With the August school holiday being extended to pave way for a national census slated from August 24 , children have about two-and-a-half weeks to stay at home. The next question that comes up is, what would they be doing at home? If they were given some holiday homework, most probably they have completed it by now.
That means you have to figure out what they would be doing for the rest of the holiday. A few years back, this used to be a concern, especially if you live in urban centres unless of course, you send them upcountry.
This is not the case anymore. You are now spoilt for choice as there are so many organisations coming up with several activities to keep children busy including churches. This begs the question, are those organising these events driven by the pure need for children to enjoy the holiday time or is it the new cash cow?
Some of these events are charging as much as Ksh 1,000 for half a day and around Ksh 5,000 per week, and this does not include transport and logistics. Depending on how far your home is from these centres, you would spend some good amount of money for transport or be available to drop and pick them. The timings usually run between the usual office timings, making it difficult for those employed to drop and pick them up.
It, therefore, means you need to evaluate whether the available holiday programmes are of any importance or it is another bandwagon of guys whose primary goal is to make an extra buck. Are you getting value for money? Are there enough handlers to ensure your child is given the requisite attention and space to do his or her stuff? How are they actually involved? Or are they just watching guys do stuff and this is considered learning?
If it’s a cooking class, can the child come home and actually fix a meal or a snack they learn to cook at the centre, or they just watched the chef do the “magic”? If it’s a science camp, what exactly will your child be able to learn after attending the camp? If its artwork, will the child come home with some of the artwork? It must be life-changing for your child, otherwise, it will be just another expensive daycare.
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