Seasons in the sun

SUNDAY.

After a relaxing day spent sunbathing, my week starts over again. Today begins with a welcome meeting for newly arrived guests. I watch and give feedback on the presentation by one of my two teams of children's reps.

They explain the creches, clubs and outings we offer for children aged from 15 months to 15 years old. We've introduced a song to make our presentation fun and the reps get a round of applause, despite none of them singing in tune.

I spend the afternoon checking that my other team is happy and the club is running smoothly. Living abroad can be strange, so I check no one is homesick -the trick is to remember that everyone is in the same position and understands when you're missing family, or 'EastEnders'.

Back to the office to complete paperwork before heading home. Despite it being evening, it's still warm enough to sit outside and read.

MONDAY.

There's a club trip to Rancho Grande near the north of the island today and I decide to go along. It's always popular as the children get to ride horses. The boys find it funny to make me ride one, too. I'm wearing heels but give it a go, quite badly.

I return for a weekly team meeting. We go over last week's parents' questionnaires on what they thought of the children's reps. Thankfully today's responses are good, with smiles all around. I call it a day at 10pm.

TUESDAY

Today is taken up with the monthly children's club health and safety checks. I discuss my findings with the managers before attending the supervisors' weekly meeting.

After catching up with company news I call into a club to spend time with the reps and children. They're sitting quietly watching a video.

WEDNESDAY

It's liquidation day when all the accounts paperwork is updated - never a good day to be in the office.

I start at 10am by assessing the other team's welcome meeting. At noon I go into the office to sort out my paperwork and catch up on computer work.

The evening creche has four children booked in so I offer to help. I love this time and would spend all day working in the creche if the reps would let me. It's great to interact with children rather than shuffle paper. The creche finishes at 7.30pm and I meet my flatmate for a drink in a quiet bar.

THURSDAY

A well deserved lie-in this morning, then up for a walk around the marina and to the internet cafe to make contact with my family and friends back in England.

After my morning off I get on a coach bound for the airport. I'm supporting one of the new children's reps on her first transfer.

Along with caring for holidaying children we all have to be prepared to take on board some of the other reps' duties.

We meet the Gatwick flight and then it's back on to the coach and up to the resort. There's a slight hitch, as the rep has mislaid her arrival speech.

Fortunately I have a spare.

It's 11pm before I get home.

FRIDAY

Even after a late night, it's easy getting up when the sun is shining brightly.

I'm helping in the clubs again this morning. Each session lasts two hours and today we're going to the beach. Unlike childcarers back home, we don't have to follow a curriculum, just ensure the children are safe and stimulated. We organise a sand sculpture competition and relay races.

After lunch I prepare my timetable for next week and my manager calls into the resort to ensure things are running smoothly.

This evening the children's reps have an early finish so we can prepare for our night out. FURTHER INFORMATION:

Children's reps should have a recognised childcare qualification or demonstrate practical experience of working with children.

For recruitment call:

* First Choice: 01293 588528

* Mark Warner: 020 7761 7300

* Nannies Abroad: 01962 882299

* Sunsail: 023 9233 4600

* Esprit: 01252 618318

* Thomas Cook and JMC Holidays: 0870 607 0309