As part of the Snow Angel Nannies team I worked as a private nanny with families on holiday in Les Deux Alpes. Snow Angel Nannies also has positions in Meribel, Courchevel, Alpe d’Huez, Tignes and Serre Chevalier.
My challenge as a Snow Angel Nanny was to ensure the children had more fun with me than the parents did on the slopes! So my job was to have fun basically!
Other important aspects of the role were of course health and safety and communication with the parents.
The Morning
Our start times varied but mainly this would be 9am so we would all be up and about by 8 to allow time to shower and get ourselves ready, pick out today’s toys from our stash, and get to the family. Generally the children were up and waiting for my arrival, although it has been known for a few sleepy heads to be still in PJs or sleepily having some milk (especially with some earlier starts)!
At this point I would gently take over from the parents allowing them to get ready for ski school or the slopes! I would also share today’s plans with them and double check that today’s lunch plans were as discussed, meeting at the Cote Brun restaurant having picked up the older ones from ski school. At this point I would always pop my head in the door and say hi to the chalet hosts letting them know what our plans were and if the kids weren’t ready for me I’d give them a hand where I could! “This is a great tip - help the chalet host where you can and they will help you!”
It isn’t unknown at this stage to be running out of the door after the parents and older kids with bibs, snacks etc. and if possible it is a great idea to get out and about and go with them to ski school! Nice to start the day outside!
Activities
The Activities I chose always had to be age relevant but where possible if the weather was good I would favour being outside. We would build snowmen and dress or paint them, go sledging, build igloos or snow castles and generally enjoy this new found toy!!! For the younger babies it was a case of wrapping them up warmly and going for a walk around town with the pram.
On our travels I would always try to sneak a peak at the ski school and see how the older children were getting on! It is incredible how quickly they learn with the right instructor!
Lunch Time
Having been out playing all morning we would pop home to change into some dry clothes and leave the extra equipment we have with us before picking up the siblings from ski school. I would alway make sure we were 10 mins early for ski school, allowing plenty of time to get there!
Having chatted to the instructor and checked the meeting place and time for tomorrow we are off to lunch. The Cote brun is just oposite the ski school and has a lovely terrace with a sledging slope just next to it.....perfect for the parents to relax over a nice lunch and the children to continue having fun! I normally join the family for lunch but always await an invitation!
Lunch is over and it is back over to me whilst the parents hit the slopes again!
The Afternoon
We have to accommodate some sleeps this afternoon so its off back to the chalet now to put the little ones down.
Whilst the younger ones sleep the older children tell me all about their morning at ski school and we draw their instructor to put in their scrap books.
As the little ones wake we aim to go to the children’s playground for an hour this afternoon as the sun is shinning so it is on with the warm clothes again. Pack up some snacks and drinks for the children and off we go! We look fab as we go because we are all in Snow Angel Nannies bibs making life easy for me, keeping the children safe and ensuring everyone knows who we are! Perhaps a song for the way?
after a great time at the park everyone is tired so it is back to the chalet for some quiet time before the parents get back. My favorite is story time but just occasionally a DVD is a great quiet time activity!
The End of the working day
Here come the parents, tired but contented! At this point we continue what we are doing, reading, singing, painting or just watching that DVD to give the parents some time to change and sort themselves out.
I chat to them about their day, our day and tomorrow’s plans before saying my good nights!
The Evening
Unless I am babysitting which I do normally one evening per week, this time is mine!
There is always someone ready to go out with me for a glass of wine (although not too many on a school night!). There are ice bumper cars on the ice rink 2 evenings a week, a cinema and loads of other activities to do should i be inclined. Or there is a good DVD or book back at my homely apartment!
Doing a ski season is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I have learnt to ski (having some lessons are the start and now practicing every week on my day off). I have met so many great people and am already planning next winter with Snow Angel Nannies!
