Fancy a job in snow business? Barbara Millar finds out what many qualified childcarers are getting up to when they head for the hills When Helen McGlashon took a two-week job in Zermatt, Switzerland, as a ski nanny she became hooked. Within two years with ski specialist company Powder Byrne, Helen has progressed from assistant nanny to creche supervisor. And her job doesn't end when the snow melts.
'Powder Byrne also runs summer holidays in places such as Cyprus, Crete, France and Portugal,' says Helen. So when she puts away her ski equipment, she unpacks her bikini and becomes a sun nanny until the winter season starts again.
Helen has a City and Guilds qualification in home economics and family/ community care. She was a boarding school matron for three years and a nanny in Canada for 11 years. She sees the ski nanny post as 'almost like a family nanny, except that you get to be with a lot of different children over the season'. You can build up good relationships with the families who are on holiday, she stresses, an aspect of the job that she particularly enjoys. 'And you are also working in gorgeous locations,' she adds.
Powder Byrne runs a creche in each resort for no more than nine children at any one time. Their ages range from six months up to four years and the ratio is one nanny to three children. Older children, between four and nine years old, join a junior ski club. 'We often take the three-year-olds out on plastic skis to let them get the feel of things,' says Helen. 'In Zermatt, for instance, there is a flat park area where we take them.'
Within one season Helen was promoted from assistant to creche manager. 'The company recognised that I had the capabilities to do the job. Now I have been promoted again. Next season I will be creche supervisor with responsibility for areas such as equipment purchasing and staff training.'
The ski nanny's day is usually from 8.45am until 5.15pm, with two days off a week. Nannies can also be called on to provide a babysitting service in the evenings, for which they are able to charge #5 an hour. 'It is optional but a lot of us do it,' says Helen.
Powder Byrne, like other ski companies, provides free ski passes and equipment hire. 'I could ski a little when I started the job (this is not essential) but now my skiing has improved amazingly,' says Helen.
Free accommodation and food are also provided. 'My apartment is not five-star, but it's very nice,' says Helen. 'I usually take my meals with the children - pasta and pizza and so on - but we get the hotel waiter service.'
However, the company's clients are demanding, Helen admits. 'They expect a lot from us. But they are also very appreciative. We offer a very high standard of service and, if the children are happy, the parents can relax and enjoy their holiday, which is what we want.'
Helen gets 130 a week - 170 a week as creche supervisor - and, with accommodation, food, flights, uniform and transportation to the creche included, it is all spending money. 'I absolutely love the work. Every day is such great fun,' she says.
Mike Aubrey, Powder Byrne's recruitment training manager, says that, although the company recruits creche managers with NNEB, or equivalent qualifications, those yet to qualify can get positions as creche assistants, on 120 a week, provided they can demonstrate experience with the under-fours. Who to call Holiday companies and agencies recruit from now until mid-October. These include:
- Esprit 01252 618318
- Family Match 01962 855 799
- Mark Warner 020 7761 7300
- Meri Ski 01451 843125
- Powder Byrne www.powderbyrne.com
- Ski Cuisine 01702 589543
- Scott Dunn 020 8767 0202
- Specialist Holiday Group: Crystal Holidays 020 8832 7612 Simply Travel 020 8832 7622 Thomson 020 8832 7633
- www.findaskijob.com 01707 396511
