Travel Nanny Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Are you dreaming of wonderful summer getaways? I know this is what I tend to do during England's harsh winter! Perhaps you're considering making this the year you invite your Nanny on your family holiday? You likely have several questions about how this arrangement might work, and the team at Kindred is here to help answer them! While every family will have their individual queries, we'll cover the most common questions here. If we don't address your specific concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Kindred team - we're always happy to help!

The most frequent question we receive concerns the costs involved. This is understandably an important consideration for many families, as it's something you'll need to account for and build into your holiday budget. A travel nanny will expect coverage of their travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and their wage. Let's break down each of these components in detail to give you a better understanding.

Travel Arrangements

If you're flying to your destination, you're responsible for covering not only your nanny's flight but also their airport transfers, travel time (both to and from the holiday location), and travel insurance.

Some families may wonder why they should pay for travel time when the nanny isn't actively caring for the children. It's important to recognise that your nanny is dedicating time that would otherwise be spent earning income in their usual working environment. This principle applies regardless of whether your nanny is traveling by plane, train, or car.

Travel insurance is another key consideration. It should cover not just the journey itself but also the nanny’s health while abroad. For example, if you're going on a ski holiday and expect your nanny to ski with the children, the family should pay for comprehensive insurance that includes winter sports coverage.

Finally, be sure to check visa requirements and any necessary travel documentation well in advance of your trip to avoid last-minute issues.

Accommodation Considerations

Most nannies prefer having their own bedroom while traveling, though this isn't always feasible when staying with friends or in accommodations with limited space. The key is to discuss accommodation arrangements with your nanny well before the trip, ensuring they're fully aware of the setup in advance. Many nannies are comfortable sharing hotel rooms or bedrooms with children, and a shared bathroom with the children is typically not an issue. However, if the nanny is sharing space with children who might wake during the night (such as infants or toddlers), they should be offered an overnight retainer. For extended trips, it's essential to consider providing the nanny with some private space where they can enjoy downtime and recharge when they're not working.

Meal Arrangements

Similar to live-in nanny arrangements, a travel nanny will expect their three main meals to be included during their stay. While additional snacks during their free time should be their responsibility, the family should cover all regular meals. Nannies are typically happy to dine with the children, and if the accommodation has cooking facilities, they'll usually have their evening meal with the children. It's worth discussing any dietary requirements or preferences beforehand to ensure everyone's comfort during the stay.

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Hours and Compensation

A nanny's salary will vary depending on your requirements and their expectations. While there isn't an industry standard for holiday arrangements, as it heavily depends on the type of holiday and specific role requirements, it's crucial to have a detailed discussion about working hours before the trip. Outline your expectations and how you envision the schedule working. If you need some flexibility, communicate this in advance so your nanny can prepare accordingly. For most trips, Kindred recommends a minimum of 7 hours per day to make the arrangement worthwhile for the nanny. We suggest using an hourly rate or day rate aligned with London market rates based on the required hours.

For families traveling with their existing nanny, consider their current salary and any additional hours they'll work during the holiday. If they typically live out, Kindred recommends offering an overnight retainer for each night away from home, ranging from £30-£60 per evening, depending on overnight responsibilities. When young children are involved and the nanny is expected to attend to them during the night, the retainer should be at the higher end of this range.

Excursions and Activities

If you've planned enjoyable activities and would like your nanny to participate, they'll likely be happy to join. When the nanny is working during these excursions, you should cover the cost of each activity. The only expenses the nanny should bear are their meals and activities during their designated time off.

Group Travel Considerations

When traveling with friends or extended family where other children will be present, it's crucial to clearly define your nanny's responsibilities. Your nanny should never be solely responsible for a large group of children, but if they're caring for one or two additional children, they should receive appropriate additional compensation. This arrangement should be discussed and agreed upon before the trip begins.

Planning for Success

Our strongest recommendation is to create a plan! Schedule a meeting with your nanny or Kindred consultant to outline how you envision the trip unfolding. Kindred recommends having a fixed-term contract in place, even for shorter trips. You can download our sample nanny contract from our website for guidance.

If you don't currently have a nanny, or if your regular nanny is unable to join your holiday, please contact the Kindred team. We have lots of wonderful temporary nannies who would love to travel with your family.

Remember, this is very much your holiday (not the nannys!) and to ensure smooth sailing, communicate your needs and expectations early and prior to the trip.

Time to get planning!