childcare ?

[peterB]

Hi I do not know if this topic has been covered before (can't find it using the search function). In anycase can someone recommend a childsitter service in the Davenport/Kissemee area ? So that we can leave our kids (6&8) in qualified hands for the occasional night out. thanks, Peter

Hi Peter, I think this was covered once a long time ago but I have not found it either.

We have 5 children the little ones are 5 and 10 but it is not something we have ever considered doing, call me a paranoid mother but I could not leave them even with a qualified person[msnscared]

[mizzy]

[website link edited]

i would check and double check them out first but it may be a useful link

if you do use them or find an alternative will you report back for future ref to other forum users, it would be very helpfull[msnsmile]

[Cruella DeVilla]

I'm always available Marie it might cost you a Pina Colado or 6 mind you!

[blott]

I'd be very careful about this. One agency which advertised to be using only qualified and checked sitters was found not to be checking anything at all and some of their employees weren't even qualified.

Far better not to take the chance and take your children out with you. If you give them a nap period during the day, they should be fine and you'll see children out with parents almost everywhere in Florida at night.

[mizzy]

wow Blott that one was recommended to my bil and his wife, thanks for letting me know, like i posted you have to check and double check

i was also told you can sign your kids into a disney activity creche/club so maybe that would be an option for Peter to look into, i think you have to be staying in, or eating at one of the resorts though [?]

[mizzy]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
I'm always available Marie it might cost you a Pina Colado or 6 mind you!
[/quote]

aww thanks Jacqueline, and only the cost of 6 pina colada WOW that's great value, you won't be saying that when you meet them, it'll be pass me that bottle, crate, wagonload and quick[msnscared]

but if you're offering i'm sure both myself and mrs pegasus will take you up on that offer, thanks very much[msnsmile2][msnwink]

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by mizzy
wow Blott that one was recommended to my bil and his wife, thanks for letting me know, like i posted you have to check and double check

i was also told you can sign your kids into a disney activity creche/club so maybe that would be an option for Peter to look into, i think you have to be staying in, or eating at one of the resorts though [?][/quote]It wasn't that particular one Mizzy, unless the bad one has changed its name, which was something similar. It was deleted as it had links in it. [msnwink]

[mizzy]

ok thanks for letting me know Blott, my bil and his wife didn't used it but they had looked into it for the last visit in march/april

i was thinking that if Peter wanted to eat in one of the disney resort restaurants then perhaps they would let him check the children into the creche at the hotel for a few hours, i was told you could do this for under 12's but there's a niggle telling me it's too good to be true and it's prob is only available if you are staying as a hotel guest

[caroline]

We used the mouseketeers club at the Grand Floridian when we ate at Victoria & Alberts with friends - our kids were about 12, 11 & 9 (from memory) - it was quite expensive and I wasn't overly impressed - they provided them with a 'typical' kids dinner and there were computer games and toys - they also took them outside to watch the fireworks. You didn't have to be staying at the hotel although I don't think you're supposed to leave the grounds. They gave us pagers in case of an emergency and asked us where we were going to be dining.

[CarolAnn]

Have to admit, the reason we have been going to Florida for so long, is it is the type of destination where you can ALL find something to do and places to go that suit everyone of all ages:D Often used to shop in the evenings when a certain little one was asleep in their buggy(mind I had to wake him up when it was time to pay ...hee hee only joking!!):D

[CERICROWLEY]

Peter

The only real solution to this is to go either with friends or family, so that you can share the babysitting and be completely satisfied your kids are in safe hands.

[peterB]

Thanks for all the replies and advice

[nikkikk]

We use Le Petite Station at Gaylord Palms - its a 4,000 sq ft facility - not sure of the opening hours but think its until 10 pm at night which give you the chance to have an early meal. They will feed them too. We use this if we want to have a shopping blast and our 9 and 6 year olds wouldn't want to join us for sure! They have always had a good time and its not hugely expensive - $18 an hour for the two of them. At least we know they are in good hands.

[madmumof2]

Hi. In case it's helpful to anyone, certain hotels, like best western lakeside, have free daily kids clubs from 5pm till 9pm. It's a few hours to do what you like without kids.

Obviously it's not as good as staying in a villa, and a litle more expensive, but for some it's a deal breaker lol Unless you can find somewhere for the kids without having to stay on site.

[mfairhurst]

We had a management company who put a advertisement on our fridge to provide a babysitter and they were told as we would not like a stranger in the villa looking after the guests children as if something happens the owner was to blame ,They were making a profit out of the arangement .
As it happens we go so we could put a stop to it .Also we sack them .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[Solana]

I would not be happy recommending a babysitter. As you say there are so many places in Florida where children of all ages can go that if you can't take your children with you for the two weeks you are on holiday then it seems somewhat selfish.

[madmumof2]

I don't think that's fair Solana. I'm a single mum who will be the only adult going to Florida with two demanding, excited, boisterous, tired children for 5 whole weeks. I don't knohow anyone could do that for 2 weeks, let alone 5 without a lttle break from the kids.

I'm planning having an hour at least to myself every week, whether the children are with the hotel babysitting service or the kids club, nd I won't feel guilty about it either lol

I can't speak for anyone else, bt I know if I didn't get a little time on my own for 5 weeks, my children wouldn't enjoy the holiday half as much with a stressed mum.

Holidays aren't just for the children, as all you Florida lovers know lol. The kids will be happy in a kids club, and mum gets to chill by the pool for an hour and be able to hear herself think! [msnsmile2]

[CERICROWLEY]

Gemma

Jocelyn was not speaking for any clubs or baby sitting services that are in the hotels etc, and a large proportion of people will be families that have saved up for this holiday and are only going for two weeks, and possibly be the one and only time they visit, and want to experience everything together as a family.

Everyone that has kids have at one time or another did the european package holiday with a tour operator and had the usual kids club etc. But as this is a forum for villa vacations the majority of the questions will be for help with this.

this is why the majority of the time guests that come to our homes will normally be a couple of families and friends that holiday together, and that this is only the truly safe way of making sure your children are in safe hands while at our at our homes.

I actually take regular trips out to florida on my own with my own children whenever I can in the school breaks, and for over 6 weeks in the summer.

[TrishT]

I agree with everything Ceri and Jocelyn have said, if a hotel stay with hotel run kids club fair enough the odd night here and there, but in a villa babysitter no way, we have 8 kids and mostly I sort arrangements on my own and often have taken all or most away on my own and as family time, appreciate all the time I have with them as they grow up so quickly and before you know it they have their own lives and families, life goes on [msnwink]

[madmumof2]

Ahh, got ya! lol No, I agree, while I would welcome a break in a hotel, I could never trust someone I don't know to come and babysit. I dont know what firms do this, but I personally would try to bring an extra person along to share the childcare?