Nursery/Child Care in Caribbean
 

Hi All

I wanted to see if anyone could throw out some locations that have nursery/child care options for under 1 year old in the Caribbean.

Have been to MANY islands in the region, however this will be the first with a little one in tow. I have been to Aruba many times over and would like to go somewhere else.

I am considering (but not limited to):
Turks
Martinique
Bonaire
St Barths
DR

Any suggestions OR help is much appreciated.
Thank you all in advance!

While most hotels/resorts will gladly arrange occasional babbysitting services for you I know of no resort/hotel that offers an organized nursery/day care program for children as young as yours. If you think about it a bit you'll most likely agree that caring for a child that young is probably a responsibilty most hotels do not want to undertake.

Even if you did find a place willing to arrange for day care are you sure you'd want to have someone you have not properly vetted to be caring for your child? I know I wouldn't. I don't want to sound like I'm preaching but if you want nursery care for your child you'd might have more "peace of mind" if you had a trusted relative or friend travel with you to watch your child. This could be a "mature" neice or nephew, the child's grandmother or perhaps aunt or a family friend.

Leaving a one year old in the care of strangers is simply not a good idea.

Contrary to the previous post, there ARE resorts in the Carribean that will care for a 1 year old. There are two FDR Family Resorts in Jamaica that assign each family a personal nanny; FDR Pebbles apparently has a much nicer beach. Sandals in Turks and Caicos may have infant child care.

The Fodor's Dom Rep book says these resorts have infant care: Club Med Punta Cana, Melia Caribe Tropical in Punta Cana, and Holiday Village Golden Beach in Playa Dorado.

I've also heard mention that St. Lucia's Jalousie Plantation and Grand Palladium Jamaica are baby-friendly, whatever that means.

I think you are smart to be asking this question and as you get answers, can make up your own mind about whether the child care meets your needs and desires. I'm currently searching for similar info., but am lucky that we might take the trip when my youngest is 3, which gives us more child care options.

we stayed at Carlisle Bay in Antigua and they had an excellent nursery and fantastic babysitting. We had a 6 month old and during the 10 days we spent there all three of our children were very happy and well cared for. It a smaller resort and the rooms open right onto the beach. We have fabulous memories, and the childcare was fabulous. We also recently stayed at the Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya and that had wonderful childcare as well. If you had asked me prior to our trips if I thought I could leave our 6 month old in the care of a stranger I would have said no, but once we arrived my opinions changed. Good luck!