Traveling With Your Nanny: A Practical Guide for Families

Traveling with a nanny can be a true game-changer for families who want to enjoy their vacation without sacrificing consistency, structure, or quality childcare. With the right planning, bringing a nanny along can reduce stress, preserve routines, and allow parents to fully enjoy their time away.

That said, traveling with a nanny is still a professional arrangement and requires thoughtful preparation, clear expectations, and mutual respect. Below is a practical guide to help families navigate pay, scheduling, accommodations, and communication so the experience is positive for everyone involved.

1. Pre-Travel Discussions and Agreement

Before any tickets are booked, sit down with your nanny to discuss the details of the trip. Transparency is essential. Review travel dates, length of stay, destinations, and what the nanny’s role will look like while away. This is also the time to address questions, boundaries, and any concerns either party may have.

Putting everything in writing—either as an addendum to your work agreement or a separate travel agreement—helps avoid confusion and protects both sides.

2. Pay and Expenses

When a nanny travels with your family, all travel-related expenses are the responsibility of the family. This includes airfare, accommodations, meals, and any transportation required for the nanny to perform their job.

In addition to covering expenses, families should plan for the following:

• Regular Pay: The nanny should be paid for all working hours during the trip at their agreed-upon rate.

• Overtime Pay: If travel results in longer days, overnight care, or schedule changes that exceed normal hours, overtime should be paid according to the agreed terms and applicable labor laws.

• Daily Stipend: A daily stipend is standard practice when traveling. This provides the nanny with discretionary funds for personal meals, incidentals, and small expenses while away from home.

3. Accommodation and Living Arrangements

Comfortable accommodations are critical. Ideally, your nanny should have a private room to allow for rest and personal downtime. If staying in a hotel or resort, make arrangements to have the nanny in the same or nearby quarters to ensure easy access to the child(ren) and maintain the routine.

4. Schedule and Free Time

Even while traveling, your nanny should have a clear schedule. Outline daily working hours and confirm when the nanny is off-duty. While flexibility is often part of travel, respecting personal time is essential.

A well-defined schedule allows your nanny to recharge or explore independently, which helps maintain a healthy working relationship throughout the trip.

5. Nanny's Role During the Trip

Be specific about expectations beyond standard childcare. Will the nanny assist with packing, accompany the family on excursions, help with travel days, or manage bedtime routines while parents attend events?

Clarifying responsibilities upfront prevents resentment and ensures everyone understands their role.

Traveling with a nanny can be a seamless and rewarding experience when expectations are clearly defined in advance.

When families approach travel as an extension of the professional employment relationship, it creates clarity, trust, and consistency for everyone involved. Clear communication and written agreements are key to ensuring a smooth and successful trip.