds up quickly.’’

So Gordon is planning to enlist a high school student instead, as well as a bit of family assistance.

There was also the problem of many places not offering a full 9-to-5 service covering workdays. ‘‘It often doesn’t cover the needs for working parents,’’ Gordon said.

This weekend, Emily Clemett took 7-year-old son Tama Marchant to the opening day of Wellington City Library’s free Beyond the Page festival.

‘‘This is really great, but I understand how shorter programmes aren’t always as accessible for a lot of families. For some people working 9-to-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.’’

Spokeswoman Danene Jones said YMCA holiday programmes were designed to suit most budgets. ‘‘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 charges helped subsidise term-time school programmes. ‘‘Basically, the way it works is during term time, when kids come with schools, they pay $6 per hour.’’

ROSS GIBLIN / STUFF Budding 7-year-old poet Tama Marchant, main photo, and 5-year-old Winifred Budding with dad Edwin, enjoy yesterday’s opening of Wellington City Library’s Beyond the Page festival.