Finding Childcare While on Vacation

Taking a family vacation does not mean that you have to spend every waking minute together. If you have not brought your baby-sitter along, you can find quality childcare while vacationing that will allow you to spend some well-deserved time alone. A little bit of time alone or with your spouse can be refreshing and relaxing.

If you are staying at a large hotel in the United States, they may provide baby-sitting services in the hotel. If your hotel does not offer onsite childcare services, the concierge will probably be able to give you a list of bonded, licensed baby-sitting services in the area. Because of the risk of liability, do not expect a recommendation from the hotel staff. They will probably just hand you a list of childcare services in the area. If your hotel does not provide a list of possible caregivers, call Child Care Aware. Child Care Aware is a national service for quality child-care referrals that can refer you to the local number for licensed childcare providers at your destination. The number for Child Care Aware is (800) 424-2246. There list should give you more choices than the hotel list. Once you call the local referral service, ask for caregivers that provide or specialize in short-term care.

Resorts and hotels often claim that they have quality childcare for children. Simply put, some do and some do not. While a hotel may offer lavish accomodations, gourmet food and exciting activities for adults, the smallest guests may get the short end of the deal when it comes to childcare. Many resorts will offer childcare, but it will not be licensed care. In most states, hotels do not need to be licensed because the parents could be onsite as well. Ask other parents about their experiences with the hotels childcare. Some hotels also implement policies that restrict what ages they can provide care for. If your hotel or resort does offer onsite childcare, find out if they are licensed and what their ratio is. Ask how long the childcare center has been in business at the hotel and how long the teachers have worked with them. You might also want to find out what type of experience and training the staff has. The ratio should not exceed 1:4 for an infant program and 1:6 for preschool aged children. FInd out what types of activites your child will be engaged in and if there is something special that is needed.

If your hotel does not offer onsite childcare, your options will be limited to baby-sitters that come to the hotel and centers that offer drop-in child care services. Baby-sitters are more convenient, but are also usually less experienced than caregivers at a childcare center. A baby-sitter will come to the hotel and you will need to decide whether to allow your child out of the room with the sitter while you are gone. Drop-in childcare services do offer experienced staff and may offer you a beeper to keep in youch with your children while you are away.

When looking for childcare while you are on vacation, you will want to ask a series of questions to ensure a proper fit. Do not wait until the day of your outting to search for a caregiver. If possible, gather a list of possible childcare services before you arrive at your destination.

Call the sitter or center first and ask these quesitons:

1.) Is the caregiver licensed, bonded and insured?

2.) How long has the center been in business? How much experience do the sitters have and with what ages? Look for a minimum of two years of experience working with small children. Ask about early childhood coursework and any CPR or first aid trainings. Do they have references available?

3.) Ask about discipline policies. Ask this important question open-ended so that you will be able to find out if your philosophy and her's are a match.

4.) If my child is with you for a meal or snack, do you provide their food or do I need to prepare and/or bring it along?

After you have narrowed your list down and have found a few possibilities, ask to meet with the sitter or center. Take your children with you so that you can see how the caregiver interacts with your child.

1.) Does the caregiver treat your child well? Does she seem interested in them and friendly? Does she get down on their level to speak to them?

2.) If you are at a childcare center, look around the room. Is it welcoming and friendly? Does it seem safe? Are the other children happy and involved in an activity?

Trust your instincts. If you do not feel good about a particular person or environment,do not leave your children and keep looking for the right fit. Simply thank the person for their time and let her know that you do not think the arrangement will work out. No matter where you leave your child, you want to make sure that the arrangements are quality. Nothing can ruin a night out on the town like a bad childcare arrangement can.