Skiing for a morning while the children play in the snow, enjoying a full day on the pistes, treating yourselves to an evening out as a couple: a week’s family ski holiday also needs planning on the childcare side. Before you leave, three questions arise: which option suits your children’s ages, where to find it in the resort and when to book. Here is how to get organised and what our resorts offer.
How do you organise childcare during a ski holiday?
Childcare on a ski holiday is organised before you leave, at the same time as the stay itself. First choose the option that suits each child’s age and rhythm: a drop-in nursery or crèche for the youngest, a ski-school kindergarten or kids’ club for those discovering the snow, group lessons at a ski school for older children, babysitting for an evening or care at your accommodation. Then find the facilities close to your rental, and book as soon as your dates are fixed.
During the school holidays, resorts are full of families and places in childcare facilities are limited: it is better not to wait until you are on site to arrange it.
A childcare service with your rental?
Would you like your children looked after during your stay? Ask our booking centre in Bourg-Saint-Maurice when you book your apartment or chalet: our advisers will tell you whether a childcare option is available for your dates, your resort and your children’s ages.
To prepare for this conversation, have the following to hand:
- The age of each child and their routines (nap, meals, any allergies).
- The days and times when you will need childcare: ski mornings, a full day, an evening.
- The resort and village of your rental, so you can aim for an option close to your accommodation.
Other services make organising easier. For children who already ski, a discount on group ski lessons may be available, on presentation of a voucher issued at the agency: ask us whether it applies to your dates. For the whole family, we offer linen rental and optional cleaning, and a covered parking space can be reserved through our booking centre depending on the residence.
Which stays is it for?
Childcare mainly concerns families travelling during the winter school holidays: these are the dates when it is wisest to book early. It is also useful outside the holidays, for a toddler too young to ski, for parents who want to enjoy a whole day on the pistes, or simply for an evening at a restaurant. To plan the rest of your week (activities, pace, choice of accommodation), take inspiration from our ideas for a family holiday in the mountains.
Childcare options in our resorts
In Les Arcs
In Les Arcs, there are several childcare options: the Les Skimômes mini-club in Arc 1800, the Yéti Camp, a kids’ club and crèche, in Arc 1950, and the Halte-garderie 2000, a drop-in nursery run by an association, in Arc 2000. Nannies are also based in Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The ages accepted vary from one facility to another: check directly with each one.
In Peisey-Vallandry
On the Vallandry snow front, the “Tom Pouce” drop-in nursery welcomes children from 9 months to 6 years during the 2026–2027 winter season.
In Méribel
In Méribel, the “Les Saturnins” drop-in nursery, run by the École du Ski Français in the Parc Olympique, welcomes children from 18 months to 3 years. The ski schools offer kindergartens for 3- to 5-year-olds, and the tourist office posts a list of babysitters online during the winter season, which is particularly useful for babies under 18 months. Wherever you stay in the resort, including in our rentals in Méribel-Mottaret, check the distance between your chosen facility and your accommodation.
This information may change from one season to the next: confirm ages, opening days and availability with each facility before you leave.
Our tips for stress-free childcare
- Book early, especially during the school holidays, and keep written confirmation of your place.
- Pack snow-ready clothing (snowsuit, hat, gloves) and a change of clothes, labelled with your child’s name.
- Mention any allergies, treatments or habits of your child when you register: nap, comforter, meals.
- Ask which documents to provide at registration, so nothing gets forgotten in the luggage.
- For the youngest children, ask whether a first half-day to settle in is possible.
- Take the journey between your rental and the facility into account when organising your days.
Frequently asked questions
Can you book childcare with your rental?
Ask our booking centre in Bourg-Saint-Maurice when you book: our advisers will tell you whether a childcare option is available for your resort, your dates and your children’s ages.
From what age can a child be looked after in a resort?
It depends on the facility. For example, the Tom Pouce drop-in nursery in Vallandry accepts children from 9 months for the 2026–2027 winter season, and the Les Saturnins drop-in nursery in Méribel from 18 months. For a younger baby, ask about babysitting.
Do you need to book childcare before your stay?
Yes, it is advisable, particularly during the school holidays. Book as soon as your dates and accommodation are fixed.
Can you find a babysitter for an evening?
It depends on the resort: in Méribel, the tourist office posts a list of available babysitters online during the winter season. Elsewhere, ask the tourist office in your resort or our booking centre.