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Even on a family vacation (and some say especially on a family vacation), moms and dads sometimes want their own time together. Finding babysitters or childcare workers that you can trust can be scary, but careful research and attention to detail will yield quality options at hotels, vacation resorts and cruises worldwide.
Plan Ahead
Research and planning are keys to locating and verifying that the facilities are qualified to keep your children happy and safe. Before leaving kids at an unknown facility, check out the staff qualifications along with the physical buildings and play areas yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and insist on concrete and thorough answers until you are satisfied that your “babies” will be in capable hands while you enjoy some adult time.
Safety Beyond Our Borders
Different countries have different qualifications and requirements for their childcare facilities. Don’t assume the standards are like ours in the United States. Ask if the providers have CPR training, and who is in charge? Find out who oversees the facility, especially if it’s an on-site childcare center at a hotel. Ask about safety procedures for signing your children in and out, and what is required for them to leave with an adult. Simply signing a sheet of paper is not a secure policy to prevent child theft. Also, check for facility safety regarding covered electrical outlets, secure kids furniture, locked cleaning supplies and secure entrance/exits. When dropping your child off, consider staying for a short while to observe your child in the environment.
It’s a Numbers Game
Consider adult-child ratios, especially at the free on-site facilities. Find out if only a certain number of kids are accepted, what their ratio practice is, whether kids must be potty trained, whether there is a “sick-kid policy” and how parents are contacted in the event of a problem or emergency. Most any facility should have a set of written rules or procedures, and if not, then it’s best to run the other way!
The List
If you are going to a hotel and need a sitter, the concierge can provide a list of childcare services that have met the approval of past guests. Be sure to ask if the list comes with references or at least recommendations from highly qualified or reputable services, because all recommendations are not alike! If the hotel provides their own child care or kids program, parents should check the details in advance of the stay to know what is offered and decide if the programs are right for the family. Again, don’t hesitate to ask questions of the staff ahead of time so you can make an informed decision.
Local visitors’ bureaus are a good source of information on childcare options for areas that do not have onsite facilities, but don’t expect them to offer referrals or recommendations. Usually they provide a listing of places to check that are nearby or offer attractive hours or rates. While their interest is to make you happy so you’ll tell others about your visit, you will need to do the legwork to check out the places yourself.
Complimentary Babysitting
Some all-inclusive resorts offer complimentary babysitting and enriching children’s activities—even for babies and toddlers. You are, of course, essentially paying for the care in the cost of your room or all-inclusive package, but the opportunity for a bit of kid-free time is probably worth it!
Some Examples to Consider
One resort, the FDR Pebbles in Trelawny, Jamaica assigns a Vacation Nanny to families of small children to help the family during the daytime. She is with the family from 9:00 am to 4:40 pm and will care for the children, taking them to activities, giving them a bath or feeding them so Mom and Dad can enjoy their vacation too. There is a $6 per hour charge if her services are required for babysitting in the evening.
Beaches Resorts give kids extra attention with tailor-made fun. There is no additional charge for Kid’s Camp activities, staffed by certified nannies for newborns all the way to pre-teens. The nannies are child development specialists that have been trained and certified in accordance with an accredited U.S. university. Additional professional nanny care is available for after camp hours or individual needs, starting at $10 per hour.
Royal Caribbean cruises offer supervised programs for kids ages three on up without parents needing to be there. In addition, parents can play alongside their infants in the Royal Babies and Royal Tots program offering age-appropriate activities developed with Fisher-Price. Their Late Night Party Zone entertains older kids at night and the Lunch and Play program entertains them during lunchtime. The Sitters-at-Sea program provides individual care for children at least one year old with rates starting around $10 per hour, payable in cash. The newest and biggest ships, Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas coming out later this year, offer staffed nurseries with drop-off childcare options day and night.
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, offers independent childcare through Kid’s Nite Out, an independent childcare company for children ages six weeks to 12 years, available 24/7. Rates start at $16 per hour for in-room care for one child. The professional caregivers arrive prepared with age-appropriate toys, activities, books, games and arts & crafts. You can also arrange for a childcare specialist to accompany your family into the parks, providing a helping hand when needed. Disney also has Children’s Activity Centers available throughout Walt Disney World Resort with themed play spaces, where children ages four to 12 can entertain themselves and have dinner and snacks with other kids their age—usually while parents are off experiencing more grownup fare.
You can see that there are many options when it comes to finding childcare while you are on vacation, but qualifying the facilities and gaining a comfort level requires going the extra mile. Of course, as a parent, this comes with the territory!
