How is it possible that the school holidays are looming again? It seems the kids have just settled into the school term, figured out their uniforms, lunchboxes, books and bags. Parents have sorted out the morning and afterschool care routine and started to get into the flow at work (kind of!) and then it’s school holidays again!
Often the kids genuinely do need a break after 10 weeks of non-stop action. The school holidays offer time to unwind, rest and recharge. A chance to step out of the classroom, enjoy less structured time and explore other interests and activities.
For many parents the term breaks bring stress and logistical headaches though. With work pressure and several children suddenly at home full-time, the school holidays create a real childcare dilemma.
What will you do with the kids every day? How do you combine work and childcare responsibilities for 2-3 weeks? The juggling act is real. It can feel highly stressful. Especially for solo parents or working parents busy with significant commitments.
You’re not alone. For many families across Australia, they’re in the same boat. The solution is clear - we need a nanny or babysitter.
In this article, we explore the challenges mums and dads face during school holidays, the benefits of finding a babysitter or nanny, and how to find reliable childcare support when you need it most.
The Juggling Act: Work, Kids and School Holidays
Why the School Holidays Are So Challenging
During term time the school days provide a predictable routine and hours of quality engagement and reliable supervision. School also provides built-in social opportunities and structured activities for the children. Often this extends to extracurricular activities after school too, giving children more enrichment, while giving parents more time!
The school holidays leave a big gap in the daily and weekly schedule. Suddenly the children are lacking structure, activities and friends. For some introverted children this is valued down time. But for extroverts they can miss the activities and time with friends.
Most working parents can’t take weeks off work for every school break. Four weeks of annual leave doesn’t cover the 12 weeks the children are out of school each year. This leaves mums and dads scrambling to fill the childcare void.
Common Challenges Parents Face During School Holidays
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No backup: Not all families have grandparents or friends who can help out. Grandparents may be old and frail, live further away, are busy working, or enjoying their retirement.
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Lack of equal childcare swap options: Some parents are fortunate to have friends in the same boat, so they can help each other out and swap childcare for each other evenly. Finding an equal swap can be difficult though. Other families have more or less kids. Caring for friends' children can add another layer of stress. Additionally the children may not get along well.
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Workplace pressure: Many employers expect business as usual, regardless of school calendars. Some workplaces are flexible and allow parents to work from home or bring a child to work for the day. Often these solutions create more tension for working parents though. Parents still need to get work done.
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School holiday programs fill quickly: There are some wonderful holiday programs that provide opportunities from dance, to computer coding, to art and sports skills. Spots can book out fast for popular holiday programs, so sometimes it’s difficult to get kids in. If you have several children it can also be hard to line up suitable programs that match each child’s interests and needs.
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Some kids struggle with holiday programs: Some children, especially those with neurodivergence, might struggle with holiday programs. Programs bring lots of change, new faces, transitions, more sensory challenges and demands.
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Several siblings of different ages: If you’ve got several children of different ages and stages they may not be able to attend the same holiday programs. Parents need to find appropriate care to suit a range of ages.
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Costs add up: School holiday programs can be costly. When you pay for multiple days or several children it can be expensive.
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Bored kids at home: Without a plan, kids get restless and seek more input. Often this is in the form of screen time. This brings more stress for parents to manage screen time carefully, while working at the same time.
Screen Time During School Holidays
Children will often default to their phones, tablets, computers or game consoles to fill spare time. There’s growing awareness that screen time needs to be managed for our children’s health and wellbeing. Spare time on school holidays can often lead to increased screen time.
The Australian national guidelines for screen time note that there should be
- No screen time for children under 2 years of age
- No more than 1 hour of screen time for children aged 2-5 years, per day
- No more than 2 hours of sedentary recreational screen time for children aged 5-17 years, per day. (Not including school work)
It's shockingly low isn't it? But based on the research - these are the limits we should be guided by. Most families struggle to manage these limits in day to day life. School holidays make this even more challenging.
Why Babysitters and Nannies Are Lifesavers in the School Holidays
Engaging a babysitter or nanny during school holidays can be the perfect solution.
Whether it’s a few hours a day, several days per week, or full-time care, having trusted help can relieve pressure and create a better school holiday experience for everyone.
Parents might consider combining a mix of childcare with a nanny at home, a holiday program and some play dates with friends.
Find the best babysitters and nannies near you!
Key Benefits of Hiring a Babysitter or Nanny:
Why we need a nanny!
- Flexible hours to suit your family and work schedule
- Personalised care in your own home
- Can care for several children of different ages and stages
- Smaller child-to-carer ratio means quality supervision and care
- Familiar environment reduces stress for kids
- Better for children who need time to unwind over holidays
- Support for outings, activities, and playdates
- Less screen time for children
- Relief from the mental load of planning and entertaining
- More affordable way to care for several children
Do We Need a Nanny or a Babysitter? What's the Difference?
