Do you ever take a vacation with the kids, only to feel like you need another vacation when you get home? Traveling with children can make for some unforgettable memories, but it can often be a drain on your energy and make you feel like you can’t fully enjoy your trip. That’s where a “vacation nanny” comes in.
For most families, bringing a nanny on vacation means an extra set of hands and eyes. If you’re traveling to a crowded city or theme park, having those extra eyes keeping watch on the kids can create peace of mind. Some parents may need to get some work done while on vacation, so a nanny would then help to entertain the little ones during that time. If the kids are still taking naps, the nanny can stay with them during nap time so the parents can have some genuine vacation time together.
Parents also might want a fancy dinner out during the trip, and having the kids’ usual nanny with them might be a better option than using a hotel’s babysitting service (if they have one). Speaking of familiarity, some children may feel uncomfortable in new surroundings far from home. Having that familiar person with you who you trust and who knows your kids well can make them feel less apprehensive about being in a foreign environment.
As tempting as it sounds to have a nanny with you, it’s critical that parents realize that their vacation time is not the same as their nanny’s vacation time. A nanny who travels with a family and performs work responsibilities should be paid accordingly. Here are some quick tips on how to compensate your nanny for your family vacation:
- Outline exactly what the nanny’s job responsibilities and hours will be prior to departing.
- Your nanny needs to be paid for all travel time to and from the destination, as well as costs for flights, accommodations, meals, and any other travel-related expenses.
- Your nanny should be paid the normal salary for all hours they are “on the clock.”
- Nannies should have their own space for sleeping, either in a separate hotel room or their own bedroom within a hotel suite or time-share.
- Any weekly hours over 40 need to be paid as overtime pay (one and a half times the regular hourly pay).
You do not need to compensate a nanny during any of her own free time on the trip when she is not doing anything work-related.
Make sure you discuss any travel plans with your nanny well in advance of booking a trip. Many nannies will gladly accompany you on a vacation, even if they are working, because it may provide opportunities to travel to places they otherwise could not visit. But some nannies may not want the responsibilities of child care when they’re in an exotic locale. In that case, you can ask an agency for a temporary nanny just for the vacation.
For more information about vacation nannies, contact us at (518) 348-0400.