Emma Langridge of Nannies Abroad paints an idyllic picture of childcare overseas, telling Nursery World of whizzing down the ski slopes in Switzerland, sledging, building snowmen, and drinking hot chocolate in cafes amid beautiful mountain scenery.
Other childcare professionals such as Rachel Elford of Esprit and Lyn Ward of Powder Byrne told us similarly appealing stories of afternoons spent building snowmen, or mornings spent on the sunny beach with children.
However, they were also keen to emphasise that childcare abroad is no holiday. A typical working week is six days, starting around 8.30am, and on some days not finishing until 10pm if you're scheduled for evening club duties or babysitting. You may also be required to cover for team members if they are ill. 'Flexibility is key,' says Tina Rhodes of Esprit. 'You may also get slots of time off during the week, but it depends on the role and the place.'
Most of the travel operators we spoke to provide the basic essentials for your new life overseas, including shared accommodation, transport to and from the resort and meals or a food allowance.
Salaries tend to vary from employer to employer and by level of seniority, but you can expect to be paid a minimum of 85 a week, with plenty of opportunities to make extra cash through babysitting and tips. It's important to remember that as all food, accommodation and transport is provided, the money you earn is yours to spend on whatever you like. Sarah Beecham, nanny manager at Scott Dunn, says, 'The money lasts very well, as all accommodation and bills are included. I always come back with money saved.'
Lyn Ward agrees. 'Last time I came home I had 1,000 in the bank. It meant I could have some time off when I got back.'
You employer should also provide support when you are overseas for any general problems you might encounter. Tina Rhodes explains, 'Each resort has a childcare manager who is the direct line manager, and you can go to them with any issues. Above that there are a whole range of managers around, so there is always someone to talk to and sort out any issues. For example, if a family member is ill and someone needs to go home, we will always do our best to accommodate.'
Oliver Demontfort of Powder Byrne says, 'There is plenty of support available for our staff. We have fully trained resort managers, a specific human resources team and a 24-hour emergency team to help with any urgent problems.'
Back at your living quarters, sharing a room or living in a villa with up to six people will mean you have a full social life from day one. As Rachel Elford says, 'You are surrounded by energetic, enthusiastic teams and people who know how you're feeling.'
Staying in touch is easy. Most resorts have access to the internet, and you can buy a local SIM card to use in your mobile, keeping the cost of calls down.
How, then, to spend that precious one day a week off? You are likely to have a range of choices depending on whether you opt for sun or snow.
Rachel says, 'I ski all the time; it has become a way of life. But there is also lots of shopping, sledging and plenty of bars and restaurants. You'll never be bored.'
Lucy Shakespeare from Sunsail, who has just returned from a beach resort in Turkey, says, 'You can learn to sail, yacht surf, wind surf, go mountain biking and use all the equipment on your days off.
You will have some evenings free. Whether you are in a ski or beach resort, there should be plenty in the way of bars, restaurants and cinemas to keep you busy, or you may be offered extra paid babysitting work.
One thing all the childcarers we spoke to agreed on are the differences between childcare at home and that in a resort.
Olive Demontfort says, 'It's a completely different childcare experience.
The emphasis is on fun, plus you're working as part of a team, and building relationships with parents. It looks great on a CV.'
Kerry Faulkner agrees. 'Looking after children in a holiday atmosphere means that they're excited and in a good mood all the time.'
Judging by the experiences of our contacts, you are likely to find yourself leading treasure hunts, building snowmen or leading space or jungle themed activity weeks. However, Lucy Shakespeare of Sunsail says, 'Take any ideas you have from working in nurseries in the UK. If you have a portfolio of activities, take that along with you.'
You may also find yourself entertaining children in the evenings while parents are having dinner. Rachel Elford tells us, 'We have the Coco Club evening activities for children, which means parents can go out for a drink or whatever they want to do. We hold slumber parties and quiz nights in the evening to keep the kids entertained.'
Many of our contacts found they had to adjust to facing a new group of children to look after every one or two weeks, after caring for more familiar children for long periods back in the UK.
Gemma Bray of Powder Byrne says, 'Every week or so we had different children. They tend to be upset and crying on the first day, as everything is new, but at the end of the week they are enjoying themselves so much they don't want to leave!'
Tina Rhodes adds, 'It is challenging as we are strangers and we have to get the children settled in very quickly. But it's rewarding when the children have settled in. We often have children writing in to say how great their holiday was.'
So you packed up your job, went overseas, met incredible people and had a fantastic time. But the season doesn't last forever, so what can you do as the season comes to an end and you have to say goodbye to the all the fun? Oliver Demontfort says the benefits of working overseas don't finish with the end of the season. 'We find it gives many people an idea of what they want to do in life. Plus in a resort, people will make new contacts - for example, they may go on and work privately for one of the families they met at the resort.'
Some travel operators, such as Esprit, offer a returning bonus, meaning you could be paid extra to have the time of your life all over again. Other travel operators such as Sunsail offer returning staff priority over their destination, so you could go back to the same resort, meet up with some old colleagues and relive those great experiences.
CASE STUDY
Name: Paul Spinks
Age: 22
Locations visited: Greece (Paleros)
Company: Mark Warner
Season: Summer
Job title: Nanny
Typical day: 9am - parents bring children; morning activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing; 12.30pm - parents pick up children for lunch; water activities such as canoeing, sailing, play 'paint the nanny!'; 5pm - take children for high tea
Qualifications: BTec National Diploma in Early Years
Best experience and skills gained: I made great friends and got on well with the families. I also got a suntan for the first time ever! I've also got more experience of working within a big team for different managers.
Glad you took: Mobile phone.
Wish you had taken: My laptop, so I could watch DVDs in my time off.
Pluses: A great team. Everyone got on and they become like family after a while. We only had each other for six months.
Minuses: Homesickness, plus occasional bad weather, which reminds you of home and makes you more homesick!
Advice: Be committed, just enjoy it and make the most of your time and all the opportunities available such as sailing and windsurfing.
Would you do it again? Yes, definitely next summer and possibly this winter.
CASE STUDY
Name: Gemma Bray
Age: 22
Locations visited: Switzerland (Grindelwald)
Company: Powder Byrne International
Season: Winter
Job title: Creche manager
Typical day: 8.15am - arrive at creche; 8.30am - open nursery; meet and greet parents; practical activities (take children out for a walk, build snowmen); 12pm - lunch; creative activities (artwork, drawing), go for a walk; play in the creche; 4pm - parents pick up children; babysitting in evenings if required.
Qualifications: Diploma in Childcare and Education
Best experience and skills gained: All the different challenges. I was nanny to one child before and now I've been nanny to lots of different children. I've picked up managerial skills, planning and organisational skills and received excellent feedback back in the UK.
Sorry you took: I took a massive suitcase and ended up paying 150 in excess. I didn't even wear any of the clothes.
Wish you had taken: Marmite.
Pluses: The opportunity to see lots of different countries and the challenge of looking after so many different children.
Minuses: None whatsoever
Advice: Go for it, it's the best thing ever! Its done so much for me.
Would you do it again? Yes, I'm going to Austria in December.