Parents often ask - what’s the difference between a babysitter and a nanny? Often the terms are used interchangeably. The key difference is usually in their experience, availability and role.
Babysitters
- Often provide casual, part-time or occasional care
- Great for evenings, weekends, or ad hoc support
- May be students or part-time workers
- May need more parent guidance to plan the daily activities
- May take on light household duties related to the children
Nannies
- Typically work regular hours on an ongoing basis
- More likely to have formal childcare training or experience
- Often more independently responsible for planning structured daily routines and activities
- Often more skilled to care for small babies
- May take on light household duties related to the children
For school holidays, both babysitters and nannies can be incredibly helpful, depending on your family’s needs.
When Is the Right Time to Start Looking for School Holiday Care?
We recommend starting your search at least 3-4 weeks before the holidays begin. This allows time for interviews and reference checks.
That said - placing a job posting on Find A Babysitter 1 week in advance will usually work. Parents will just need to follow through fairly quickly to find a match.
Attract the best babysitters by writing a great job ad.
Why You Should Plan Ahead:
- School holidays are busy time for childcare demand
- The best babysitters and nannies get booked quickly
- Planning ahead gives you time to interview, reference check and select the right match for your family
- Avoid last-minute stress
What to Look For in a Babysitter or Nanny for School Holidays
When choosing someone to care for your children during the school holidays, look for more than just availability.
Here are some key qualities to prioritise:
Top Qualities of a Great School Holiday Babysitter:
- Experience with children of similar ages
- Enthusiastic and energetic
- Creative with activities and play ideas
- Practical skills related to your children’s needs e.g., managing special needs
- Skilled with indoor and/or outdoor activities to engage children off screens
- Punctual and reliable - based on reference checks
- Excellent communication skills
- First Aid certified
- Current Working With Children Check
Also consider whether you want someone who can:
- Drive your child to activities or outings (their own car required or not)
- Prepare simple meals or snacks
School Holiday Ideas: What Can a Babysitter or Nanny Do?
A great babysitter can do more than just supervise - they can turn your child’s holidays into a fun, enriching experience (while saving your sanity!).
Holiday Activities Babysitters and Nannies Can Offer:
- Arts and crafts projects
- Outdoor play in the park or backyard
- Baking simple recipes together
- Trips to the library or local museum
- Creating treasure hunts or themed days
- Building cubby houses and forts
- Reading, board games, and puzzles
- Storytelling
- Dancing, singing and music
Having someone who is proactive and imaginative makes all the difference!
For more ideas click here for a fun list of kids games and activities to share with the babysitter or nanny.
How to Find a Reliable Babysitter or Nanny
We recommend using a trusted childcare platform like Find A Babysitter. We are Australia’s #1 market leading platform for connecting parents with trusted local carers. Since 2005, we've helped thousands of families find the right match. The site is run by Melbourne-based parents - Delia Timms and Jeff Bonnes - who are passionate about helping parents find all the support they need, to make family life easier.
Why Use Find A Babysitter
- Australia’s biggest, up-to-date list of babysitters and nannies
- Thousands of rated and reviewed carers
- Job Posting - so carers come to you - faster for you!
- App and site - making it convenient and user-friendly
- Easy postcode search to find sitters near you
- Secure messaging keeps your contact details private
- No rolling subscriptions or hidden fees - just a one time flat fee
- Supportive customer service to help you successfully find the perfect match.
Tips for a Successful Search for a Nanny:
- Post a detailed job ad outlining your needs
- Include dates, times, children’s ages, and any special requirements
- Be clear about your expectations for activities and support
- Interview a few carers and check references
- Remember to create an agreement to outline the details of the nanny's employment.
- Click here for our handy tips on using your Job Posting to find the perfect babysitter for your family.
What Other Parents Say
Real Testimonials:
"We wanted to send you a HUGE THANK YOU as we've found our perfect nanny through Find A Babysitter.” - Lara
"I was really happy with Find A Babysitter. The quality of people I got were amazing! The job alerts to carers to suit my requirements was a great help. My nanny started officially on her own today and it looks like I have made a fantastic choice. Thanks so much.” - Nicole
"We are very happy with our new carer (Zoe) who spends a lovely couple of hours either playing at the park or in the backyard. It's very convenient as she lives nearby and is also flexible with days. It's a win-win situation." - Amy
Final Thoughts: Ease the Pressure - Find A Babysitter
The school holidays don’t have to mean chaos or guilt. With the right support, they can be enjoyable for your kids and manageable for you.
Engaging a trusted babysitter or nanny during this time can give your family the gift of time, calm and consistency.
If you’re feeling the pressure of juggling work and school holidays, you’re not alone. With Find A Babysitter, help is just a few clicks away.
Ready to find your school holiday lifesaver?
Start your free search today, post your job and discover trusted babysitters and nannies near you.
