If you've been a ski nanny

[SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter]

for just 1 or 2 weeks, how did it come about? I'm really keen to find a job with a family wanting a nanny to join them on their ski holiday over half term. The family I regularly nanny for will be away without me and I'd love an excuse to visit the mountains! The trouble is it seems like ski resorts have nannies working there 'for the season' who stay in staff accommodation and visit the family they're working with daily. I'm looking to travel with the family from the UK, stay in their accommodation and just be there for the week. Has anyone done this? Which agency did you go through?

I am a ski nanny based in a resort, and I would strongly suggest posting on Facebook groups for specific resorts to offer your services as a travelling holiday nanny.
Good luck 👍

That's a good idea, I never thought of that!

That would be so expensive for the family though? A room in luxury hotel might be over €1000 per night, the cost per bedroom in a luxury chalet in a top resort could easily be €15,000+ per week over a peak week like Feb half term. Whilst there’s obviously an advantage to taking your own nanny, you’d be a complete stranger to the kids you did this for so what would be the advantage of you over the resort nanny agency? The agencies also know all the good places to take kids in resort, can do play dates with the other nannies and will also provide toys, baby equipment, all terrain strollers etc. And I don’t think you’d be seeing much of the mountains beyond the soft play and local farm because if you’re looking after little non skiers then it’d probably be expected that you work 6 full days.

Sorry I know that sounds negative, and I know you said you wanted to hear from nannies so feel free to ignore me, after all you’ve nothing to lose by posting some ads on resort sites, but as someone who goes several times a year and always uses a ski nanny I just thought I’d offer up my perspective in case it’s helpful! That said you might get a taker from someone last minute who has found all the agencies and the resort crèche are fully booked and are willing to throw some serious money at it. Nothing ventured nothing gained right? Good luck!

The other thing to consider is whether you have the right to work or not. If you have an EU passport, crack on. If not, you’d need a visa and I doubt it would be straightforward. Different from the halcyon days when I did a ski season (well pre Brexit).

Given how late it is I wonder if I’d ring round the big companies in your position. It may not be what you wanted ideally but there are many childcare staff who work peak weeks only to cover the surge in demand and obviously you have a great CV for that. Scott Dunn, VIP, Powder Byrne etc. Sure there are more. Although @Radiatorvalves is quite right about the passport. I did know people who did what you are hoping to do but it was pre Brexit. In that case it was a family chalet so they could find accommodation for her.

If you came over with a family for a holiday as their own domestic staff (nanny) then you wouldn't need a visa.
There are lots of families who don't travel luxury, and who may be prepared to consider the price of an extra seat on a budget flight, and for a nanny to bunk on a sofabed in their chalet.
Parents who ski are often passionate about the sport, and many book me to care for their tiny babies before the babies are even born!
A tag-along nanny can provide a lot of flexibility and allow for some extra apres ski.
I am convinced there is a market, but you will need to promote your services, and your experience and qualifications/reviews are key.
You wouldn't be commanding huge reimbursement either, but you would be in the mountains!
Please send me a private message as I may be able to help you further.

Thank you for all your input guys, it's much appreciated!

I know typically families use the creches and on-site nanny service. However I have seen the occasional agency role for one off 'travel nanny' job that would fit what I mean, I've just always had other commitments at those times! I even had a family I previously nannied for during their summer holidays contact me this time last year to ask me to accompany them skiing, but I was with my long-term family and had to turn them down. The uber-wealthy families I've known usually take their regular nannies with them, but it's always possible a nanny will take time off that'll coincide with their hol and they'll want a temp.

@babybluefish I'm having a hard time finding any FB pages for specific resorts! Are you based in France? I was hoping for Austria or a German speaking area of Switzerland as I'm interested in improving my German. I guess France is the typical 'go-to for British families though!

@InTheRainOnATrain €15,000 is insane!!! Wow! I was just thinking some families like to have the nanny from start to finish, to keep the kids out of their hair on the plane etc - I've had a couple of jobs like that.

@Radiatorvalves That would only be if I were employed by the resort though right? I have had jobs as a holiday nanny before where I've flown out with the family and worked from start to finish without a Visa, but that was pre-Brexit...

@sellingpetrol I know it's absolutely last minute, and everyone will have their childcare in place by now! I was just hoping as it's half term week, and I'm imagining that's THE busiest time for family ski resorts (especially as I believe France and Germany have the same half term as us this year!) that the demand would be such that there'd be a use for me somehow/somewhere! It's such a long shot but I'm burning to go, I'm clutching at all possible straws!

I’m not an immigration or tax expert, but suspect it would not be permitted. Whether you’d be discovered is perhaps unlikely. I’d be wary of employing someone on that basis but I’m pretty risk averse (and work for a company that doesn’t let me wfh on holiday due to potential tax issues).

I’ve used a ski nanny as it was much cheaper than taking our own. The nanny in resort could ski and then took our little ones home. I’d ask those companies as there was very limited availability. Perhaps they’d take you if you could do a week attached to a specific enquiry - might be a bit late for this year

I checked, and according to the Austrian embassy it's fine for a week-long trip!

Check out Powder Byrne . They may need someone last minute.

I emailed them this am but haven't heard back. It's so extremely short notice now I'm sure people will have their childcare sorted. I just don't want to be twiddling my thumbs for the next 2 weeks though, if I could be in the alps!

Give them a call. They have people that drop out really last minute.