SAN DIEGO — Parents all over San Diego are trying to figure out how to care for their kids who are off school Thanksgiving week.
To make matters worse for parents in the San Diego Unified School District, elementary school children have minimum days each day the week prior to Thanksgiving as well.
"I work overnights so it's completely hard for me to get childcare," said one parent CBS 8 spoke with.
That same parent told CBS 8 working around her daughter's school schedule has always been a challenge. But with a week full of half days — followed by another week off — it's even more difficult this school year.
“I usually ask my mom. But, if that doesn't work, I have to call off of work.”
She’s not alone.
CBS 8 spoke with other parents who recalled what it was like when they were kids, saying things are much different now.
"She has always had the entire week off, but when I was in school, we only had Thursday and Friday off," said Jennifer Sumber.
“I've seen on Facebook, a lot of parents are stressing," Sumber said. "What am I going to do about childcare? What camp is open during the week?"
While parents may feel the strain more prominently than years prior, the legally mandated amount of instruction days have not changed, just the way they are distributed.
"The changes to the school year do not impact the number of instructional days. Students continue to receive 180 instructional days," a spokesperson with the district said.
But families still say they are left scrambling for care.
“That is a lot time off parents have to consider and worry about getting coverage for their kids,” said Richard Beitey, a father of two.
He's also the president of The Whole Child Learning Company, which provides on campus after care programs as well as holiday camps for kids.
Whole Child adjusts its offerings to mirror the district's academic calendar, but they're limited based on space and staff.
"So, there might be 100 parents at a school that want a program that they can send their kids to on half days, but there might only be enough space for 10 or 20 students," said Beitey.
Beitey hopes that will one day change. Until then they will offer all day camps Monday through Wednesday for about 100 dollars a day during Thanksgiving week.
The YMCA also has camps that week, including at the Krause Family Skatepark in Clairemont, where a three-day camp costs around $250 for non-YMCA members.
“When we see the schools are gonna be out for more than a few days, we open our doors and give parents that opportunity,” said Gary Young with the YMCA.
If a day camp isn't a feasible option, the skatepark also offers memberships starting at $30 a month.
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