I'm hugely in favor of year-round school, although I hate the current short mid-year breaks enough that I'm not in favor of a schedule with more / longer mid-year breaks. I'd much rather see mixed-age classrooms with self-paced work, and the ability to take kids out of school for whatever reason (including parental whim) within limits, but no school-mandated breaks.
I also think elementary school ought to run from 8am to 5 or 6pm, and include multiple rest / free play periods, as well as daily music / art / sports activities (rather than the rotation that gets PE in once or twice a week).
Caveat that I live in a state where homeschooling is constitutionally protected, and "whatever the parent feels is appropriate" is all you're required to do as far as homeschooling, and see childcare as way up on the list of benefits provided by public elementary schools.
