Operators Offering Childcare

Specialist Reports Just For Families With Specialist Childcare Operators Offering Childcare Powder Byrne 

	Powder Byrne
250 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 6TG			MAP
tel: (020) 8246 5300

Offers its own childcare facilitis at a selection of five-star hotels. This means parents can stay in a hotel which is not exclusively populated by other British parents, enjoy a decent standard of accommodation and service, while still being able to call on a familiar style of childcare for their offspring.

Where

Resorts offered tend to change from year to year and are not all available throughout the year. They almost always include options in France, Spain and Italy, plus possibly Cyprus, Crete, Tunisia, Mauritius, Dubai, Muscat and the Caribbean.

Style

Four or five-star hotel properties (one three) chosen for their quality though also happening to welcome families, and with an international clientele. (The company points out that ‘these hotels are built in Mediterranean style with stone or marble walkways and steps and all have swimming pools, which present potential dangers to young children. We therefore strongly advise parents to be especially attentive when children are under their sole supervision.'
Some properties have room combinations which are particularly suited to families but each resort is chosen to offer a range of sports facilities, the cost and quality varying between resorts. All offer tennis and most golf or a selection of water sports, with some coaching available.

What Care

Powder Byrne-employed English-speaking and UK-qualified staff run the care over holiday periods 9.30am to 4pm six days a week, with a day off midweek in July and August and at the weekend at Easter, and the May and October half-terms but also say in Faburary in winter sun destinations such as Dubai.
Pre-departure the company sends a questionnaire about your child and any special requirements.
pb For children six months to three years, managed in each resort by a qualified Nursery Nurse and with a staff to child ratio of one to three. There aare separate programme for pre-walkers and toddlers, the older children typically trying finger painting, cutting and sticking, water play, ball games, sing alongs, treasure hunts and beach games. Based in an air-conditioned room equipped with toys and games, this offers indoor activities and outdoor play at cooler times of day. Lunch, provided by at the hotel at an extra charge, is supervised by the nannies. Children can attend as little or as often as they wish.
Scallywags For 4-9 years based in the resort grounds with outdoor games, junior sports and swimming, and quieter indoor activities such as crafts, song and dance. There will also be excursions to outside attractions such as the local water park. Hours are 9.30am to 4pm plus a supervised evening meal 6 to 7pm two evenings a week. The club is included in the holiday price.
Scallywags Sports This is a refinement on the Scallyways option for older children to 9 years, featuring more activities and sports such as dinghy sailing, golf and tennis, for which there may be a local charge, plus some non-sporting creative activities such as art projects, song and dance, rehearsing and preparing for a stage show for parents at the end of the week. There will also be excursions for example to the local water park for which there is a local charge.
TheZone Clubs are for 9-14 years with ‘wet and dry' activities with the emphasis on trying lots of different ones and developing skills in two or three. Options include sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling, water-skiing, fishing, golf, tennis and football. All activities are led by Powder Byrne staff who where required use local instructors. There are also excursions to outside attractions like water parks and these trips are included in the price. There are also evening clubs twice a week from 7-10pm including for example beach games, table football, evening markets, a disco, quiz or a barbecue. Lunch is charged locally and pocket money is required for buying drinks when off site for the day.

Other for Children

Baby food can be purchased near all the resorts and the resort manager will assist with transport to the local supermarkets where possible. If required, food can be liquidised and jars of baby food can be warmed up.
Early dinners are offered at most resorts for the weeks that Scallywags and Scallywags Plus are running. At most resorts toddlers are welcome to join these if accompanied by a parent. The cost is charged extra unless staying on half board.
The company states that ‘where possible we will provide baby seats, child seats and booster seats in its minibuses' for transfers. It asks clients to request which of these is required when booking.
It also points out that ‘due to the distance between the hotel restaurants and bedrooms, baby listening devices do not always have sufficient range to work effectively. You may find them useful at night if your children are in a neighbouring room, so it is worth taking one along if you have one. We have a small number of spare listening devices in each resort.' Babysitting is always in demand and where possible resort staff provide the service themselves, or if necessary will arrange a local babysitter. Advance booking is highly recommended.

Cost of Care

pb £220 per week in school holidays, free outside. Scallywags is free, TheZone £170 per week excluding meals.

Sample Price

A week in a four-star Mediterranean property in August in an apartment suitable for two adults would be around £1,700 per adult and £1,300 for the first child and between £200 and £600 for a second depending on age. Some resorts offer free accommodation for under 11s sharing with parents who would only pay for flight and meals. In their own room they would pay full adult price less a £50 to £100 reduction. Flights in August for under 12s would be from £200 to £750 for seven nights. Under 2s staying with their parents travel free.