The photographs say it all: compare the glamorous resorts, constant sunshine and clear blue skies with a typical gloomy winter in the UK and it's not difficult to understand the appeal of escaping overseas. And as most travel operators and childcarers who have worked abroad will agree, a season overseas can be one of the best periods of your life. Opportunities are available all around the world; you could work as a nanny in a European ski resort or venture somewhere as far afield and exotic as Sri Lanka or Jamaica.
But how do you know if it's for you? Nursery World asked a number of representatives from travel operators to shed some light on what you need to succeed in the demanding world of overseas childcare.
Samantha Spinks, site operations co-ordinator for Canvas Holidays, thinks energy is key. 'You need to be constantly hyper for the kids! Also it helps if you are patient and friendly,' she says. 'Decide whether you are the sort of person who can be away from home for six to seven months and live, work and socialise with the same people. You need to be able to get on with anyone.'
Emma Keene, childcare recruitment manager for Mark Warner, says, 'You need to be mature, with a good sense of independence. It's like a university experience in a lot of ways - being away from home, perhaps for the first time, and living and sharing with other people. You need to be able build relationships with parents, be confident providing feedback on the children, and be responsible, with excellent key working skills.'
Charlotte Kinnish, childcare manager for Scott Dunn, adds, 'Quite a few of our applicants are currently working in a nursery or school, have worked there for several years and are looking for something different. This is a fantastic opportunity to travel and meet new people, but with the security of a holiday company too.'
We spoke to a number of veteran childcare practitioners who were eager to share their thoughts on what they had gained from working abroad.
A great social life, lasting friendships, beautiful scenery and opening up a whole new range of career opportunities were among the main highlights.
Rachel Elford, childcare manager for Esprit, says, 'In the UK, life is more predictable; all of a sudden you've got a mortgage and responsibilities.
But there are so many different experiences out there - living in a different country, learning a language or new hobbies such as climbing and skiing. Plus the scenery is beautiful and you're surrounded by energetic, enthusiastic teams and people who know how you're feeling.'
Tina Rhodes started working overseas aged 18 when she found a job as a ski nanny through Esprit. She says, 'You experience a different side to childcare - the fun side! After all, the children are on holiday, so you don't have to think about things like curriculum guidelines.'
Lucy Shakespeare, area manager for Sunsail, adds, 'You're working in the sun doing something you love. It's completely different to the UK; it's lots of fun and you make lifelong friends.'
There's no need to worry that taking time out of the UK will hinder your career progress. In fact, completing a season for a travel operator can open the door to a whole range of career possibilities you may not otherwise have thought of, and at the very least you can expect to gain some useful skills.
Many of our travel operator contacts started out working a season abroad as a nanny and have progressed over time to more senior positions.
Lucy Shakespeare started working overseas as a nanny in 1996 and has been an area manager for Sunsail for the last two years. She says, 'We have two appraisals per season, so if someone wants to take up a higher position they could let the manager know and then we would offer training.
'We are very keen to hang on to our staff, so someone would typically work two seasons as a nanny before becoming nursery supervisor. There are also opportunities to move within departments, say for instance if someone has been working with under-fives and wants to work with older children.'
Rachel Elford has been working winter and summer seasons continuously for the past five years and has moved up from nanny to childcare manager, a position she has now held for two years. She says, 'I finished my course at college and then found out about Esprit at the Nursery World exhibition.
I've gained so much - managerial skills and adaptability, plus the confidence to deal with parents and to work well within a team.'
Charlotte Kinnish spent her first season overseas as a nanny in 1997, was promoted to head nanny after three seasons and has been in her current position of childcare manager at Scott Dunn for three years. 'There are definitely lots of opportunities for career progression within travel operators, but a season abroad is also beneficial when applying for a job back home,' she says. 'It shows that you're adaptable and it tends to give people confidence.'
It can't all be highs though, surely. So what are the downsides of childcare work overseas? Mild homesickness, long hours, and saying goodbye to the children were revealed to be the main drawbacks.
Sarah Beecham, 25, nanny manager at Scott Dunn, says, 'It can be tiring working six days a week, and sometimes you get some difficult guests. But the highs cancel out the lows.'
