In Queenstown, one of the options is to sign the youngsters up for a holiday programme.
The Queenstown Oscar Holiday Programme is provided by Queenstown After School Care Ltd at Queenstown Primary School, and started its four-week programme yesterday.
It is open to children aged 5 to 12 years old, and can accommodate a maximum of 20 children.
Three qualified teachers are running the programme, which offers a mix of scheduled activities and play time.
The pupils can enjoy crafts, sports, cooking, games, picnics and even the occasional pyjama party.
Jane Scheib, director of Queenstown After School Care Ltd, said the programme let parents get back to work in the knowledge their children were in a secure and stimulating environment.
"We usually have many of the very young children, but this year is a good mix, with the majority of the children in the group between 6 and 9 years old.
"The first week is always a bit quiet, but the programme gets more booked up further into the four-week period, as more parents have to return to work," she said.
The programme can be joined for specific days or weeks, and costs $30 per day for each child, or $140 for a five-day week.
Ms Scheib said many families would qualify for subsidies, which covered most of the charge.
There is still room available for more children on the programme this week, and a few spaces for the following weeks.
