Taking Your Nanny on Holiday

School is out and the summer holiday is here! Many families will be travelling with their nannies this summer.

Some families travel with their nannies regularly all year round and others hire nannies to accompany them just for a holiday.

Benefits of bringing your nanny on holiday: 

Taking a nanny on holiday can be an amazing experience which allows families to have quality time with their children and equally relax and enjoy their time on their own.

Many parents work hard and love spending time with their children but sometimes they can be challenging. Taking a nanny on holiday is, therefore, a perfect solution for the children to enjoy themselves while the parents socialize, relax and rest knowing that the children are in safe hands. 

With a nanny on holiday, families have complete flexibility so they do not have to compromise their enjoyment for their children's safety and wellbeing. 

In addition, many nannies have extra skills such as swimming, skiing, or another language that can make life easier and more enjoyable when travelling with kids. 

A nanny can be an excellent solution for busy families that would like an extra pair of hands to enjoy time with their kids relax and unwind alone at the same time.

What should be discussed with your nanny before the holiday? 

You should discuss travel details with your nanny, ensuring she understands the role and your expectations. Normal nanny duties may differ from their responsibilities while travelling with you.

Families hiring a nanny for just one holiday often draft a mini contract for the duration. 

There are many important details to include, such as start and end dates, days and hours needed, general schedule, travel arrangements, hotel, accommodation, food arrangements, responsibilities and requirements, daily duties, and any rules that the family may have. Salary also should be included. 

Whether the nanny will be doing proxy parenting should be discussed beforehand. A nanny should have an itinerary with activities so that she can pack accordingly. 

It is recommended that the nanny has their own room and that they will be paid for overnight hours if they share a room with your baby or children. 

What if another family joins you or your friend's children, will your nanny also take care of their children? It is important to discuss the duties with your nanny in advance, and if she will be caring for other children, she should be compensated accordingly. 

Will she be responsible for housekeeping duties if you are staying in a villa or rented apartment? Are you going to have another nanny accompany you and how will the jobs be divided? We recommend that you introduce more than one nanny before travelling if they will be travelling together. 

As soon as the nanny knows her responsibilities and the exact requirements of the job, she will be able to blend into the family seamlessly. 

Travel expenses:

Travel, accommodation, food, outings, and all travel-related expenses, including the Covid test, should all be paid for by the family. Additionally, families often give pocket money to nannies during their time off. The money can be spent on a meal out, a bus ticket, or a cab ride.  

Salary:

A nanny must be paid the agreed hourly rate and overnight hours if they are on duty or sleeping with your baby or children. If the nanny works longer hours, she should also be paid for them. Many employers offer her time in lieu on the way back from holiday if she works six or seven days a week. Overtime hours should be paid at the hourly rate agreed upon. 

Review rules and routines:

You should discuss how you feel about your nanny drinking alcoholic beverages during the holiday (during their time off). Do you feel comfortable giving her a glass of wine or beer after the children have gone to bed? 

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is also requested to be signed by some families.  

Travel and health insurance: 

 It is also a good idea to discuss travel and health insurance with your nanny and make sure her passport is valid and has enough time left on it, as well as make sure she has the appropriate visas if needed.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful and if you have any more questions or if you would like us to help you find your perfect candidate then please do not hesitate to contact us.