Rachel Elford says, 'Lots of people worry about being away over Christmas but everyone's in the same boat. Plus in a ski resort you are guaranteed snow, someone will dress up as Father Christmas and there's always a big New Year's Eve party! Also you tend to have to share rooms with team-mates, which some people see as a downside, but I really liked it, as you tend to bond really well. After all, you're going through the same thing and you're both away from home. It's hard work and a busy life, but you thrive on everything that's going on.
Samantha Spinks adds, 'You do get homesick, but the people you meet out there help you to get over this quite quickly. After all, everyone is in the same boat.'
Nursery World spoke to a number of travel operators about what they look for when recruiting staff to work overseas. All of them said that having either a childcare qualification or relevant experience is essential. Most employers ask for a minimum of one year's experience, although this does vary from employer to employer.
At Esprit, relevant qualifications and personality make all the difference.
Tina Rhodes says, 'We ask for a minimum NVQ3 (NNEB) qualification to work as a nanny or NVQ2 for a nursery assistant. We don't specify experience - it's more about character and personality.'
Lucy Shakespeare says, 'We look for fun-loving people who are passionate about childcare, energetic, willing to work long hours and show commitment.'
Emma Keene of Mark Warner adds, 'An applicant's technical knowledge of childcare must be very good. Understanding health and safety and hygiene is as important in a resort as back at home in the UK. We also look for full-time experience or a level 2 or 3 childcare qualification.'
Make sure that you are feeling alert and refreshed on the day of your interview, as our contacts say energy and a sense of fun are considered essential qualities in potential candidates.
Dave Harper of Canvas Holidays says it's enthusiasm and energy that are most important. 'We look for people who are excited about working with children, are patient, show some initiative and are capable of planning and delivering activities.'
Charlotte Kinnish of Scott Dunn says, 'We are looking for people with the right qualifications, but also those who have a mature approach. Looking after other people's children is a huge responsibility and we need candidates who are mature and fun at the same time, and those who have a natural knack with children. We also ask for a level 3 qualification and solid experience.'
So if you have the right skills, energy and enthusiasm, then the opportunity to escape the dark days at home while saving money and gaining confidence, new skills and a whole new social life may seem like an easy choice to make. But if you're still not convinced, read our next feature to get a feel for what life's like on the job.
CASE STUDY
Name: Lyn Ward
Age: 25
Locations visited: Oman, North Africa, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, France
Company: Powder Byrne International
Season: Winter and summer
Job title: Creche Manager
Typical day: 10.00am - start; greet parents; take children down to beach; practical activities (arts and crafts); 12pm - lunch; afternoon activities (video time, jigsaws or more arts and crafts); 3.30pm - swimming in outdoor pool; 6pm - supervised supper
Qualifications: NNEB diploma
Best experience and skills gained: I'm much more confident and have gained good people skills. I'm not intimidated by the parents and can get on with them easily now. I've experienced different cultures and have been to places where I wouldn't necessarily have gone on holiday.
Glad you took: DVD player, iPod, things to help you relax when you've got some time to yourself
Wish you had taken: I've worked so many seasons that I never forget things now!
Pluses: The opportunity to experience something new but still be able to work. Having the support of a company so if anything does go wrong, you're not on your own.
Minuses: Missing home, especially the little things you miss when you're not there, like home cooking and shopping!
Advice: Don't go thinking it's an easy life - it is hard work, but lots of fun. Overall it's really enjoyable.
Would you do it again? I've been doing it for six years!
BEFORE YOU GO - ESSENTIALS!
RESEARCH Ask people who have worked abroad before about the company they went with. Visit internet chatrooms, speak to anyone you know in the industry, and check websites of travel operators so you are well informed about the company you may be travelling with.
CONTRACT Make sure you know the terms of your employment, and what will be provided by your employer
PASSPORT Make sure it hasn't expired!
INSURANCE Many employers provide insurance. Make sure you know what you are covered for.
HEALTH Make sure you take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), available from your local Post Office, which entitles you to free or reduced- cost healthcare while travelling in Europe.
FINANCES Find out how you will be paid, and consider taking a few hundred pounds out to tide you over.
MOBILE PHONE Take a mobile phone and buy a foreign SIM to keep the cost of calls down, or buy an international calling card to use from public payphones.
PHONE BOOK Don't forget to take the phone numbers of friends and family with you.
FAVOURITE Take photos, CDs, DVDs, iPODs, tea bags - all the THINGS little things that can make you feel at home and help you relax during your time off.