Club Med or Esprit for very smalls?

[Upatnight]

Club Med more expensive, but is it better?

[CaurnieBred]

Are you only looking at those two for a particular reason?

When DD needed non-skiing creche we used Ski Beat in Plan Peisey, then Le Ski in La Tania 2 years in a row when she was on the nursery slopes (as they would collect after lesson for lunch and afternoon creche) and have been using Esprit since we felt she needed more than the creche environment.

There are other companies out there that provide childcare - if you want even higher end than Club Med there is always Scott Dunn :-)

[Upatnight]

Looking at everything and totally confused!

[Upatnight]

Children ages 2,4,6,8!

[superking]

Try Snowfocus/ chalet la sonnaille in chatel. We've stayed there a couple of times. It's a small company with very flexible childcare options.

[duplofrenzy]

Have done both Esprit and snow focus. Preferred Esprit, especially in terms of the childcare set up and effort from staff.

[duplofrenzy]

Have never done club Med so I am afraid I can't help you with that comparison.

[TheGreenTriangle]

We've not been with Club Med, but having seen them in resorts I would stick with Esprit.

We often saw large (> 10) groups of Club Med kids on the slopes; Esprit ski classes tend to be quite small. For the 4 year old at least, there'd also be Esprit childcare staff accompanying them during the ski lessons (helping them get their gear on etc.)

[Upatnight]

Thanks, that is very helpful

[Upatnight]

Basically not worried about the older ones but would love some really good, caring, fun, flexible childcare for the under 4s.

[Artandco]

Cheapest way would be to get a chalet or apartment you want, then hire a private nanny either in resort or travel with you from uk. Either will be cheaper and more flexible as then you can choose accomadation you like

[TheGreenTriangle]

2 is too young for ski lessons I believe, and if it's the first time for the 4 year old (please confirm with Esprit) they do playing in the morning, followed by lunch and then the ski lesson in the afternoon when it's warmed up a but generally.

They also take the tiny non skiing kiddies out for various walks, playing in the snow, "picnics" up the mountain etc. I can't rate them highly enough obviously (promise I don't work for them!) On the downside, none of this comes cheap... whichever option you go for. Good luck with the choosing and have a great time wherever / whoever you go with.

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

We did Mark Warner La Plagne with our 1 + 3 year old (at the time) and the location of the hotel is good for nipping back, the 3 year old could have lessons and the kid care was very good. We used a monitor to listen to the kids, but I realise not everyone would do that, Esprit do a listening service which is good. I found E childcare very regimented and less flexible than MW.

My preferred option would be ski school in the mornings for the 4, 6,8 and a nanny for the 2 year old. This assumes the 6 & 8 year old would ski with you in the afternoon too and the nanny would have the 4 year old in the afternoon, but a nanny can have up to 4 kids occasionally. We did this with Ski Total in Tignes and it worked well with our 4, 4, 6, 6. We all skied some afternoons and she then took the 4 year olds for a play, craft, hot choc, crepe, bus ride, trampoline etc.

sorry if that's a bit garbled, just on hold with a work call and dashing this out!

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Family Ski have been excellent for us and our group of friends. The ski school helpers with the younger ski groups make a huge difference and their childcare staff are all excellent (right through the ages)