Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

The transition from baby to toddler is a very exciting time, however it can be a very daunting time for parents also. Here are some tips on how to toddler proof your Nevis Home ready for when your little one begins exploring.

1. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes is a great method for parents to become more aware of the potential danger points when making their house safe. A good tip is to get down onto your hands and knees to be at your childs level and look out for sharp corners, electrical sockets, trip hazards, falling objects and anything that may be opened easily - for example drawers and cabinets. You’ll notice lots of things that you would not notice when standing.

2. Your kitchen is one of the the most hazardous rooms in your home, small children are at risk from burns and scalds, potential poisoning accidents and it is also the place where sharp objects lurk. Prevent burnt fingers by using the back rings on your hob instead of the front ones. Store cleaning items in wall cabinets so that little ones cannot get to them, make sure the caps are in the ‘off’ position and where possible buy items that have child safety lids. Try to limit the amount of utensils you use in the kitchen so that you do not lose track of them or accidentally knock one on the floor.

3. Sharp corners, fire places, cables, wires and electrical sockets - the risks soon accumulate in the lounge. Always use a fireguard, even if you have an electric fire, because the warmth from the glass can still cause serious burns to children. Take away temptation from your child by moving ornaments and picture frames from their reach and keep wires away from little hands to stop your explorer tugging at them.

4. Now your little adventurer is mobile, the steps will seem like a fun place to play for them but falling down them is one of the most common accidents for toddlers. Purchase a wall-mounted safety gate at the top of the stairs ^ ensure it is screwed directly into the wall and doesn’t have a bar across the bottom as this can also be a trip hazard. A pressure fit or wall mounted safety gate may also be used at the bottom of the stairs.

5. When your child moves from a cot to a bed they will then have the freedom of the whole bedroom - even if you are not there! Move all creams and lotions from lower drawers or use a lock and ensure nappy bags are also stored securely. When your child is in bed sleeping a soft sided bed rail will prevent them falling from the new bed.

6. As your child becomes more independent and curious, the toilet frequently turns into a new toy and the bathroom a preferred playground. Use a toilet lid lock to avoid belongings being lost down the toilet; it’s very important that you ensure certain bottles and medications are put away in a locked cabinet. Radiators and towel rails are also something to be aware of as they can burn children when they are switched on. If your child is having a bath it is critical that they are supervised at all times.

With these tips your toddler will be safe and you can have the piece of mind that they are safe in every room of your home.

Saylors Dry Dock was built in 1996. It is a two bedroom, one shower room which is located between the two bedrooms. The main bedroom has four (4) poster bed and the second bedroom has two (2) single beds.

Price:$290,000

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A local Calypsonian will serenade the visiting Earl and Countess of Wessex on Saturday March 3rd, with his original commemorative tune “Elizabeth Regina.”
The calypsonian, whose real name is Tyrone O’Flaherty, said he was looking forward to performing the song, which he wrote for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Her Majesty .
That performance will take place at the renaming of the St. Kitts National Capitol Park to the Royal Basseterre Valley National Park which is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:00 am.
The 3 times Calypso King of Nevis explained that the lyrics of the song are “very respectful” of the 60 year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the service she has rendered to charities within the Commonwealth.
“For instance the chorus says ‘Let’s all celebrate, a reign that has been great ^ Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee,’” Mr. O’Flaherty commented. “Then it goes on, and ends with the refrain ‘Elizabeth Regina, Elizabeth Regina, long may she reign. We may never see someone like she again.’”
An auspicious ceremony has been planned which will culminate in a plaque unveiling ceremony for the 550 acre preserve which stretches along the Kim Collins Highway.
The calypsonian also encouraged nationals of the twin-island Federation, to go out and witness the public events that will feature the Royals. This includes a welcoming ceremony
at Port Zante at 9.40 am.

Source:sknvibes.com

Are you hoping to get your Nevis Home organized this year? This can sometimes feel like a difficult task, however these tips will help you not only organize your home but also save you money too.

1: See what you have. It is always said that visibility is the aim of any organizing project, and getting that visibility to your stuff enables you to make wiser purchases. For instance knowing that you already have three black shirts means you will not need another one.

