Summer holidays can be a juggling act for freelancers. In this post, I share practical ways to make childcare work around your schedule, from tax-free childcare and holiday clubs to family support and childcare swaps, so you can keep your business running while making the holidays a little less stressful.
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
Prefer to read it? Here are the main points!
This summer feels like a big milestone in our house. My son is about to finish primary school and start secondary school in September. Honestly, I can’t quite believe it. It feels like only yesterday I was figuring out how to juggle freelancing with a newborn, and now I have a nearly 11-year-old who is becoming more independent every day.
As I’ve been reflecting on that transition, it’s reminded me of something that helped enormously when he was younger: tax-free childcare. It also got me thinking about some of the other ways we’ve navigated school holidays, childcare, and running a business over the years.
If you’re self-employed and wondering how on earth you’re going to balance work and childcare over the summer, I hope some of these ideas help.
Don’t Overlook Tax-Free Childcare
One of the biggest sources of support for us has been tax-free childcare.
Many freelancers don’t realise they’re eligible, but tax-free childcare is available to self-employed parents as well as employed parents.
The basic principle is simple. For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2, up to certain limits.
When my son was younger, combining tax-free childcare with funded childcare hours made a huge difference to our finances. It helped make nursery costs more manageable and gave me the breathing space to continue building my business.
What many people don’t realise is that tax-free childcare can often be used for more than just nursery fees. Depending on the provider, it may also contribute towards:
- After-school clubs
- Holiday clubs
- Summer activity programmes
Not every provider accepts it, so it’s worth checking before booking, but it can significantly reduce costs over the long summer break.
As with any government scheme, eligibility and rules can change, so it’s always worth checking the latest information on the government website.
The Summer Holidays Get Easier (Eventually)
I remember how challenging the early years felt.
Trying to fit work around naps. Planning your entire day around a precious hour of childcare. Finally getting your child settled, sitting down to work, and then hearing them wake up twenty minutes later.
Then there was the classic freelancer promise:
“I’ll just work this evening instead.”
Except by the evening, you’re completely exhausted.
Or:
“I’ll become one of those people who gets up at 5am.”
Then the alarm goes off and you quickly remember that you’re not one of those people.
The good news is that it genuinely does get easier as children get older.
Now my son is nearly 11, he doesn’t need constant supervision in the same way. He might be drawing, gaming with friends, sorting Pokémon cards, or entertaining himself for a while, which creates more flexibility throughout the day.
Even when we’re out, it’s different. At a trampoline park, for example, I can often sit with a coffee and get some work done while he disappears off with his friends for an hour.
It’s not perfect, but it is easier.
Accept Help If You Have It
I’m always cautious about saying “use your village” because I know not everyone has one.
Having family nearby is a privilege, and I recognise how fortunate we are to have both sets of grandparents close by. My son often spends a couple of days with them during the holidays, which gives me dedicated work time.
I’m also lucky to have a sister who runs a business herself. We sometimes help each other out with childcare during school holidays, taking turns to have the children for a day.
The important thing isn’t necessarily family, though. It’s finding people who can support each other when possible.
If you do have family or trusted friends nearby, don’t be afraid to have conversations about sharing the load.
Childcare Swaps Can Be Brilliant
One thing I’ve seen work really well is childcare swaps with friends.
I have several self-employed friends locally, and over the years we’ve occasionally helped each other out during the holidays.
Sometimes that’s a formal swap where one parent takes the children for an afternoon and then returns the favour another day. Sometimes it’s more informal.
Even now, during the summer holidays, friends will come over with their children, the kids will play together, and we’ll be able to fit in a little work at the same time.
It doesn’t need to be complicated to be helpful.
Explore Childcare-Friendly Workspaces
If your children are younger, it’s worth seeing whether there are any childcare-friendly workspaces near you.
These are becoming more common and combine co-working space with childcare facilities.
One local example near me offers workspace alongside childcare, allowing parents to work knowing their children are nearby and being looked after safely.
Similarly, some gyms offer crèches where children can stay for a short period while you work from the café, attend a meeting, or simply focus on a task that needs your attention.
These options won’t work for everyone, but they’re worth investigating if you need occasional support.
Don’t Forget You’re Part of a Team
If you have a partner, it’s important to have conversations about how you’ll handle the holidays together.
There can still be an assumption that the self-employed parent, often the mother, automatically takes on most of the childcare during school holidays.
But running a business matters too.
For us, that often means balancing things differently. I might take the lead during weekdays, while my husband takes on more childcare responsibilities at weekends.
The arrangement will look different for every family, but it’s worth discussing expectations rather than assuming one person will absorb all the extra pressure.
A Quick Recap
If you’re trying to juggle freelancing and childcare this summer, here are the biggest things I’d recommend:
- Check whether you’re eligible for tax-free childcare.
- See whether holiday clubs or activity programmes accept it.
- Accept support from family if it’s available.
- Explore childcare swaps with friends.
- Look into childcare-friendly workspaces or crèche facilities.
- Have open conversations with your partner about sharing responsibilities.
Most importantly, remember that this stage won’t last forever.
I know it can feel relentless when you’re in the thick of it, especially with younger children. But it does get easier, and you’ll gradually find systems, routines and support that work for your family.
Looking Ahead to Secondary School
September is going to be a big transition for us.
I’m not rushing to fill my diary with extra work when school starts because I know my son will need time to settle into a completely new environment.
I’m expecting there will be an adjustment period for all of us, particularly as he navigates that change.
If you’ve already been through the primary-to-secondary-school transition, especially with a neurodivergent child, I’d love to hear any tips you’ve found helpful.
And if you’re currently juggling freelancing and childcare, please know you’re not alone. Many of us are figuring it out one school holiday at a time.
If you’d like to connect with other freelancers who understand these challenges, come and join us in the Freelance Lifestylers community. We’d love to have you there.
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