Programming for pre-schoolers

[Lisa Barnoff]

The first cruise was absolute magic, and somehow the second was even better! Can't wait to see what Gregg and Kelli have in store for us all in July 2006! We know it's going to exceed our wildest expectations...

A few suggestions though re: programming for those of us with pre-schoolers who don't use the Kid's Crew Program (and who don't tend to take lots of excursions - we just never want to leave the beauty of the environment on the ship!). In 04 and 05 we spent most of our time in the T-Rex Pools - but this time maybe it won't be warm enough for that. And so...

How about more activities for the kids during the daytime? Last year we loved the addition of the "toddler play area" sponsored by E Learning Toys (thanks Anne!). How about adding another similar area but for pre-schoolers (maybe a bigger room, maybe more climbing/jumping space, maybe more pre-school age toys)? We also loved the "family karioke", but it was late for our daughter. How about an afternoon time for this too? How about more "matinees" of the some of the shows for kids? How about more kids performances (like Denise Doucette, or Sesame Street in 04 and 05) in the afternoon time?

Just some thoughts from a mom of a 3 1/2 year old... Can't wait for July!

[bluej]

i concur about the preschool programming. My daughter is 2 1/2 and didn't fit in with the nannies or the kids crew. Preschool programs, especially during the day would be wonderful.

[Hollymom]

Our twins will be 26 months for the Alaska cruise. We, too, have kinda been wondering how it will work since they will be too old for the nannies and too young to go to the kids' program.

We also loved the playroom and made good use of it! It's always one of the things we talk about when people ask us why we loved the cruise so much - RFamily does such a good job of making it kid friendly!

[EsMoms&Dads]

I am concerned about what excursions we can take with a 2 year old. What is everyone else doing with a child that age?

I also think Laurie Berkener would be great for a show!!

[nycdannyboy]

Our son will be 27 months in July, so I was glad to see this post! I was wondering about the programming for this age as well. Would be nice if my partner and I could balance some alone time with time with our toddler. I was under the impression the kid programs DID start at 2? We're hoping to book some excursions - dog sledding? kayaking? for us and then some for him - the white pass train? Though 3 hours on a train with a toddler might be more dangerous than the original gold rush :) Right now I'm thinking of taking him off the boat to see the towns, then have a sitter from the program watch him while we do an active excursion. I'm also worried about the time dfference as we're from New York - who knows what the sleep schedule will be like!

[moms2threegirls]

<< I was under the impression the kid programs DID start at 2? >>

Yes, the kids program does start at 2. I think what most people are referring to is that it didn't work for their kid. There is the varied ability to actually drop a 2 year old off with strangers, and have them stay and enjoy the activities. As you know with 2 years olds...they are certainly not predictable!! Also, the youngest kids group (I think it was 2-4) was horribly crowded on the last cruise. They had only one small room, which was always packed to an uncomfortable degree, and only 3 staffers in charge of maybe 40+ pre-schoolers. I know that our 2 y.o. would stay, but did not enjoy it. After only one experience there, she asked to just stick with us for the remainder of the cruise. It was still, BTW, the best vacation ever!!

[nycdannyboy]

Hmm... good points. Our son, I'm pretty sure, would be fine with being dropped off, but I'm not that comfortable with the child to staff ratio! Makes it hard to book excursions then if you may have to not go due to childcare on board (not that we're just going for the excursions, but it would be nice to walk on a glacier!). Is the preschool program open all day or just certain hours? Do you have to sign up in advance? I also read something somewhere on some NCL site that they childcare staff does not change diapers and that you get "beeped" to do so - is that true :confused:

[moms2threegirls]

We didn't leave our kids during excursions, but I heard that it was much less crowded...however there is the diaper problem. You heard right - they do not change diapers, and give you a pager when you drop off your child so they can contact you if a change is necessary. Therefore, I doubt that you can leave the boat. The general hours for the kids program was 9am-12pm, 2-5pm and 7-10pm. This was during
"sea" days, and you didn't have to sign up in advance (although you did have to register your child(ren) on the first day). They also have child care while in port, but I can't remember if there was a charge. I do remember that they charged $5 per child per hour for late night sitting (10pm-1am).

Many parents discussed this issue of overcrowding the the kids center with the R Family staff, so things may be different this year. After all, these ships are not set up to handle such a large amount of children (on last year's cruise about 1/3 of the passengers - 600+ were children). To make it work, they really need to set aside additional space for the kids, and supplement the NCL kids staff.