2: Use what you have. Together with making wiser purchases, the visibility you will get from organizing your home enables you to avoid waste. Planning meals or being able to find and use what you have already purchased will mean less food being thrown away. You will also be more likely to make good use of coupons and gift cards if you have a system for finding them, an easy way to do this is have one specific place for them that you can get to easily.

3: Stop late fees and other unnecessary charges. If you implement a system for paying bills you will avoid costly late fees which could even damage your credit rating. Keeping a watchful eye over your bills and bank account, by doing this you may even notice those charges which occur each month for things like a gym membership you no longer use or even fraudulent charges. You may also learn that you do not have the correct tariff for your cable or cell phone which can lead to substantial savings.

4: Find actual money! When you are organizing your home, be vigilant for those checks you never deposited, gift cards and actual cash which you may have put in a safe place and forgotten about. Don’t forget that rebate opportunities and warranty information can sometimes equal extra money too.

5: Get back some of your time. Your time is worth more than money, as you can never get your wasted time back. When you organize your home you will save the time you used to spend looking for your keys, your bills or missing shoes and instead spend that time doing something else that you enjoy more.

Once you have organized your home, always try to maintain the systems you have put in place and keep it clutter free, this will give you more time to relax and enjoy your home.

A great time was had by all, as the Bronte Welsh Primary School held the school’s inaugural Sir Probyn Innis Inter-House Spelling Bee. In all, sixteen students, eight each from the red and blue sports houses, competed to determine the best speller in four categories. One week prior to the competition students were given a list of words to learn to be used during the ’seen words’ round of the contest.
In the Under-9 group, which included students from grades one through three, the boys were eventually knocked out, leaving two girls to battle for the win. In the end seven-year-old Lisa Woolard of Grade One was victorious with 75points.
In the end Blue house was victorious scoring 310points against Red House’s 225points in all three of the judged segments.
The school’s principal Anthony Wiltshire expressed his tremendous appreciation to all who attended the event. He also conveyed his satisfaction with the efforts and dedication the students displayed.
Each of the 16 students were awarded a trophy of participation, and the winners of each category received their prize trophies, all donated to the school by Sir Probyn and Lady Innis.

Source:thestkittsnevisobserver.com

The building is approximately 1,400 sq. ft. on each of the three floors, giving a total of approximately 4,000 sq. ft. of floor space. The basement is in use and has a 4? concrete floor. All of the stonewalls were re-pointed in 1998.

Price:$650,000

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An absolute gem; this villa is perched above the waves and combines sparkling views of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean with the distant romance and allure of the neighbouring islands St. Eustatius and Saba.

Price:$515,000

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As the visit of Their Royal Highness’s, The Earl and Countess of Wessex on March 3rd approaches, anticipation is also high for other activities being planned in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr. Randolph Hamilton, Manager of Special Projects said the re-enactments will be highly dramatic, intense and realistic, and will undoubtedly capture the attention of patrons who will be taken on a roller coaster of emotions laced with historical pride.
He added that some aspects of the re-enactment would require the participation of locals in the actual staging of the event. Members of the St.Kitts^Nevis Defense Force are being trained to participate. One particular re-enactment will feature the role and triumph of slaves at that time, in skirmishes, as they sought to maintain some level of identity.
“The re-enactment of the Battle of St. Kitts between the British and French in 1782 is the most rewarding experience available for eight dollars.” He emphasized that his committee is targeting schools and the general public for attendance at these events. Along with the twice-daily performances on March 29-30th, there will also be additional activities related to that period.
Other planned re-enactments are the marriage of Lord Nelson and Fannie Nisbett in Nevis as well as another, soon to be announced re-enactment at Government House in St. Kitts.

Source:sknvibes.com

When you are planning a move to a new Nevis Home you will understand that this is one of the most stressful events any adult will experience in their lifetime, but what about your kids? A lot of kids don’t even like changing their socks , so imagine how difficult it is for them to change homes, schools and friends. Because a home is a unique place of security and comfort for kids, many families can experience concerns about leaving their their familiar surroundings. Although parents understand the reasons a move is necessary, the reason is probably not obvious your kids.

Discuss the impending move in a family meeting

Call a family meeting to get everyone together to break the news about the move, focus on the “when,” “where,” “how” and “why” of the moving process. Ensure your kids understand that the move is a positive event for the whole family.

Make new buddies but keep your old

Prior to the move, give your kids a chance to spend some time with their friends to say goodbye. A good tip is to prepare a moving kit for the kids including fun cards that they can use to exchange contact details with their friends.

