A working holiday in a sunny resort could be just the ticket for experienced childcarers, writes Mahrukh Choughtai
The cold, wet and windy winter is enough to dampen anyone's spirits, so why not set your sights on more exotic locations and apply for a job as a children's holiday representative?
Tour operators are now hiring for the summer season, from April to October. They're looking for people over the age of 19 who have bags of enthusiasm and who enjoy working with children.
An NNEB, NVQ in Early Years Care and Education or Playwork, or equivalent qualification is required, although some companies also hire those who are not qualified but have a year's working experience with groups of children, for example as a youthworker. The hours tend to be long and tiring, the heat intense, the children sometimes troublesome and the pay basic at around 500 a month. But the perks of the job are getting accommodation and bills paid for, a lasting tan, a great social life and the excitement of seeing a new country.
Busy life
'It's a good package which gives you a chance to see so many places and you get so much job satisfaction knowing that you have made someone's holiday,' says Cheryl, 28, who started out as a children's holiday rep for First Choice Holidays in 1995 and went on to become a supervisor in 1998. Based in the beautiful countryside of Costa del Sol in southern Spain, she was surrounded by lovely resorts, fabulous food and an abundance of culture. From there she has moved on to work in Lanzarote and Minorca.
But the job is not one long holiday. 'The work can be very hard, especially if it's your first job and the first time you are away from home,' says Cheryl.
Working six days a week, starting at 9am each day, the children's clubs are held in two-hour sessions with breaks in between. The minimum number of hours you do is six but the work does not stop when the children go home. Children's reps are also expected to take people to and from the airport, escort guests on excursions and generally look after them.
It's not all work and no play though. 'The social life is what you make it, and the hotels will often let you use their facilities,' says Cheryl. 'There are a lot of English-speaking people at the resorts, and with time you can get to know them very well. Sometimes your new friends get to know you better than your best friends at home; they become like family. The locals are also very welcoming, and although it is not essential to have a foreign language, it helps. But at the end of the day they want to learn English from you so it works both ways.'
Training and talents
First Choice Holidays recruitment officer Claire Warner says, 'Working in different circumstances to the UK can be hard, which is why a ten-day training programme is provided for the new recruits to prepare them as well as possible.' Training in health and safety, customer service, company policy and activity planning is given. But Cheryl adds, 'As long as you are not afraid to be buried in the sand or talk to the parents, the job will no doubt be a lot of fun.'
Claire says, 'Being outgoing and creative are two necessary qualities a children's rep should possess. However, it is also crucial for them to be flexible. The job can be quite demanding, so they need to be able to stand on their own two feet and have a certain level of maturity about them. Having the ability to work both in a team and on their own is also very important.'
Of course, being away from home for a few months can be quite daunting, but the experience is one that many returning reps wouldn't want to have missed. Cheryl says, 'The main priority is the children, and when you see the same faces year after year it gives you a very good feeling.'
Further information
- First Choice Holidays recruitment department can be contacted on 01293 588 528.
