Shoestring
Barbados
Travel with Children
- Travel to Barbados with your family!...
Take the kids to Barbados and stay in child
friendly accommodation, visit places that are suitable for
even young children, find child friendly restaurants and babysitters
so that you can go out and enjoy yourselves- without the children!
We hope the Shoestring Barbados site will help famlies traveling
to the Caribbean...
General
Advice and Information - please email
us if you have additional comments to add!
Also
click here to see Debbie's
Caribbean Resort Reviews - including tips for those travelling
to the Caribbean with Children!
Bajans
(the local term for Barbadians) love children so this is
the ideal island to spend your vacation as a family.
The
West Coast is an especially great place for families as
the water is calmer, it's generally much quieter than the
South Coast (but still plenty to do!) and you have more
chance of pool access, if staying in self-catering accommodation.
We would especially recommend the Sunset Crest area of the
West Coast (Holetown) as everything is within easy walking
distance - post office, shops, beach, pools, supermarket,
taxi ranks, evening entertainment, doctors, pharmacies etc.
There are many places to visit and things to do with children,
whatever their ages and we especially recommend that families
visit Oistins on a Friday evening from around 5pm where
you can enjoy a 'Fish Fry' with the locals, and enjoy a
truly authentic Bajan experience. This is very much a family
affair with great food, live music and a relaxed atmosphere.
Dancing can go on until 5am! Or why not try the Barbados
Wildlife Reserve (see photos on this page)
If
your kids are at least three feet tall they can visit the
Atlantis Submarine which is a great educational experience
as well as lots of fun. The Malibu Splash water slide on
the MV Harbour Master is 70 foot slide that may be enjoyed
when moored in the calm waters of the West Coast. Enjoy
this during their lunch cruise. The Sheraton Centre has
an air-conditioned movie theatre, or take in an children's
movie at the Globe, Barbados' popular drive-in. At the Barbados
Golf Academy and Public driving range there is an 18 hole
miniature golf course, or enjoy the playground of the Chefette
Restaurants.
Also
see the Barbados Sightseeing Page
for more options!
Please do write to us and share your experiences in
order to help future travellers with children.
Email info@ShoestringBarbados.com
Use
Shoestring Barbados to plan your family vacation in Barbados
before you leave home!
Advertisers
Notes:
Advertise your accommodation or services that would be useful
to those travelling with children!
Email us
today and start making use of the thousands of visitors we
receive each week. info@ShoestringBarbados.com
Taking
the Kids to Barbados - Shoestring Barbados listings
Child
Friendly Accommodation
Sorry!
Still compiling lists - please come back soon!
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Child
Friendly Bars and Restaurants
Coming
Soon
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Childcare
Services for travellers and those living in Barbados
P.
Even as a tourist if you are staying on the island for more
than a month you may be able to enrol your pre-school child
in a day nursery. Average rates for a day nursery (7.30 -
5.30pm Monday to Friday) are Bds$50 -
100 (US$25-50) Childcare in Barbados is surprisingly
inexpensive. Please check that the establishment is registered
and how many staff are employed and are qualified.
Please
tell anyone you contact that you saw the ad on the Shoestring
Barbados site!
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Babysitter
recommendation by Emma Hartnell-Baker 2002
One
of my personal and favourite babysitter is Michelle (surname
withheld for security purposes) a local Bajan lady who has
two children of her own. She is warm, friendly, reliable
and has a natural way with children. She is calm, sensible
and able to keep control and deal with any situation that
arises. Call her when you arrive and she will meet with
you - and then you can see for yourself how she relates
to your children. I especially recommend Michelle with your
babies, toddlers and young children. Michelle has been looking
after Elliott for me between the ages of 13 months and 3
years and I trust her implicitly. Having recruited and trained
nursery staff in Nottingham, UK, for eight years, I believe
I am fairly well qualified to give advice. Call her when
you get there on 232 3662 and please give her your number
and she'll call you back. She pays for incoming calls. Rates
are negotiable but approximately Bds$10-12
per hour. If babysitting after midnight you will need to
let her stay overnight of pay for a ride home.
Parent
quote "Emma recommended Michelle to me and
she has been looking after my 15 month old daughter Talia
for several hours during our Barbados vacation this year
(2002) I'd recommend her to anyone with young kids - and
I too work within the childcare industry in the UK!"
Samantha
I would recommend Paula who also works for the Sandy
Lane Hotel as a part-time babysitter. Her telephone number
is (246) 429 4294 Her sister Tasha is also available. They
are ideal if you are staying on the South Coast. Emma
Young @ Art
This
great group is currently twice a week but due to its success
they intend to increase sessions and move from Sara's house,
where the group currently meets. The current location is Sunset
Crest, St James and you can contact either Sara Gill richardgill@sunbeach.net
tel (246) 432 5546 or Monica Trayner monpaul@sunbeach.net
tel (246) 422 4201 for more details. Please book in advance
- and sessions cost Bds$25 per
child. Great art and craft activities for children ages 2
- 7. Parents may stay or leave the children - sessions last
90 minutes, Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Snacks
provided.
Friday
morning Mothers and Toddlers Group
- St James
This
friendly group is a great place for your young children to
interact and for parents to meet and chat over coffee and
biscuits. The sessions take place at a different house each
week (they rotate) For more details contact Sara Gill Tel
(246) 432 5546 or email richardgill@sunbeach.net
Sessions are free and intended to relieve the isolation often
experienced by new Moms.
Babysitting Circle - St James
More
details to follow……..
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Children's Health - Pharmacies,
Doctors, Dentists
Please
tell anyone you contact that you saw the ad on the Shoestring
Barbados site!
West
Coast Doctors
Dr
Persaud - Trents Medical Centre Holetown St James Barbados
Tel (246) 432 0830
South
Coast Doctors
Dr
Lousie Berry (London) Family
Care Clinic Maxwell Coast Road Barbados Tel (246) 428 9234/
420 7976 Fax (246) 420 7940
Pharmacies
Worrels
Pharmacy Inc. Wildey Shopping Plaza St Michael Barbados
Tel (246) 427 5468 Fax (246) 228 3268 Email pharmacist@worphar.com
Web site
Jems
Pharmacy Jamestown Clinic, Holetown St James Barbados
Delivery service and 24 Emergency Service Tel (246) 423 4721
Regular hours (246) 432 6697
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Sites
relating to Travelling with Children in Barbados
BabyGoes2
www.babygoes2.com/g_carib_barbados.asp
Site written for parents / carers travelling with children
around the world.
See
the link shown above for Barbados related topics and tips.
Anti-Natal
Care in Barbados
This
section has been requested by several visitors who are either
moving to Barbados and are pregnant, or who are visiting the
island and are expecting.
If
you have any concerns please email Lindsay, a nurse who has
also experienced pregnancy and giving birth in Barbados (thank
you Lindsay!)
Email
Lindsay
When
on the island keep this number handy - although most of the
doctors on the island will see you, and give advice
Dr Lousie
Berry (London)
Family Care Clinic Maxwell Coast Road Barbados
Tel (246) 428 9234/ 420 7976 Fax (246) 420 7940
Barbados with children- free help and advice for Barbados
visitors travelling with their family.
We have hundreds of useful
pages relating to Barbados. View the Shoestring Barbados site
map and find exactly what you are looking for quickly and
easily. Please click below to visit.
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