[nycdannyboy]

<< You heard right - they do not change diapers, and give you a pager when you drop off your child so they can contact you if a change is necessary. Therefore, I doubt that you can't leave the boat. >>

Did you mean that you doubt if one CAN leave the boat without their child if they're in a diaper? This will totally change the planning of our excursions - maybe one daddy will go out at a time! Are there any opportunities to pay for a private sitter for a couple hours?

[avibear]

Hi. This information is all very interesting and helpful. Our one son will be 2-1/2 by the time of the cruise and the other son will be 9 months. We are planning on a couple of the shorter day excursions (3-1/2 to 4 hours max) and planning to take both kids with us, but still we were hoping for a little alone time one or two evenings on the ship. Are there pay for hire sitters, or is the nanny thing a group childcare experience?
If the latter is the case, we would be interested in getting to know dads or moms with kinds of similar ages who might be interested in swapping babysitting one or two evenings to allow for a bit of quality, unworried, alone time. I think two adults managing 3-4 kids for a few hours might be a more comfortable and less worrisome arrangement. Anyone have similar thoughts?

[ColoradoDad]

Hey Avi ! We'll be in the same boat, literally and figuratively :cool: Our son will be about 2 1/2 at that time as well. I'm glad there's a lot of info in here - helps to be prepared, especially with a little one running around.
I guess if we wind up missing a few excursions, that'll be ok. Just getting out of this area will be amazing for us!

[FPCMom]

We too were having concerns about childcare. We will have a 16 month old, and 5 year old. We know the 5 year old will be fine, but it is our younger one we worried about. Please see Greg's answer to my post under Alaska Cruise updates. Infants/Toddlers on Cruise. RFamily has nannies on board, they will watch the younger children at a low child/caretaker ratio. Best part at their expense. (I am sorry I can't get a quote to another thread!). Jan

[bluej]

FYI:
The nanny program is specifically designed for children under 2 and has absolutely nothing to do with the "kids crew" program. The nannies are hired by the r family staff. They have their own room and staff. During the first cruise, my daughter had just turned 1 and we dropped her off with the nannies a lot. We were extremely pleased with the environment, especially the nannies.

Last year, my daughter had just turned 2 so she was too old for the nanny service. We brought her to the kids crew. She is extremely easy going and people friendly, but she was scared beyond belief when we tried to drop her off (because there were soooo many children) and, frankly, so were we. We tried to drop her off one other time, but had the same results.

We ended up bringing her to the nannies, telling them she had just turned 2, and they let her stay. She was so happy and had so much fun!! We were very relieved too. The ratio of nanny to children is different from kids crew. I can't rememeber what it is, but it is great. My wife and I were very pleased with the service and felt very secure about it. Our daughter was delighted too and looked forward to golng back.

[nycdannyboy]

Good discussion! I don't want it to seem like we are only interested in time alone from our son on the cruise, but it would be nice to be able to kayak WITH my partner for a few hours rather than do separate excursions! I'm SO excited to see my son's face when we see a glacier:)

I sent an email to the R Family office re: this issue and I'll let you all know what they say. I would be interested, if it's helpful, to meet parents in the same situation and trade off time. Maybe we could all meet early on and hang out with our kids so they get to know each other? I THINK that the evening sitting is separate from the daytime Kids Program, but that is something I need to clarify as well.

Take care - Danny

[kmoar]

This has been some great information. We too have been curious about the childcare situation. Our son will be almost 4 on the trip and he is a very outgoing kid and I think will do well in the kids camp but it might be nice to meet some other couples we could swap kid sitting with. I wish we had friends who were going on the trip with us although I am sure we will meet lots of new ones!!! btw, we are 2 moms from Portland OR and can't wait til July!!

[hollyinpa]

I am interested in learning more about what training and support the children's programming staff are offered as a part of their job.

Preschoolers are full of life and energy and need to be actively engaged, offered lots of choices, and provided with gentle supervision and encouragement as they enjoy the cruise.

I've recruited child care workers and volunteers in order to provide childcare for several statewide Family Connections Conferences. It is no small task and parent input is CRITICAL in developing a program that is safe and effective for everyone involved.

Aside from the space being too crowded and the staff:child ratio too large, how was the programming? What did the kids do? I can imagine it is no small feat to keep those little minds engaged and bodies moving and learning safely.

It sounds like Kelli and her crew are working hard to "tweak" programs to meet the needs of the cruise goers. Keep up the good work.

Contact me anytime with questions about training early childhood staff.

www.learning4lifetime.com

I am eager to take my first cruise in the next year or two!