Operators Offering Childcare

Specialist Reports Just For Families With Specialist Childcare Operators Offering Childcare Neilson 

	Neilson
Locksview, Brighton Marina, Brighton BN2 5HA			MAP
tel: (0870) 333 3356

Offering a variety of programmes, notably for families Neilson Beachplus with relaxed hotels and a wide range of activities including windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, mountain biking, tennis, yoga and pilates included in the price. Beauty treatments are also available. Neilson Active includes the option of yachting, mountain biking, walking, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, diving, water skiing, and a range of mountain activities, including skiing (see Skiing report).

Where

Neilson Active - Greece, Turkey, Caribbean, Spain, Croatia, and Egypt; Neilson Beachplus - Corfu, mainland Greece and Turkey.

Style

On Neilson Active holidays the emphasis is on quality of equipment and instruction. Accommodation is comfortable, though rarely luxurious, largely bed and breakfast, with half board and self catering options also available. Activity is always available, but it is emphasised that you are free to do as much or as little as you want.
On Neilson Beachplus holidays accommodation is much more comfortable, being in large resort properties, and includes a 'club board' meal plan including most meals. Good for trying a range of activities in a relaxed atmosphere, or doing almost nothing.

Care Offered

On Neilson Active and Beachplus holidays (plus skiing - see separate report). The care is broadly similar for younger children on the two programmes, though differing in price and age groups/activities.
Club for younger children run 10am to 5.30pm six days a week, excluding an unsupervised lunch-time for Neilson Active, and 10am to 12.30pm and 2.30 to 5.30pm in Neilson Beachplus. For 2 years plus they are generally 10am to 5.30pm six days a week with supervised lunches, costs payable locally in the Active programme, included in Beachplus.
Facilities vary between resorts and not all resorts offer clubs. Facilities generally include both in and outdoor play areas.
Programmes run six days a week throughout the season for the younger age groups, May half term to end of season for the older groups.
All children attending a club receive a goody bag with items such as a hat and t-shirt.
Neilson Active
Starfish Club 4 months - 2 years at £150 per week plus £25 per holiday. Care is by cache/nneb qualified or equivalent staff with a ratio of one nanny to two children and aim to provide continuity of care by ensuring each child is cared for by the same member of staff throughout the holiday. Some toys and games are provided but families are also encouraged to bring personal favourites.
Sea Urchins 2 - 5 years, free. The pace is designed as gentle but with beach, poolside or indoor diversions with toys, games, building blocks, books, sandpits and paddling pools. Staff work alongside the NNEC/CACHE or equivalent Starfish staff.
Surfbusters 5 - 13 years (except Bitez, Turkey - 5-8 years). Free, an activity club involving anything children can safely do on or off the water. Those who can swim try watersports, with games, races and rides. There is also for example painting, beach games, walks, treasure hunts and picnics. Where possible the children are divided into smaller groups depending on confidence and ability.
Hot Shots 8 -13 years, £85 - £125 depending on dates of holiday, second week half price. Includes a mix of sailing, windsurfing and other activities. RYA qualified instructors offer young sailors a chance to improve their abilities with RYA Junior awards for those competent. When not on the water time is spent in the pool or on land-based games and other activities.
Youth Squad 8 -13 years, available in Mar Menor, in Spain and Porto Heli in Greece. £95 - £135, depending on time of year. Second week half price. A dedicated youth sailing club for keen young racers, not suitable for complete beginners. Qualified race instructors coach participants in the fine points of boat handling, race training and tactics. RYA certificates are available to the most able.
Junior Rippers 8 13 years. available in Bitez, Turkey. £95 - £135 depending on time of year. second week half price. A similar dedicated windsurfing club for keen youngsters, not suitable for complete beginners.
Neilson Beachplus
starfish+ club 4 months - 2 years, £220 per week plus only £25 holiday cost. Otherwise as for Neilson Active
sea urchins+ 2 - 5 years. free variety of activities and staffing similar to those for Neilson Active and including face painting, afternoon ice creams, and for the more adventurous the occasional joyrides ont eh Dart 16s, and mystery trips.
surfbusters+ 5 - 8 years. free variety of activities including swimming, tennis, kayaking, snorkelling, treasure hunts and beach play. Those who can swim try dinghy sailing and windsurfing through games, mystery trips and regattas.
sharksters+ 8 -12 years variety of activities including dinghy sailing, sindsurfing,w aterskiing, kayaking, snorkelling and swimming on the water, and on land tennis, team games and fun trips.
Teenage Activities not so much a club - more a casual arrangement for our instructors to help teenagers get to know each other through evening and daytime get-togethers. chill-out zones provided with games consoles.
Babysitting is offered on two nights when the club hours extend into the evening. This will sometimes involve a later start for the clubs.

Cost of Care

Starfish £220 per week per child, second week half price. Sea Urchins and Surfbusters clubs are free. Hot Shots is £75-£115 per week depending on resort and dates. For one week, a second week free and are run by RYA qualified instructors, aiming to improve the abilities of young and aspiring sailors.

Other Features for Children

A stock of baby listening devices are kept in resorts for free loan, though performance of these units can be variable.
Pushchairs, subject to availability, can be borrowed in resort. High chairs and cots are available in resort.
Baby booster packs can be ordered (£20 to £50, depending on resort), providing a fridge, microwave, bottle steriliser, kettle, baby bouncer and changing mat.

Sample Price

A week in August with Neilson Active at Nidri would be £789 bed and breakfast per adult, or £1,069 for two weeks. There is a 20% reduction for under 14.In the Beachplus programme on Corfu the price ‘club board' would be £939 per adult for one week, or £1,340 adult for two and £760 per child for one week, £1,005 for two. Prices include flights, transfers and all activities except kitesurfing and diving. Child prices do not require two parents to travel but apply to a maximum of three children per travelling adult.