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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Holidays with Evening Childcare?

32 replies

FuzzyPeachandMoodRings · 26/08/2019 13:07

Does anyone else know any resorts or companies who provide evening kids clubs like Mark Warner do please? My children LOVE them as they feel all grown up going 'out' on their own partying (obvs with nannies etc!) Of course I'll selflessly go and have an adult meal too

Can't seem to find any others. I know Neilson do it but only a couple of days a week. Thank you!

OP posts:

SJane48S · 27/08/2019 04:24

Out of curiousity, why did you stop at 8? As previous, not all DC (and my DD was 2 at the time) seemed to love the younger group day club which in effect was a nursery with lots of arts and crafts. They spent the majority of time in doors (it was extremely hot outside mind!).

TantricTwist · 27/08/2019 11:14

@SJane48S because they didn't want to do all the activities any more so it didn't seem worth the extra cost for the activities plus they were more independent. I found I was too tired from working all year to make use of the sailing and just wanted to flop by the sea or pool. Plus they got fed up being surrounded by so many little ones as they didn't want to go off sailing on their own etc or with me.

If the MW holidays were cheaper and the resorts were just MW guests (because the hols were cheaper) only then would I reconsider going back. I would like to go back and not be paying for the activities if we don't feel like doing them because it's a nice safe holiday to go to surrounded by pleasant holiday makers.

TantricTwist · 27/08/2019 11:17

By activities mine were doing the sailing, kayaking, windsurfing a really good selection of things which they embraced fully with the other kids till around age 9 ish. Then they can sign themselves out if they want and swim at the pool instead which is what they wanted to do more so we just started going to different resorts instead which didnt factor in the cost of the activities of sailing etc.

SJane48S · 27/08/2019 11:18

They’re not cheap for sure!

TantricTwist · 27/08/2019 11:35

The first MW we did was outside the School holidays in June so was very cheap. It was a brilliant holiday and they were 3/4 or 4/5 I forget which really. I did take them out of school, one was in reception the other still in nursery. They are obvs not so cheap during the actual summer holidays but I just found them so well organised so it was perfect for my DC at that age.

I used to fly a lot alone from a very young age, my DC don't however.

I very much enjoyed the dropping them off at a creche so I could relax and have a few drinks with the grown ups without worrying about the DC.
I saw them enough in the day. Plus for the younger DC there is only a half day of activities so you spend plenty of time time with them by the pool. I am a sociable being as are my DC so the MW holiday worked perfectly for all of us.

stucknoue · 27/08/2019 11:54

Look at a cruise, most have childcare 9am to midnight. No idea if parents use it for the entire time. Most have younger kids, older kids then teen clubs. We were given a pager when we did it (years ago) but the problem was getting them to come out of kids club (Disney so think disco with Donald and bedtime stories with Cinderella!). They could even stay on board when the boat docked if they didn't fancy sightseeing

SJane48S · 27/08/2019 12:02

Strokes for folks honestly! I can see how for sporty DC the club activity side would appeal. For the small ones though, less exciting unless they’re particularly into the day to day nursery stuff. I can very honestly see the appeal of kids clubs for a couple of hours a day and did try them with both DDs, neither liked them at all and preferred to be in the pool with newfound mates or off the resort with us. Having said that, youngest DD hates all summer activity clubs (I work full time and would love her to like them) but will very happily go to singing/netball/rugby/scouts/choir so pretty mercurial!

For anyone on this thread who hasn’t been on a MW holiday (and I’m guessing from the response and venom this might be a few!), the kids clubs are open from 9-12.30, 2.30-5.30 and then 7.30-10.30. As the PP has said, older children can check out of it, nor is it in anyway compulsory. Some parents like the OP do half and half. My own experience was that over 50% of parents used the full provision every day for the whole time they were there. Quite clearly it’s not something I’m pro but if all family members are loving this kind of experience then quite honestly, none of my business and fair enough!

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