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The ethos of Toddler Holiday is to offer an alternative self-catering holiday experience for young families – accommodation that not only welcomes but celebrates babies and toddlers and that is a relaxing and restful retreat for parents. Whilst older siblings are more than welcome our focus is very much on meeting the needs of families during those challenging first years – when just the thought of packing can be enough to put you off ever leaving the house.
But Toddler Holiday isn’t just about providing a longer than average list of equipment. From the positioning of the car park to the fixtures and fittings our decision-making is based first and foremost on the needs of young families. We don’t provide general holiday accommodation with a few ‘child-friendly’ add-ons but exist to service the very particular needs of families with children under 5.
How do we operate?
From the first specialist gite opened in May 2003 at La Cour aux Bourgeois, Toddler Holiday has grown steadily in response to strong demand and customer feedback and now offers nine gîtes for hire in four different locations.
Whilst the number of properties to rent has grown this has been in a deliberately slow and considered way. We have not become an advertising portal listing unknown properties over which we have no control or input. Neither are we a chain where every gite is a soulless replica containing identical décor and furniture. Drawing on six years of hands-on experience Sarah Caille, owner of La Cour aux Bourgeois and Director of Toddler Holiday, has established a set of core criteria that all Toddler Holiday properties meet. She works closely with other owners to ensure that these criteria are met whilst at the same time embracing the individual style and strengths of a place and its owners to create a unique holiday experience.
Property Owners:
Each property is individually run and owned but all of the owners share the common goal of making your stay as easy and enjoyable as possible. We are all available to offer help and advice from booking restaurants and taxis, to regular weather updates, top tourist tips and translation. Your holiday time is precious and we are totally committed to helping you make the most of it.
Laurent and Sarah Caille – owners of Toddler Holiday and La Cour aux Bourgeois
The Anglo-French Caille family moved to Normandy from London in August 2002, Laurent continuing as an osteopath in the local town whilst Sarah swapped her management career for all that running your own business and managing a young family entails. They have a son and daughter now aged 6 and 7 whose antics inspired and informed the whole Toddler Holiday concept. Whilst they no longer live on site, they are regularly on hand to offer help and advice to guests.
Deidre Maclean and Pete Harris – owners of 4 rue de la Dive
After meeting on the set of TFI Friday Deirdre and hubby Pete found the house of their dreams in 4 rue de la Dive in 2003. They upped sticks from London, Pete swapping his sound-recording kit for a plethora of DIY tools and set to the (never-ending) renovation of the huge property. Following her previous incarnation as a set designer Deirdre turned her skills to interior design and she has revelled in bringing the stunning but neglected manoir back to its former glory. Living next door they are on hand to offer help and advice and can often be seen tending to their menagerie of 2 cats, 2 dogs, Nana the Donkey and several sheep.
Mark and Noëlle Hofman – owners of Domaine de la Tour
The Franco-Dutch Hofman family fell in love with the tranquil setting and former farm buildings of Domaine de la Tour in 2004 and following extensive renovations opened their doors to the public on 1st of April, 2005. A former entrepreneur in the Netherlands Mark now works full time at Domaine de la Tour whilst Noëlle divides her time between Domaine de la Tour and her work as a communications trainer. They have a four-year old son who takes his job as chief tester and advisor for all play equipment very seriously and who is more than happy to share his experience and advice with new playmates.
Jacques and Nelly Letellier – La Ferme de Longues
Keeping it in the family, Laurent’s sister Nelly and her husband Jacques are joining Toddler Holiday in 2009. As an architect and project manager Jacques is bringing 30 years of experience to the complete renovation of La Ferme de Longues incorporating the specific needs of young families into the early planning stage. As the owner of a successful travel agency in Caen Nelly brings 30 years experience of both local and international tourism to the project and in combination with Jacques is aiming to create the ideal holiday destination. Passionate about travel they have voyaged extensively over many years with their two daughters, who although now grown up still recall with clarity their early holiday horrors.
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