Finding a Private Holiday Nanny

Practicalities Using Childcare Finding a Private Holiday Nanny 

If you don't want to take your own nanny on holiday with you but want personalised childcare, the best way to find a nanny is word of mouth. A recommendation from another family is invaluable.

Failing that you may have to use an agency. Agencies are expensive and only as good as the girl they provide for you, and there are some rather poor nannies on the market.

Note also that some are reported to take only telephone references and do not police check potential carers.

However, if you aware of the potential shortcomings and are unable to find anyone via another route, you could try an agency. Any decent agency should be able to provide someone suitable but the following advertise themselves as specifically catering to the holiday market:

Snowkidz

Abbots Worthy House, Abbots Worthy, Winchester SO21 1DR
tel: 01962 881188

This is run by the operation which has set up KidzAbroad, a campaign to improve childcare standards overseas. They report rigorous reference checking of all potential carers.

Tinies

Unit 14 Block A, 126-128 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LZ
tel: 020 7384 0322

Recommended by Abercrombie & Kent, has a system to ensure that all carers' references are thoroughly checked and matched to the relevant age of your children. The agency even says that, using its temporary and emergency service, it can provide a carer in less than 24 hours if you have been let down or decide to take a holiday at short notice.

Rates are £50 per day, to look after two children for 8-10 hours. You would of course have to pay for transport, board and lodging in addition.

Nappy Valleys

22 Nansen Road, London SW11 5NT
tel: 020 7223 9877

Around six qualified private nannies in the Val' d'Isere area, specifically filling a gap for children younger than 3 years. All are English qualified. Rates rate from £400 to £460 depending on dates. The nannies are based in the resort so there is no need to pay for accommodation and flights. Might introduce private nannies for other holidays in future.

Bestbear

Lists vetted nanny agencies in the UK, some of which can provide a holiday nanny. Before being invited to join Best Bear an agency is phoned by an experienced nanny. She poses as a 20-year-old with very little experience and only offering limited references. The agency is only considered to have passed the test if they insist on meeting her in person, demand two references, refuse to allow her a sole charge nanny position (some suggesting a mother's help position) and do not allow her to start in any position until her references have been chased up.