How to Travel with your Nanny

How to Travel with your Nanny

Have you thought about inviting your nanny on a family vacation? With careful planning, you will experience smooth travels and extra quality time. Read on for some practical tips and insight from a professional travel nanny! 

This is a Work Trip

Some nannies travel as part of their professional lives. Just as when they are working in your home, time and energy are focused on helping your family manage daily responsibilities. This includes remaining proactive and professional.

Nanny’s Perspective: Traveling is one of my favorite parts of being a nanny. My advice is to say yes to new opportunities, but establish professional guidelines and stick to the plan. In no way do I consider travel a personal vacation. My mindset is to support my employers so they can create lifelong family memories.

Be Travel Ready

If traveling internationally, make sure your nanny’s passport and vaccinations are arranged in advance.

Provide the Agenda

Your nanny needs to be informed of the destination and schedule each day. This will help your nanny plan rest/meal periods, prep daily supplies, and meet expectations in a timely manner.

Communicate Often

It’s essential that you keep each other in the loop about changes in well-being. Check in early and often to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy!

Tools for Success

As in the home, your nanny needs proper tools and supplies to be successful. Make sure they have the items necessary to make the best of each day. Always make sure they have been provided with the children’s medications, snacks, toys, diaper bag, etc.

Nanny’s Perspective: I prefer to have petty cash or a credit card on hand for surprise needs. (Extra sunscreen, entry fees, etc.) Keeping track of receipts for reimbursement becomes just another task to manage.

Rest and Recharge

This is essential! We all need downtime. Your nanny is likely working at a higher voltage than usual. Build in regular break periods to allow for recharge.

Nanny’s Perspective: Make sure you have time off during your travels! While at the destination, I typically ask for one day off completely to myself. For example, on a day off in Hawaii, I planned a solo waterfall hike. It was a wonderful way to recharge.

Privacy Please

Often when families travel together they share bedrooms or sleep in common areas. Remember, although you have a familial rapport, your nanny shouldn’t be expected to share a room. Privacy is essential in maintaining professional boundaries.

Nanny’s Perspective: Choose your lodging wisely. I have done several different arrangements, from rooming with the children to solo lodging at a nearby hotel. The best option for me is the one that provides complete privacy during off-schedule times. 

Compensate Accordingly

A nanny’s schedule and responsibilities are often pushed to the limits during travel times. Budget for hourly rate (overtime if working more than 40 hours in a 7-day period), daily stipend for food/expenses, lodging, flight/other travel fees. Remember, your nanny should not be expected to pay out of pocket when accompanying you on vacation.

Nanny’s Perspective: Dining out isn’t within my regular budget. So when traveling I require that my employers cover the cost of meals. 

Re-Entry

Give your nanny adequate time to acclimate back to the routine. We’re all a bit fried after our return flights. Provide your nanny time off to reset. This is especially helpful if jet lag is part of the equation.

Nanny’s Perspective: I always request at least a day off before and after traveling. I find that I’m not at my best and it takes longer to bounce back if I don’t take a moment to settle. Trust me, I went on a seven-day trip after a five-day work week once. I was delusional and burnt out at the end – never again!

The Conclusion

Traveling together requires a professional approach. We recommend a travel work agreement to help set your team up for success. Contact Starling to consult about best practices when traveling with your nanny!

Starling is a stellar nanny placement agency proudly serving Greater Seattle and the Eastside. Starling nannies are passionate about education and child development! We represent professional nannies, private teachers, newborn care specialists, household managers, family assistants, personal assistants, and more. Learn more about Starling’s core values.