Are you planning your family summer vacations now? Whether you are heading to a cooler climate for a long weekend, flying to an all-inclusive tropical resort, or renewing your passport for an extended trip to Europe, traveling with a Nanny can be wonderful! Who doesn’t want the balance of spending time with the children, and having time together as adults?!
That said, we have seen things go sideways with families and nannies when they do not properly prepare. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get ahead of problems, and allow your vacation to be truly relaxing and refreshing.
Pre-Trip Logistics:
Share Itinerary: Keep your nanny informed about the family’s complete itinerary (some savvy nannies can help with the planning as well). This includes transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and rest times, ensuring a well-organized trip for all. If you can build in the time off for the nanny at this stage, that also helps set expectations.
Collaborative Packing: Nannies can help pack your children’s suitcases, but don’t forget to make a list of other items, such as medications, snacks, and entertainment options for the children. If you can help with the initial list, a nanny can use this for future trips as well. Make sure your nanny has all emergency contact information and relevant medical details for each family member. Ensure they have access to important documents such as health insurance cards.
Costs:
Arrange and Cover Travel Details: As the employer, it’s your responsibility to pay for all travel arrangements, including airport transportation, flights, hotel accommodations, meals, and activities. If there will be time that the nanny is fully off, make sure it is clear that she will be covering the cost of any optional activities.
Nightly Stipend: It goes without saying, you should pay your Nanny their hourly rate for their working hours. In addition to their working hours, it is industry standard to be compensated a nightly stipend to account for your nanny’s time away from their home, their friends/family, and not being able to take care of their at-home responsibilities (pets, watering plants, etc.). The average stipend is typically between $50-$125 per night, and sometimes families and nannies agree on a flat rate, depending on the duration of the trip.
Communication:
Open Communication: It is essential to discuss expectations, schedules, and any specific requirements well in advance of the trip. We recommend a travel contract for each trip, which we provide to our placed families. Before the trip, it is important to discuss whether you will expect your nanny to care for any additional children while traveling. At this stage, you can determine the feasibility and the corresponding compensation increase for the additional responsibilities.
Establish Downtime and Personal Space: Define when your nanny is on duty and when they have personal time off, and stick to it. Arrange for your nanny to have their own room or space to unwind and recharge during their off-hours. If a nanny must room with your children, they are typically paid for all hours, versus the nightly stipend.
Express Gratitude: It is important to express gratitude and appreciation for the nanny’s hard work and dedication throughout the trip. Keep in mind that this is not a vacation for your nanny, but rather a work trip — no matter how beautiful the accommodations are. (hint: This is quite possibly the biggest tip of them all!)
We are happy to provide any advice and/or help our placed families draft a travel contract. The trip is sure to be a success for all parties if you simply discuss and agree to the details.
