Traveling with Nanny

[Anonymous]

I want to know how others structure pay and time off when their nanny travels with them. We are going to the beach for a week this summer (domestic) and have rented a large house, nanny would have her own room. We are debating asking nanny to care for the kids either 4 hours/day with one or two days being 8 hours, split between AM and PM so the parents can go out. The rest of the time would be hers and she would have access to a car.

Nanny typically works 8-9 hour days and we would want to keep paying her what she typically earns, so she would be paid for 8 hours when only working 4. Do we need to pay a stipend or overnight rate too? We wouldn’t need her to care for the kids overnight and she would be welcome to eat with us, if she wanted, but I know some employees would rather peace out during their off hours.

[Anonymous]

We also paid our nanny a $75 a night convenience fee

[Anonymous]

When I travel with families I’m automatically paid at least what I normally earn, even with fewer hours. Plus I was given extra cash for my meals out on my own, as I don’t have access to my kitchen.

Private room is a basic. I understand how this arrangement seems like a fun thing for the nanny, but many of her nanny friends usually get fully paid time off when the families travel. My employer always wanted me to have a very nice time so I’d be agreeable to travel with them again.

[Anonymous]

Remember this is your vacation not hers. You may have her working far more and if she's in the house she's still a responsible adult. You absolutely pay her more as she's away from home and its not a vacation for her, its work. And, let her know its ok to say no (I did that once and it was miserable - working 10-12 hours a day as even if parents were there they were relaxing and not caring for the kids, they also didn't clean up so I was the housekeeper too).

[Anonymous]

I'd say it depends on what she's leaving home to be with you full time for a week. Is she leaving her husband, kids, a boyfriend, nothing?
Even being single she won't be able to enjoy her time off just like she would at home and a domestic vacation is fun for you and maybe not for her.

Families don't realize how working and traveling with them can really be stressful and not fun at all for us nannies.

I'd ask her what she's expecting ?

As a nanny myself I'd be happy with lighter hours, extra cash on top of my regular pay and some little perks here and there - doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.

[Anonymous]

Regular pay plus an overnight fee is how I’ve always handled it. Fee is $50-$75/night.

[Anonymous]

Some of this depends on if you’re in a fun walkable area where she can go explore in her own time vs a beach house in the middle of nowhere with not much to do.
You at least pay the regular salary but I would do a “ travel stipend” too on top of that.
Don’t make her watch other relatives kids either or friends kids, without offering money. That breeds resentment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of this depends on if you’re in a fun walkable area where she can go explore in her own time vs a beach house in the middle of nowhere with not much to do.
You at least pay the regular salary but I would do a “ travel stipend” too on top of that.
Don’t make her watch other relatives kids either or friends kids, without offering money. That breeds resentment.

Remember what you consider fun or a nice area, she may not. And, she needs access to a car if she drives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regular pay plus an overnight fee is how I’ve always handled it. Fee is $50-$75/night.

That fee isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regular pay plus an overnight fee is how I’ve always handled it. Fee is $50-$75/night.

That fee isn't worth it.

I used to be a Nanny, depending on the location it is.
Key West or New Orleans for example. I’d have never gone by myself. But to go with a family and work less hours, and be able to go explore when off duty. Would totally have loved that in my 20s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Regular pay plus an overnight fee is how I’ve always handled it. Fee is $50-$75/night.

That fee isn't worth it.

I used to be a Nanny, depending on the location it is.
Key West or New Orleans for example. I’d have never gone by myself. But to go with a family and work less hours, and be able to go explore when off duty. Would totally have loved that in my 20s.

I've done it and most families promise less hours and its more. You are rarely off duty. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the advice! I would definitely pay her regular salary and it would be half the hours, no other family members with kids there. Just trying to figure out what a nightly rate on top of that would be to make it worth it for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the advice! I would definitely pay her regular salary and it would be half the hours, no other family members with kids there. Just trying to figure out what a nightly rate on top of that would be to make it worth it for her.

200

[Anonymous]

Don'tforget a food stipend. A nanny doesn't always want to eat what the family cooks so maybe offer a food stipend so she can take herself out for dinner. Families don't realize how expensive it is to have a traveling nanny. Your best bet is to leave her at home and give her the time off.

[Anonymous]

Travel time is also legally required to be paid (so airport/flight/car commute). Then a $100 per night stipend is typical. If she will be away from your family at typical meal times, you should also give her a food stipend.