Now as some of you already know I recently won a competition run by Mark Warner to which I won a family holiday to the Mark Warner’s San Lucianu Beach Resort and last week we were there and having the time of our lives. (you can read our review HERE)
During our stay we were given morning slots of childcare for Joshua aged 2 and pretty much all day for Bethany aged 12.
Ollie (hubby) and I had discussed Joshua’s childcare before we went and were feeling incredibly apprehensive since Joshua has only ever been cared for by ourselves or family members. Don’t get me wrong when Beth was Joshua’s age I worked full time as a single parent and had to use outside childcare which was never a problem. However never yet having done this with Joshua was really getting anxious.
The childcare complex in itself was amazing and really well appointed, but it was the staff and activities that we were so in awe of.
Joshua’s keyworker was Hatty who was such a lovely person, she is one of those people that instantly you can tell she is such fun and reliable but at the same time you know she has the ability to care, making you feel so relaxed about leaving your child with her which was amazing and really put me at ease.
Joshua loved Hatty and couldn’t wait to see her each morning! Charlotte the baby keyworker who worked in the same room as Hatty was also also just as amazing.
Joshua loved having Hatty and Charlotte at his beck and call!! … and we loved Hatty and Charlotte for just being them and the fantastic job that they did!
During the week Joshua went swimming, paddled in the sea, painted, stuck, created, made friends, went for walks, played, read books and had the time of his life! and we can’t thank Hatty for making this experience so magical for Joshua and us!
At the end of the week Joshua was presented with an award … the ‘Prince Charming’ award and also some work he had done through the week he had been there which we thought was such a lovely thought and we will treasure it.
Beth also had such an amazing time with wall to wall activities with her Keyworker Charlie, who in all fairness must have the patience of saint as lets face it pre-teens are pretty gruesome creatures at time!
There was also a lovely dance and presentation for Beth’s age group too which was fantastic.
Childcare staff (and I am including the water sports team in this since they spent time with Beth too) I can’t thank you enough for making our time on holiday the most relaxed we have ever had.
Now I am off to find a nursery for a few hours a week for Joshua …. well we all need a little time don’t we?!
That sounds fantastic, what a great experience for them (and all of you!).
thanks Sarah it was so so lovely x
sounds wonderful – and how fab that you could relax knowing the children were in good hands.
it was so amazing to have that peace of mind x
That’s so brilliant about the childcare. Most places start it about 3 at hotels and resorts from the ones we’ve been to. J looks like he took to them really well and it’s always so nice when you instantly have faith in the person that’s going to care for your child.
it really was amazing honey i wanted to take them all home so they could help through the summer!! xx Joshua is already asking for Hatty and asking to go to nursery x
its always nervous sending little one off when they have only had the pleasure of mummy and daddies company but its also a brilliant feeling when you see that they had had a ball and are ok im so glad they had fun it looks like a ball
aww thanks Helen, we really were so nervous but we really needn’t of worried they were amazing and it really made our holiday x
ours loved the kids clubs when we were away in ibiza too. which is always a bonus for some more ‘us time’!
we have never left Joshua before as we didnt feel we wanted to anywhere else x
Wow that’s great that you got some time to yourselves too, sounds like the childcare was great and looks like they had fun!
it was fantastic Tami, just amazing! x
I always felt a little guilty putting the kids in something like this on holiday but clearly yours were having a blast doing activities tailored to them. I’m glad you all had a great time 🙂
i wa so the same! they really did love it x
That does sound brilliant – how great to get time to yourselves whilst knowing that your children are having a great time too! x
it was by far the most amazing thing to feel that level of confidence! x
Sounds wonderful – so lovely to get some adult time, knowing that the kids are having a great time x
it was one of the best bits of the holiday, we never get time to do nothing and relax just the 2 of us that often so to be able to do it by the beach everyday was immense x
Oh yes we all do need some time out 😉 Seems like you had an amazing time!!! x
it really was amazing x
Thankyou for a wonderful story about Hatty ( My daughter ). This is her first time away from home and was feeling a little homesick. I’m sure your kind words and photos will go a long way to settle her in even more. Thankyou. Ian ( Dad !!!)
Hi Ian! so lovely to hear from you! Hatty is a very special person and we were so sad to leave her behind when we came home.
Joshua has been calling her on his phone all morning asking if he can come and play!
Take it from me she is certainly making magic memories for all those that she touches and we cant thank her enough.
Big hugs to you all as i am sure your all missing each other like crazy
Jaime 🙂
How wonderful to come across caring people who love working with children. Sounds like a win-win situation for all involved
it really was so special to feel that way about the staff they really were immense x
Aww it’s great that you could have some time to relax and know your children where in good hands. xx
it really was priceless honey x
Congratulations on winning a holiday! Sounds fantastic and how lovely that the children were both so well taken care of.
thanks honey, it still all seems very surreal to be honest. it was a great holiday abroad x
It looks like you had the most amazing time – I was reading your Mark Warner post last night. The childcare seems fantastic, great for you and Ollie as well as Joshua and Beth :))
it really was fantastic and when you said we would love a mark warner holiday you werent wrong! x
Aw so glad you had a wonderful time, sounds amazing!! Thank you for hosting lovely xx
thanks honey xx
It sounds like a fantastic experience. It is great that he had a wonderful time on holiday and for his first time out of your care. And it’s wonderful that you got some alone time on your holiday!
Sounds absolutely marvellous 🙂 xx
awww thanks honey your so right it was fantastic xx
That sounds great. Ours are too young for any kids club at the mo, bu I know through work how good thy can be. (I work for a travel company).
we thought Joshua would be with being only 2 but Mark Warner accept babies too! xx
Ah, that sounds absolutely blissful. It’s such a great feeling to know that your little one is super happy and looking forward to their day’s activities – so you can enjoy some guilt-free couple time! Xxx
it was fantastic so pleased you had such a lovely holiday too x
It must’ve given you such peace of mind to know that they were being so well looked after. I’m so pleased you had such a relaxing trip. Great post xx
thanks honey, it really made it all the better for us to have that peace of mind for total relaxation x
sounds like my idea of heaven 🙂
it was very very close! x
How great that you had such wonderful childcare abroad on holiday of all places! I would have been very anxious about leaving my kids with unknown people in a foreign country. Bet that made for a very relaxng time for you and hubby. 🙂 x
it certainly was amazing to have that it really added to the experience x
Sounds fantastic 😀 x
It truly was honey x
It must have been amazing to have had some you time. Mum keeps wanting us to go on a cruise saying they take the kids off of you :0) but we have just discovered they can’t accommodate Ethan and his needs. I have found specialised places but didn’t think I would want that option, you have just changed my mind ;0)