Finding child care while on vacation or away from home can be somewhat...well, scary! How do you really know your kids will be taken care of properly and kept happy and safe? Numerous resorts and vacation hot spots offer child care services, but parents should really check out the facilities and staff qualifications before leaving kids at an unknown facility. Here are places to try and things to consider before dropping off your tots!
Kids clubs abound at tourist resorts and vacation getaways, but being confident your child will be kept safe and happy is a different matter. A big problem at many locations is that staff over kid clubs may or may not be safety trained and child care professionals; they may likely be teens needing a summer job and this is what was available. Language is another obstacle; at many resorts in Mexico, for example, staff understands basic English, but if you try and go into details about your child's asthma or needing to take medicine at a certain time, you might as well be talking to a mannequin. And if you can't understand the staff, what will your child think? Credentials and training vary; make sure you feel your child is in good hands.
How important is having a license or certification any way, and what exactly does it mean in terms of providing quality care for kids? Make sure you understand the issues before heading off on you trip.
It is becoming rare for a family to no longer carry a cell phone. The ability to contact a person immediately provides an extra level of comfort and security. Before taking kids on a vacation or out-of-town, be sure that any youngster old enough to learn a phone number does so, and then practice, practice, practice before heading out. A child needs to be able to recite that number in the event of something going wrong. Once there, you need to verify that you have cell phone coverage. If not, leave information of where you'll be and a primary number in which staff can contact you if needed. You should also request the facility's phone number along with a personal cell number of staff as a back-up...so you can check on your child.
Kids can become quite apprehensive about attending a new daycare or any child care setting for that matter, and a vacation "kids club" is no different. If you've given your approval to a facility, then a next step might be to plan a short visit of an hour or so to let your child adjust to the new setting without feeling deserted by parents. If all goes well (and often, your child is having so much fun he doesn't want to leave), then you can plan a longer visit next time!
Ask your child about her experiences after an initial visit and find out what she liked or didn't about the child care center. Listen, really listen, to feedback but don't get swayed either by how "horrible" it was simply because your tot didn't get to sit in a red chair but instead was given the blue chair at lunch. (Yes, anyone with small kids knows that this can become a really HUGE deal!) Encourage your child to make a new friend who will hopefully be returning for another visit as well. If your child voices concerns, then use that information to determine whether you should find another care source. If in doubt, talk with staff there and get their take on your child's version of events before making a final decision.
A seaside outing to collect shells, picnic at a nearby park, or even a nature walk can sound like a wonderful experience, but be wary of any off-site field trips or outings at on-site child care that involves either transportation or group hikes away from a secured facility. Keep in mind that child safety and required carseats or booster seats may not be the same as what is in the U.S. If the field trip is a walking tour, how will staff monitor the children and make sure that everyone leaves and returns safety? There have been numerous reports of kids who run off during outings to look for their parents, only to become lost and frightened. While the great majority of stories have happy endings, be sure you know what you're getting!
The internet has opened up vast opportunities for open and immediate feedback to a variety of experiences; child care being no exception. Reviews of child care settings, sometimes even located dirctly on the hotel or resort site, so parents can at least see what others have said about a particular facility. While you should keep in mind that a single bad experience doesn't mean the facility should be avoided or that a glowing report means they whouldn't check out the place thoroughly, reviews can provide additional information and meaningful insight.
Whether it's the au pair you are using, a professional nanny, or a beloved teenager down the street who often watches your kids, consider bringing them along for your trip if you're desiring an extra set of eyes and helping hands. Many families do just that, providing opportunities for parents to have couple time while a trusted person watches their kids on occasion. This is a great option if you're trying to combine work and pleasure on a trip. Just be sure you're comfortable enough with the person to entrust them to keep a close eye on your kids and be prepared to pay more for a room and entertainment. Having a connected room is one possible solution.
If your child is staying in a child care facility around mealtime, the natural assumption is that they will be fed. Most likely, you won't be able to pack a sack lunch either. So, what will they feed your child anyway and is it anything he will eat? Most vacation care centers actually offer a wide variety of food choices that range from the regular (chicken nuggets, hamburgers, french fries) to international offerings if they attract kids from outside the United States. But be sure to ask how the food is prepared, how it is stored, and how they handle kids with certain food allergies (such as being allergic to peanuts or dairy). Be sure you feel good about food choices and preparation to lessen risk of food poisoning or other illnesses.
No surprise here: child care can cost a lot more than in your home community and the services may not be as good. It's a case of supply and demand, and parents traveling to vacation travel spots looking for a child-free evening or often willing to open their wallets a little more as long as they know their child will in good hands. Costs can range from 10-50 percent more of what you typically pay; even more if you're talking about a babysitter coming to your hotel room to watch your children. However, some resorts entice parents with free child care services, but those are often limited in terms of time, space and activities and are best for kids aged 4-10. Many facilities simply won't accept any infant or tot who is not potty trained.
