When we booked our holiday to Greece with Mark Warner, at the Levante Beach Resort, we weren’t sure if we were going to utilise the childcare on offer. Mainly as we see a family trip being exactly that and because POD is always looked after by the same people.
We were however really keen to get back into tennis again, it had been ages since we’d played regularly. So before leaving the UK, we booked POD into Mini Club (suitable for 3 to 5 year olds) for a few hours each morning. There was no charge for this. We figured we could make an informed choice on what we wanted to do when we arrived on resort. Although we’ve holidayed with Mark Warner twice before as a couple, this was our first experience as a family.
On the day of arrival, we attended a meeting in the childcare centre. It caters for children from 4 months to 17 years and first impressions were great. The trained British nannies were knowledgable, caring and helpful. The childcare centre is spacious, clean and air conditioned with a fantastic selection of toys and games on offer. There’s also an outdoor playground and large paddling pool.
Mark Warner has an itinerary to suit every age group from Baby Club (4-11 months), Toddler Club (1-2 years) and Mini Club (3-5 years) through to Junior Club (6-9 years), Kidz Club (10-13 years) and Indy Club (14-17 years). There is an appropriate ratio of nannies and a great balance of indoor and outdoor activities too.
Having signed up for the classic tennis course (4x 1 hour lessons), we decided to give Mini Club a go the following morning. Although the surroundings were unfamiliar to POD, it didn’t take her long to settle into Sharks.
Within minutes she caught sight of an area that took her interest. We were slightly anxious about leaving her but it was an encouraging start. Lou, Laura, Sam and the rest of the Mark Warner team made us feel totally at ease as well.
We headed over to the courts later that morning to meet the tennis team safe in the knowledge she was being well looked after. On her first morning in Mini Club, POD made a superhero, spent some time in the pool and did some mega den building. She also learnt the Mini Club song.
She came over to the courts with her fellow Sharks for Mini Tennis after our group session had finished. This was great as it meant we got to see her pick up a racket for the first time and, rather amazingly, step into a volley and hit the ball! You can read about our tennis exploits here.
POD being in Mini Club for those few hours a day meant we could continue with the tennis course. This is itself was amazing as we used to play 3-4 times a week but hadn’t since I’d been pregnant with POD. While we sweated it out on court, POD got to do all sorts of fun things.
From finding superheroes, boat racing and sailing to blow fish racing, mega mask making and super stories. Most days the three of us would meet up again just before lunch to freshen up before going to eat. It was a routine that worked really well and suited us perfectly. Afternoons were spent enjoying ourselves as a family around the resort.
We didn’t anticipate making use of the Listening Service in the evenings as we ate dinner together. But a couple of days in, POD spotted a film she wanted to see at Mini Club. There’s a high tea for children served in the Almalthia Restaurant from 5.15pm to 6.15pm. After this it made sense to get her bathed and ready for bed before dropping her at the childcare centre for the film at 7.30pm. We headed back over to pick her up after our dinner only for POD to turn us away. Twice!
There were a few occasions we utilised the service after that, mainly as POD wanted to spend time with her new friends. It’s a great set up, there’s a soft area where children watch the DVD and also a quiet sleeping area with beds and comfy fleeces. Only once was POD asleep when we arrived although that’s more to do with her inability to close her eyes when she’s supposed to! She asked if she could sleep at the childcare centre on at least two occasions. This evening option was nice for us as a couple as we got to spare some time together.
It was because POD loved the environment so much we were able to get involved in Tipsy Tennis. A game which involves having a few drinks (naturally) and playing in the service boxes with children’s rackets. Daddy got to play while I spectated, it was a highly entertaining evening. It was the only night we collected POD on the cusp of the childcare centre closing (at 11pm).
I cannot recommend the childcare at Mark Warner enough. The staff at the Levante Beach resort were brilliant and POD was so well looked after both indoors and out. The mix of activities was excellent and she learnt things she wouldn’t get the opportunity to do so at home. It made what was an amazing holiday that little bit better.
The Levante Beach Resort is a custom-designed five star resort located on Afandou in Rhodes, Greece. If you’d like to know more, check out our What to Expect from a Mark Warner Holiday post.
Other posts about the Levante Beach Resort:
What to expect from a Mark Warner Holiday
I think I would have been nervous leaving my children while on holiday but I’m pleased to hear that she had fun. It’s a good idea as you were able to relax and do what you wanted to do too. These Mark Warner holidays do look very tempting.
It really sounds like Mark warner have everything thought out. Sounds like a fabulous time was had 🙂
My children love the kids clubs on holiday and it always amazes me how quickly they make friends x
Glad it went so well. We really struggle with kids clubs on holiday and H refuses to go in them. Difficult to even persuade him to go see.
Wow, I have never put the boys in to child care on holiday. Well once on a trip to France, but I sat and watched! Yes, I am that mum! I am glad that Pod enjoyed it. It gives me hope that I might leave the boys ones day!
This sounds so good – for parents and kids – and you really can’t get better than that, especially when they are small. You will always have a great time if they are happy!
They look such great resorts and I’m glad POD had such fun. I can see that you although unsure at first the quality of the childcare made you feel better about it and POD’s smile says it all.
Well it sounds as though lots of fun was had and that everyone enjoyed themselves x
I’ve never taken advantage of the childcare facilities on holiday but its handy knowing that you can rely on the Mark Warner team.
This sounds so great. Mine are older now, so they go off and do their own thing when on holiday. I remember leaving them once in childcare while we were away and they cried practically the whole time, so it put me off leaving them again. Sounds like your little one loved it x
We thought the childcare at Levante was phenomenal, too. Your gorgeous pictures bring it all back – like you we weren’t sure whether our two would enjoy it, but our oldest especially had an amazing time. Gwen was only 2 so wasn’t always keen on the listening service, but as soon as she became upset, they came to get us from the restarant. And we couldn’t drag Austin away from the films! Glad you had such a good time playing tennis. x
Wow just wow, this sounds like a proper holiday for everyone.
It’s great that she wanted to go and enjoyed it so much 🙂
what great facilities they have got !
What a great post, I’ve never been away that has a kids club but reading this is reassuring to know that if I did put them in while we were on holiday they would be well looked after. That pool also looks amazing.
Helen X
I would absolutely love to go somewhere with such fabulous childcare. No wonder Pod enjoyed it so much. Tipsy tennis sounds like great fun x
We are like you and rarely use childcare when we’re on our holidays but I have to say this looks fantastic and I can see my little ones really enjoying it.
The childcare is amazing isnt it – one of Sebby’s carers recognised him from Levante last year!
This sounds like such a good idea so parents can have some me time xx
We’ve never used any childcare on our holidays. But this does look really good. Glad you had such a lovely holiday x
It sounds like a great company and your photos look stunning. I would definitely consider booking with them in the future.
aww beautiful pics and it looks wonderful my friend has booked a holiday here will send her the review!
[…] experienced the excellent Mini Club childcare at Levante, I was expecting a similar level of engagement this time around. As with my previous encounter I […]
[…] Pingback: PODcast | Childcare at Mark Warner […]