Involve the children in the moving process

Ask for your kids help in planning the route the family will take to reach your new home. When the van operator arrives, introduce her or him to the children. For safety reasons, ensure your kids understand the significance of keeping out of the driver’s path when they’re moving boxes and furniture into the van. A good idea is to make it fun for the kids by allowing them to decorate and label their own boxes and allowing them to pack their “special possessions.”

Alleviate fears

If you can arrange it, take your children to see their new home and neighborhood before moving day. This will keep them involved and take the mystery out of the move, while you are there introduce them to their new neighbors to reassure them that they will make new friends once the move is completed. If it is not possible to get to the new neighborhood before your move, give the kids as much information on their new home and surroundings as you can, the internet can be very helpful for this ^ show them pictures of the house and surrounding area.

Pursue new activities

You can help your children make new friends by involving them in after school activities in the new neighborhood like sports, kids clubs, and any other class your child would be interested in. This will keep them busy and help them integrate themselves into their new surroundings with ease.

Celebrate!

After you have arrived at your new home and the move is complete, allow your kids to pick their favorite restaurant or type of food to celebrate their help in making the move successful, and the beginning of a new adventure.

Have your kids flown the nest? Do you feel like you are rattling around your Nevis Home? Do you want to reduce your utility bills? Although moving from a home that you have lived in for many years and possible brought up your family in can be difficult emotionally, there are ways to create a more suitable affordable living space within smaller homes, here are 5 tips to help you choose the perfect home when you are downsizing.

Think about which rooms you can do without

Before you begin searching for a your smaller home, sit with the family and make a list of what you like and dislike about your current home. Which rooms do you use a lot? Which spaces and pieces of furniture just collect dust? A good rule to use is the 6 times a year rule. Think about each room in your home and if you use them less than 6 times a year it is probable that you can do without them.

While you are thinking about your living space, choose which rooms you could use for more than one purpose. If you work at home and require a home office, a good idea is to put a small sofa sleeper or small bed in your office in your new home for when you have guests visiting. If you enjoy hosting dinner parties, you do not need to have a formal dining room in your new home, why not put a table in the kitchen and create a casual dining space.

Consider Purchasing Multi-use Furniture

When you have decided which rooms you can shed without affecting your way of life, consider the furniture you may need. Multi-use pieces like sofa sleepers, bunkbeds, nests of tables and coffee tables with drawers are saving graces when living in smaller spaces

If you have large pieces of furniture which are impractical - donate or sell them. If you are moving to a smaller home because your kids have left home, it will not be necessary to have so much furniture. Before you move, tell the kids to take what they want from their old rooms and also offer them any furniture which you will no longer be using in your new home.

Once you have decided on the furniture you want to keep, measure all larger pieces and when you are viewing homes take a measure with you so you can be sure it will all fit in rooms and through the doorways etc..

Good Design is Essential

In a small living space, design is especially important. Look closely at the storage space in any potential new home you look at. There are many older houses that do not have bedroom closets so you will need to bring space saving wardrobes or an extra dresser.

Don’t rule out homes which have little closet space, think about the possibility of building shelves and getting under bed storage boxes for seasonal clothes. If you are looking to move into an apartment, ask if there is storage space available to use within the building. It is important to explore all the options and to keep an open mind before you rule a place out.

Look at how much light comes into any property you view as light will make any small space look bigger. If there is outdoor living space this adds to a property and gives the feeling of a bigger home.

Choose a Place You Have Always Wanted to Live

The money you will save when moving from a bigger home, may mean that you are able to move to the place you have always wanted to live in. Look at all locations to see what is available to you within your price range.

Personal Space

Regardless of how small you decide to go, don’t forget that you will still need personal space, one of the main complaints from those who have already made the move is that they feel like they are constantly in someones way. Everyone has their own ideas of what personal space is to them and it is difficult to adjust to a smaller home at first. Be patient and you will all get used to it.

Regardless of how small, ensure that you have a place of your own in your new home, it doesn’t need to be a whole room ^ even just an armchair tucked away where you can read and have some quiet time will be perfect.

Downsizing is always a daunting process when you are used to having a large family home filled with people, however there are many positives to downsizing and it will not take long to adjust once you have found the perfect home for you.