The point at which your child grasps skiing and actually begins to enjoy it is usually a memorable highlight for most parents on their ski holidays. However, it’s no secret that it can be a challenge getting them to this point. And what about your own ski time? How will that be impacted if you are so focused on your little one’s progress?
For these reasons, parents often opt for ski holidays with childcare. Whether that’s using a creche, hiring a private nanny, using a daycare service or booking your kids into ski school, there are many childcare options in most popular ski resorts.
In this post, we’ve listed some of the most popular ski resorts in France and highlighted the childcare options on offer within them. Read on to find out more about organising ski holidays with childcare in France…
Things to consider about family ski holidays with childcare…
1. The child’s age
Parents of younger infants aged under 3 may feel more comfortable hiring a private nanny on their ski holiday. Professional nanny services operate in most of the popular ski resorts in France with nannies who specialise in early ages and caring for babies.
Older children aged between 5-10 for example, may not be able to ski a full day but may be able to join a kids club for part of or all of the day. This is a great introduction to skiing from a young age. ESF operate kids clubs in most resorts. Read more about them here.
2. How many children need supervising?
Consider that agencies often have a child to nanny ratio and it can be strict, especially for infants. So ensure you’re prepared to incur extra costs for additional children.
3. How child-friendly is the ski resort you’re staying in?
Some locations are better suited to families than others. Luckily, there is a ‘famille plus’ label awarded to ski resorts that go the extra mile for family holidays. Extra services provided in ‘famille plus’ resorts include additional activities and entertainment, shops providing baby equipment or services for families, medical centres at the foot of the slopes and childcare staff. Discover all the famille plus resorts here.
You can also head over to the destinations section of our blog to discover what’s on in your chosen resort.
4. Plan ahead!
If you’re travelling with your children, the likelihood is you will be visiting the Alps throughout the school holidays, which is the busiest time. It’s really important to book childcare well in advance to guarantee a place with your chosen provider.
5. Come prepared
Some childcare providers may ask you to bring:
- Your child’s health book including proof of vaccinations
- Nappies
- A change of clothes
- A dummy
- A snack
Make sure to mark all of your child’s property with their name.
Childcare services by resort…
Portes du Soleil
Cheeky Monkeys
Morzine
Cheeky Monkeys offers private nannying services as well as equipment to hire such as pushchairs and booster seats. A nanny can come to your chalet or your child can attend their ‘lunch club’, where a nanny will collect your child from their ski lesson and take them to a local restaurant for lunch.
They also offer evening babysitting services at 18 euros per hour. See their site for more information.
Alpine Resort Nannies
Morzine, Les Gets, Châtel
Alpine Resort Nannies offer babysitting services including full-day, half-day and evening babysitting at an hourly rate.
They also provide bespoke hours/days as needed.
3 Valleys
Ski Nanny
Val Thorens, St Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires
Ski Nanny provide a bespoke service across the 3 Valleys. Nannies come well-equipped to your accommodation with an age-appropriate toy box, art equipment and sledges. They also send regular photos and updates throughout the day via text or email.
Their spoken languages include: French, English, Italian, Polish, Arabic and Hebrew.
Paradiski
Plagne Centre Creche
La Plagne Centre
Plagne Centre Creche welcomes children from the ages of 5 months to 6 years, so it’s great if you’re travelling with other families with kids of various ages. The childcare staff will organise fun games and educational activities that the kids can join in with.
Les Lutins Creche
Plagne Aime 2000
Indoor and outdoor activities are organised for children aged 2 to 6 years at Les Lutins Creche in Aime 2000.
Mini Club
Plagne Bellecôte
Mini Club is a kids club by ESF for non-skiing children aged 3 to 5 years old. They also run Club Piou Piou in most resorts, but Mini Club is a good alternative if your child isn’t able to ski or is registered with Club Piou Piou, but doesn’t wish to ski that day. Please note they are closed on Saturdays.
Halte Garderie
Les Arcs
Halte Garderie has the capacity to supervise up to 12 children aged 18 months to 3 years and 12 children aged 3 to 8 years. They are open from Sunday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cariboo’s Club
Les Arcs
Varied activities are organised daily for children aged 9 months to 3 years and there’s a children’s club for 3 to 13-year-olds. Find out more here.
For more childcare options in Les Arcs click here.
Nursery Le Chat Botté
Peisey
Children as young as 1 can join the Nursery in the low season, (in high season they only accept children from 18 months) up to 11 years old. Bookings can be made through ESF. Find out more about their services on their website.
Chamonix
Chavant’s Children’s Club
Les Houches
Chavant’s Children’s Club welcomes kids aged from 3 to 11 years old. Parents can opt for a full day or half-day with or without meals. Kids will enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor activities including snow games, luge and creative workshops. Located next to Prarion Cable Car, it operates from a chalet that includes a canteen, play area and nap area.
Rose Bon Bon Day Nursery
Servoz
Children as young as 10 weeks and as old as 4 years old can attend Rose Bon Bon Day Nursery, which charge an hourly rate for their services.
You can also download a list of recommended babysitters in the Chamonix area here.
Book child-friendly accommodation in the French Alps
The Aravis
Merinannies
La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand
Merinannies is a private nanny service which operates in both La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand, as well as Chamonix, Courchevel, Megève, and Meribel.
Les P’tits Montagnards
La clusaz
In winter, Les P’tits Montagnards has 24 places for non-skiing children aged 8 months to 3 years. Children can enjoy a range of indoor activities including arts and crafts and music. Find out more via their website.
Aravis Babysitting
Across the Aravis region
Aravis Babysitting offers both babysitting and childcare services for guests staying in the Aravis region. Visit their Facebook page to get in touch and find out more.
Club des Champions
La Clusaz
In winter, Club des Champions welcomes children from 3 to 5 years of age during the French holidays and 6 to 11 years old outside the Christmas and February holidays. There are 40 places available at the club, 8 of the places are reserved for children aged 3 years.
Discover child-friendly self-catered properties in the Aravis
Megève / Evasion Mt Blanc
Merinannies
Megève
Merinannies is a private nanny service which operates in Megève, as well as Chamonix, Courchevel, the Aravis, and Meribel.
Nounou-top
Saint Gervais
Nonou-top babysitters is a service where you can find recommended babysitters in Saint Gervais. (Website in French only).
St Nicolas Nursery
Saint Gervais
This daycare nursery cares for children aged 2 to 6 years old and is located at the foot of the slopes below ESF, so it’s the perfect location for families to meet for drop-offs.
MJC de Saint Gervais
Saint Gervais
MJC de Saint Gervais offers a great variety of fun/educational programmes for kids aged 3 to 17 years old.
Garderie des Nieges
Saint Gervais
This nursery is run in collaboration with ESF’s Club Piou Piou and welcomes children aged 3 to 9. Early booking is advised.
Espace Diamant
- Find out about childcare services in Les Saises here.
- Discover childcare services in Praz-sur-Arly here.
Various Resorts Across France
- ESF’s Club Piou Piou operates in most popular ski resorts. It offers an introduction to skiing in a fun, safe environment where children can learn some basic skills.
- Alpine Childcare is a great site where you can find recommended babysitters and nannies across the French Alps.
We hope you found some useful contacts for childcare in your chosen ski resort! If you’re yet to book child-friendly accommodation for your family ski holiday, then don’t forget to take a look at our extensive collection here.
