Skiing holidays can be a huge success for familie

Skiing holidays can be a huge success for families with children of all ages. Careful planning is necessary however to ensure that everyone has a good time and that parents holidays are not ruined by anxieties about childcare. The ideal solution is a personal family nanny, and in some resorts it is no longer necessary to take your own as local organisations such as Snow Angel Nannies in Les Deux Alps, Alpe d'Huez, La Tania, Courchevel, Meribel and Tignes will supply a suitably qualified nanny.

Having a private nanny to look after a baby means that parents can ski with easy minds. Nannies should be qualified and CRB checked and should also have a first aid qualification. The nanny will also be able to bring the baby to meet up with parents in a suitable cafe at the bottom of the slopes so that the family have extra time together and parents can reassured that all is well with the baby.

Toddlers are also best entertained by a nanny who can give them plenty of individual attention. The nanny can take your toddler out to play in the snow for as long as suits that child: they do not have to fit in with the activities planned for a group which can result in one child being cold and fed up before the session ends, whilst another had to come in before he'd finished having fun!

Older children can be dressed up for ski school, delivered there, and fetched at the end of the session by their nanny. This solves the problem of different ski school times for adults and children or time limited parental skiing. A nanny can bring older children to rendezvous with parents at mountain restaurants for lunch, or to the nursery slopes for a family ski session.

Key things to remember to take on a family ski holiday include favourite toys, a suitable buggy for babies or toddlers, and - crucially - plenty of warm, waterproof clothing including hats and gloves, sunglasses etc.

Key things to look for in a resort include suitable nursery slopes for children 4 years and above, a good child friendly ski school such as the European Ski and Snowboard School in Les Deux Alpes. Accommodation available close to the slopes, plenty of spaces for sledging/snowman building....does your chalet have a snow filled garden? Child friendly resorts include Alpe d'Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Tignes and The 3 valleys.

key things to look for in a nanny service include the qualifications of the nannies, CRB checking, First aid training. Flexibility is also an advantage - will the nanny arrive early/late to suit your plans for the day, and will they fin in with your wishes to bring the children to meet you for lunches/hot chocolates? Will the nanny, if you wish, take over the task of getting children dressed up for ski school and deliver/collect them? Are the pre-booking arrangements satisfactory? can you meet your nanny the day you arrive to discuss your child or children's individual needs?