As every working parent with school age children knows, the summer school holidays are almost upon us. Long able to instil a sense of fear and forboding, the summer break from school can often signify six weeks of juggling childcare and work, favours from relatives - and for some parents, worry.
The number of holiday playschemes has increased markedly over recent years as out-of-school provision has itself grown. Yet it is often not the first priority of the developing club which will often wait until its term-time provision is established before it is ready to take on the extension to full daycare during holidays. For this reason, there is still a huge excess of demand for holiday provision - and this year, again, many parents will be weaving together a complex patchwork of visits to friends and relatives.
Yet the summer holiday is a crucial time for children. A time of transition between school years, it is when they can consolidate and build on what they have learnt and prepare for the coming year through play with friends and family. It is the time to learn practical skills - how to ride a bike, swim, play football or music. Go to new places - to the seaside, the science museum and the theatre. It is the time to relax, to be with friends - to recharge batteries and have fun.
An increasing number of children will find these experiences this year in their local holiday club. But too many will still only be watching from the outside. Establishing new holiday playschemes needs to be a major priority.
Only then will children get the opportunities and parents the peace of mind they deserve.
* KCN has published a ten-year strategy for out-of-school clubs The Next Steps for School Age Childcare 2002, see www.kidsclubs.org.uk(also News Nursery World 27 June 2002).