| Important Points for parents of young children |
3, SWIMMING POOL
Our swimming pool is fully enclosed with an access gate which is self closing and has a child proof latch and is
alarmed. This conforms to the current french regulations for preventing a child younger than 5 yrs old from
accessing the pool area alone. You must make older children who are able to open the gate by themselves fully
aware of the dangers of a swimming pool and express upon them never open the gate for a younger child and
never enter the pool area without an adult. Children are NOT allowed to be in the pool area without adult
supervison, even if they can swim.
4, POOL and GARDEN ACCESS
Two cottages face the garden and two face the pool. Parking is provided to one side off the lane. In order for
families staying on the pool side to access the garden and visa versa, you have to exit the gate and walk past the
parked cars and next to the lane. This is obviously not recommended for young children alone, they will need to
be escorted by a responsible person. For this reason we recommend families with young children to let the
garden side cottages and families with sensible older children to let the pool side cottages.
5, TILED and WOODEN FLOORS
Cygne has a tiled floor, the other cottages have wooden floors (Cassiopee has a tiled entrance area) These are
obviously hard, if you drop something it will break, if you fall, it will hurt. They become very slippy when wet,
so don't allow children to run in from the pool and mop up spills immediately. Do not use external plastic garden
chairs inside as they will slip. All the second floors are wooden floorboards, these are not insulated and can be
noisier than your floors at home.
6, WINDOWS and Walls
Due to the old nature of the property and its previous use as farm buildings some windows are very low which
we were not allowed to change under the planning regulations. All our low windows have been fitted with
window locks or chains to prevent them from being opened fully. All other windows are at the regulation height
and do not have locks. The internal walls between rooms are simply plasterboard, so there is little sound
insulation between rooms. Walls between the properties are either 50cm of stone (very good insulation side to
side) or 20cm concrete block with insulated plasterboard (limited sound insulation back to back )
7, CHILD SAFETY
We have done what we can to eliminate most obvious hazards however children cannot be left to their own
devices; the garden has a bramble hedge, a sloping garden, areas of gravel, stone walls, the gates to the lane are
not locked, the cottages have steps (cassiopee) that cannot be closed off, low windows and steep staircases any
of which could be a potential accident if young children are left unsupervised. If you have issues with any of
these or concerns about anything else, please voice them before you book, we will be honest. We have been
letting cottages to families with young children for many years, have children of our own and have many families
who book with us again and again but our property still may not be right for you.
Our swimming pool is fully enclosed with an access gate which is self closing and has a child proof latch and is
alarmed. This conforms to the current french regulations for preventing a child younger than 5 yrs old from
accessing the pool area alone. You must make older children who are able to open the gate by themselves fully
aware of the dangers of a swimming pool and express upon them never open the gate for a younger child and
never enter the pool area without an adult. Children are NOT allowed to be in the pool area without adult
supervison, even if they can swim.
4, POOL and GARDEN ACCESS
Two cottages face the garden and two face the pool. Parking is provided to one side off the lane. In order for
families staying on the pool side to access the garden and visa versa, you have to exit the gate and walk past the
parked cars and next to the lane. This is obviously not recommended for young children alone, they will need to
be escorted by a responsible person. For this reason we recommend families with young children to let the
garden side cottages and families with sensible older children to let the pool side cottages.
5, TILED and WOODEN FLOORS
Cygne has a tiled floor, the other cottages have wooden floors (Cassiopee has a tiled entrance area) These are
obviously hard, if you drop something it will break, if you fall, it will hurt. They become very slippy when wet,
so don't allow children to run in from the pool and mop up spills immediately. Do not use external plastic garden
chairs inside as they will slip. All the second floors are wooden floorboards, these are not insulated and can be
noisier than your floors at home.
6, WINDOWS and Walls
Due to the old nature of the property and its previous use as farm buildings some windows are very low which
we were not allowed to change under the planning regulations. All our low windows have been fitted with
window locks or chains to prevent them from being opened fully. All other windows are at the regulation height
and do not have locks. The internal walls between rooms are simply plasterboard, so there is little sound
insulation between rooms. Walls between the properties are either 50cm of stone (very good insulation side to
side) or 20cm concrete block with insulated plasterboard (limited sound insulation back to back )
7, CHILD SAFETY
We have done what we can to eliminate most obvious hazards however children cannot be left to their own
devices; the garden has a bramble hedge, a sloping garden, areas of gravel, stone walls, the gates to the lane are
not locked, the cottages have steps (cassiopee) that cannot be closed off, low windows and steep staircases any
of which could be a potential accident if young children are left unsupervised. If you have issues with any of
these or concerns about anything else, please voice them before you book, we will be honest. We have been
letting cottages to families with young children for many years, have children of our own and have many families
who book with us again and again but our property still may not be right for you.
Here at Les Vallaies, we have striven to provide a family friendly environment and you have
no doubt read already about everything we offer to provide a fun and relaxing place to stay
for all the family. However, we do not profess to have properties specifically designed to
accomodate young children, the property was originally a stone barn and has to conform
to the planning regulation demands. We have done what we are able to avoid obvious
hazards but also we have to accommodate the needs of all our guests, those without
children as well. No property could be completely free of hazard but you should be aware
of them prior to booking.
no doubt read already about everything we offer to provide a fun and relaxing place to stay
for all the family. However, we do not profess to have properties specifically designed to
accomodate young children, the property was originally a stone barn and has to conform
to the planning regulation demands. We have done what we are able to avoid obvious
hazards but also we have to accommodate the needs of all our guests, those without
children as well. No property could be completely free of hazard but you should be aware
of them prior to booking.
1, STAIRCASES - The staircases at Les Vallaies are made of wood. In Baleine and Vierge
these are closed tread and of European standard steepness. In Cassiopee and Cygne the
staircases were handmade to fit and are open tread and steeper than you may be used to.
This may not suit a family with younger children or perhaps with a grandparent with
limited mobility. Stairgates or barriers are provided as standard for all of our staircases, top
and bottom. In Cassiopee the bottom barrier will only fit after the first few steps..
these are closed tread and of European standard steepness. In Cassiopee and Cygne the
staircases were handmade to fit and are open tread and steeper than you may be used to.
This may not suit a family with younger children or perhaps with a grandparent with
limited mobility. Stairgates or barriers are provided as standard for all of our staircases, top
and bottom. In Cassiopee the bottom barrier will only fit after the first few steps..
| Contact Chris and Wendy Blakeman on oo 33 546330902 or email us at wendyblakeman@googlemail.com |
2, GARDEN - The communal garden is 'screened' from the lane by a wall, gates and trees,
bushes and brambles and a fence on two sides - the lane is quiet by uk standards but is used
as a through route and cars can travel at some speed. Your toddler is prevented from
running directly into the road to chase a ball but it is your responsibility as their guardian to
ensure they are suitably supervised at all times and are not given time to wander off. The
villas private garden is NOT enclosed.
bushes and brambles and a fence on two sides - the lane is quiet by uk standards but is used
as a through route and cars can travel at some speed. Your toddler is prevented from
running directly into the road to chase a ball but it is your responsibility as their guardian to
ensure they are suitably supervised at all times and are not given time to wander off. The
villas private garden is NOT enclosed.
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