Childcare is one of the most consistently in-demand seasonal roles at premium Alpine resorts, and one of the most underrepresented on generic job boards. Large ski operators, chalet companies, and resort hotels all need qualified childcare workers — and the combination of demand, typically good wages, and often excellent accommodation packages makes it worth serious consideration for anyone with childcare experience or qualifications.
Types of childcare work in Alpine resorts
Kids' clubs at resort hotels and operators
Large resort hotels and package ski operators (Neilson, Mark Warner, Club Med, Inghams) run dedicated children's programmes — daily activities, games, snow sessions, arts and crafts, meals. These are structured positions with defined hours, typically employed directly by the operator.
Club Med in particular is one of the largest employers of childcare-focused seasonal staff in the Alps, operating across France and Switzerland.
Chalet company nannies
Chalet operators (Scott Dunn, Powder Byrne, Le Ski, Ski Total, Esprit Ski) provide private nannies as part of their premium chalet packages. Nannies work directly with individual families, managing childcare across the stay. Hours can be long; compensation and accommodation are typically good.
Private nannies for resort-staying families
High-net-worth families staying at private chalets or luxury hotels often hire nannies directly — either through nanny agencies or through personal networks. These are typically shorter-term positions (one to four weeks) but rates are higher than operator-employed roles.
Ski school assistants and snow garden staff
Ski schools across all four countries employ assistants to work with young beginners in the snow garden — helping children aged 3–6 with their first experiences on skis. Ski school assistant roles typically require childcare experience and ideally a first aid qualification; full ski instructor certification is not required for assistant roles.
Au pair
Au pair positions are a separate category — not seasonal work in the resort sense, but a structured exchange programme where you live with a local family, provide childcare, and receive accommodation, meals, and a weekly allowance. Au pair agreements exist in all four Alpine countries and are an established route for non-EU workers who cannot access working holiday visas.
Qualifications and requirements
Childcare roles have more formal requirements than most other seasonal positions:
DBS / criminal record check: required by essentially all employers, in all countries. Get this done before you apply — UK applicants can get a standard DBS check online; other nationalities need the equivalent from their home country.
First aid certification: paediatric first aid is strongly preferred, often required. A 1–2 day course from St John Ambulance, Red Cross, or equivalent is sufficient.
Childcare qualification: for kids' club and chalet nanny roles:
- UK: NVQ Level 2/3 in Childcare, CACHE diploma, NNEB, or equivalent
- Austria: state-recognised Kindergartenpädagogik or Kinderbetreuer qualification
- France: CAP Petite Enfance or equivalent
- International: CACHE, BTEC, or equivalent vocational childcare qualifications are generally accepted by UK chalet operators
Experience: most employers require a minimum of 6–12 months of childcare experience with under-5s or under-8s (depending on the age group you'll work with). Au pair positions are more flexible.
Language skills: English is the working language at most UK-operated chalet companies. French is an advantage (sometimes required) for French resort positions and Club Med roles.
Ski/snowboard ability: not required for indoor kids' club roles, but an advantage. Ski school assistant roles require at least intermediate skiing ability.
What you'll earn
| Role | Typical earnings | |---|---| | Kids' club (large operator, e.g. Club Med, Neilson) | €1,600–2,200/month gross, accommodation included | | Chalet nanny (mid-range operator) | £400–550/week, accommodation + meals included | | Chalet nanny (premium operator, e.g. Scott Dunn) | £550–750/week, accommodation + meals included | | Private resort nanny | £150–300+/day, accommodation varies | | Snow garden assistant | €1,500–2,000/month gross, accommodation often included | | Au pair allowance | €200–400/week (not a wage — pocket money structure) |
Tips are common in private nanny and premium chalet contexts, and can be substantial with families who have had a good experience.
Lifestyle and working conditions
Kids' club and chalet nanny roles typically involve working six days per week during peak season, with one day off. Hours can be split-shift (morning session, afternoon break, evening babysitting). Full days are common during school holidays.
The upside: you're in a ski resort, usually with an employer-provided ski pass, access to the mountain on your days off, and a team of similar-age seasonal workers around you.
The genuine challenge: working with children is emotionally and physically demanding. In a resort context, where families are on holiday and expectations are high, managing multiple children across a full day requires patience, energy, and genuine skill. This is not a role to take if childcare is just a means to get to the Alps.
How to find childcare positions
- UK chalet operators: Esprit Ski, Neilson, Mark Warner, Ski Total, Scott Dunn, Powder Byrne, Le Ski all recruit seasonally. Apply August–October for winter season.
- Club Med: recruits globally for its GO (Gentil Organisateur) childcare roles. Multilingual candidates preferred.
- Nanny agencies: Tinies, Eden Private Staff, and specialist ski nanny agencies recruit private nannies for resort families.
- Direct to ski schools: contact ski school directors directly in your target resort — snow garden and ski school assistant roles are often filled by direct approach rather than job boards.