Mumsnet Talk

We're going on a big once in a lifetime all family ski holiday in La Rosiere with Espirt in March (paid for by grandparents to celebrate their 70th - incredible!). I'm quite keen to avoid the Espirt nursery for my DD (2.5) as I'd prefer her to be out and about enjoying the mountain air and sunshine (fingers crossed!), but doing all the childcare myself would mean I'd never get to ski. Any ideas where I could place an ad for a part-time nanny/babysitter to take DD and her 3 year old cousin a couple of hours a day to help me out? Do you know where ski nannies/babysitters would look for work online? Thanks so much.

Not sure about where to get one, but any private nannies have to be paid for as part of the chalet party, so you'll have to pay for her trip as well as wages... Could you get someone that you know, eg nursery nurse, to come? Or try an agency? Agency nannies will be used to adapting to temporary situations. I have no experience, only thinking aloud, so sorry if its wrong!

Thanks Boxoftricks for thinking aloud - always useful! But I was hoping to find someone for just a couple of hours a day - perhaps they would be someone doing a season looking for some extra cash, or similar. I thought there might be a job bulletin board online for that kinda thing. You never know - thx anyway

Ahhhh I see what you mean now. If you have search for work abroad forums you might find something. The only thing with season workers (I have been one!) is that you work 6 day weeks, most of the day, so you might find it difficult to get someone who is already employed out there.

Are there any private nanny agencies working in the resort your in? I would check the t&c's as Esprit are v. Explicit, saying they don't allow private nannies unless in your party.

(Sorry to post again!)
But esprit nurseries do take the children outside etc, tobogganing etc. what is it you don't like about them? The numbers are still small, and they do lots of outside activities

Thanks so much boxoftricks, and good point about season workers (a couple of years ago I found a brilliant lady - English by chance - who had been married to a local for years so lived in the resort all year and just wanted babysitting money - not sure why I thought I could replicate it, as it was prob a one off!). I agree Esprit seem great for kids 3 plus - my son, now 5 - did "snow club" last year which involved all sorts of outdoor fun. However, the nursery seemed quite focused on very little babies, was down in a basement with little light - not great for a 2.5 year full of energy! Feel a bit stuck as I mentioned it's not "our" holiday (just hugely grateful for being taken away by grandparents, so def don't want to complain!) but want my DD to have fun too. I don't mind not skiing for most of the time to be with her, but feel a couple of hours here and there to join in might be wise...really appreciate your help though!

A quick google threw up these guys littleangels who cover La Rosiere, there may be others. But also speak to Esprit as depending on the mix of children in the nursery, they will be as keen as your kids are to get out and have fun.

Brilliant - thanks so much MistyB :-)

We went to La Rosiere last year and my DS was 2 and we used the nursery there but not sure if it was Esprit. The staff were lovely and they took the kids out playing and tobogganing. It was upstairs and the kids could look out onto the slopes and the age range of the kids were quite mixed.

I put DS in for the mornings from 9-13:15. WHich I think was long enough and then he would either have a nap or we would go sledging or swimming etc. It was great.

http://winter.larosiere.net/winter-kids-club.html

Looks great Iwantanafternoonnap - definitely looking into that option too. Thanks so much!