Half-term breaks pose childcare challenges for families

According to the BBC, when the school bell rings for half-term, it signals a break for children and teenagers—but for many working parents, it can mark the start of a familiar scramble to organise childcare.

For some families, this means using annual leave, relying on relatives, or turning to childminders. With varying school schedules and rising costs, finding solutions that work for both parents and children can be challenging.

In the 2024/25 academic year, about 348,000 pupils were enrolled at primary and secondary schools in Northern Ireland, meaning many families are navigating the same balancing act. The latest NI Childcare Survey Report from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency found that the median childcare fee for 1–41+ hours per week is £225 per month per child.

Natasha Nelson, a Belfast-based childminder, said half-term breaks are particularly busy and require extra planning and activities. While she generally works on a contract basis, ad-hoc or full-day bookings during school holidays can be more expensive for parents.

"Before I did childminding, I had to make sure my provider had availability or take annual leave to look after my children," Nelson said. She added that while most parents provide plenty of notice, she has received requests with as little as one day’s notice, and the stress of not securing childcare can be significant.

Schools across the UK are generally required to provide 190 teaching days per year, plus five teacher training days. In Northern Ireland, however, term dates are more centralised: the Department of Education sets the main school holiday dates, while schools may choose a small number of additional training or optional days, meaning exact term breaks may not always align.

Chris Donnelly, principal of St John the Baptist Primary School in west Belfast, said decisions on additional days are typically made between principals and boards of governors. "The most important thing is for schools to provide parents with proper notice about when they plan to close," he said. "That way parents can make any arrangements they need or plan for their holidays."