The Summer Nanny
Childcare Services
What is a Summer Nanny?
A Summer Nanny is a childcare professional who supports families during the summer months, often adapting to changes in schedule, travel, and the daily rhythms that come with the freedom of school being out. Summer nannies provide consistency and structure while often embracing a more flexible, activity-driven lifestyle - balancing routine with outdoor play, enrichment, and travel.
Some families engage summer nannies to provide continuity of care during their primary caregiver’s scheduled time off, or to supplement existing childcare teams during travel heavy or high demand periods. This added layer of support allows households to maintain consistency, flexibility, and ease throughout the summer months.
Many Summer Nanny roles are structured on rotational schedules, particularly for families who divide time between multiple homes or travel extensively during the summer. In these arrangements, nannies may alternate coverage with another qualified caregiver, allowing for seamless support while ensuring each nanny has scheduled time off.
Summer Nanny positions often naturally extend into travel support, with care provided across different homes or destinations. Because summer schedules vary widely, summer nanny roles are highly customized. Some positions involve full-time live-in care for a defined period, while others may include extended daytime hours, rotational coverage, or shared responsibilities with additional staff. The structure is tailored to reflect a family’s plans, travel schedule, and overall childcare needs.
At its core, a Summer Nanny role is designed to offer families dependable, adaptable support during a dynamic time of year - allowing children to thrive while parents enjoy a well supported season.
To learn more about working with a summer nanny, or to begin the placement process, we invite you to connect for a consultation.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Summer Nanny?
A summer nanny is equal parts caregiver, coordinator, and calm anchor during a season that tends to move quickly. While safety and supervision remain essential, summer care is more hands on, more dynamic, and often more logistical than during the school year.
Summer nannies keep days running smoothly by managing the details that make summer feel effortless; packing for camp or beach days, coordinating activities, keeping kids fueled and hydrated, and knowing when to lean into adventure versus when to slow things down. The best summer nannies bring structure without rigidity and fun without chaos.
Rather than following a fixed academic schedule, summer nannies curate days that balance movement, creativity, rest, and play. This might mean organizing outdoor activities, supporting camp schedules, planning age-appropriate outings, or turning ordinary moments into engaging experiences. The goal is not productivity, but presence - and making the most of the season while keeping children regulated and cared for.
Summer nannies also act as a steady point of continuity. When routines shift, locations change, or days look different week to week, they help children stay grounded while keeping parents informed and supported.
Many summer nanny roles include travel or time split between multiple homes.
In these situations, responsibilities may expand to include:
Managing transitions between homes, hotels, or destinations
Packing, organizing, and preparing for travel days
Maintaining familiar routines in new environments
Supporting children through time zone changes and schedule shifts
Coordinating with other caregivers or household staff when rotating or overlapping coverage is in place
Staying flexible, calm, and solutions-oriented when plans change
A strong Summer Nanny brings a sense of ease to movement and change - helping children feel secure and parents feel confident, wherever the season leads.
To learn more about working with a summer nanny, or to begin the placement process, we invite you to connect for a consultation.
Typical Summer Nanny Schedules.
Summer nanny roles are highly adaptable and shaped around each family’s plans, travel, and pace of life. Common arrangements include:
Seasonal Full-Time: A defined contract covering the summer months (often June through August)
Travel-Based Support: Care provided across multiple locations or during extended travel
Rotational Summer Coverage: Alternating schedules between two nannies to support travel or long hours
Supplemental Care: Additional coverage alongside an existing nanny or caregiver during high-demand periods
Caregiver Relief: Temporary coverage while a primary nanny is on vacation or leave
Because no two summers look the same, schedules are customized to reflect each family’s plans - whether that means time at a single home, extended stays in seasonal locations, or periods of travel throughout the summer.
Is a Summer Nanny Right for Your Family?
A Summer Nanny may be the right fit if your family’s needs shift significantly when school is out. Many families find seasonal childcare especially valuable when days become longer, routines loosen, or travel increases. You may benefit from a Summer Nanny if:
Your children have long, unstructured summer days
Your family travels or divides time between multiple homes
Your primary caregiver takes extended time off during the summer
You want consistent care without a year-round commitment
You value flexibility, activity, and ease during the summer months
For families seeking dependable support during a dynamic season, a summer nanny offers continuity without permanence; providing structure, care, and presence while allowing summer… to feel like summer.
Questions and Answers
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A typical summer nanny contract usually runs for two to four months, most commonly covering late spring through early fall. The exact length depends on the family’s needs, such as school schedules, travel plans, or whether the role is intended as a short-term position or a potential transition into a longer-term arrangement.
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Yes. A summer nanny can absolutely transition into a full-time role. Many families use a summer position as a trial period to see if the arrangement is a good long-term fit. If both the family and nanny are aligned, the role can often evolve into a full-time position with updated hours, responsibilities, and compensation agreed upon at the end of the summer.
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Summer Nanny roles are typically live-out.
Most families hire summer nannies who commute daily, especially when the position is short-term or seasonal. In some cases, such as travel-heavy summers or roles in resort areas, live-in arrangements may be offered, but live-out is the standard setup.
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Yes, a summer nanny can travel internationally, provided they have a valid passport and are legally able to travel. If international travel is an important requirement for your family, be sure to let us know in advance so the search can be tailored to candidates who are comfortable with and available for overseas travel.
If you know that you will be traveling with your Summer Nanny, you may appreciate the information available on the Travel Nanny page.
At The Grocery Store, the Anti-Agency, the process begins with a brief conversation about your family’s routine, expectations, and the environment you want to create at home. From there, we define the role with care and conduct a discreet search aligned with your values and long term goals.
How to Hire a Summer Nanny.
The Grocery Store places Summer Nannies across major residential, metropolitan, and resort destinations:
Southern California, Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, and surrounding communities
Northern California, San Francisco, Atherton, Palo Alto, Woodside, and the greater Bay Area
Florida, Miami, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and neighboring coastal areas
New York City and New York State, the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, SoHo, TriBeCa, Chelsea, Brooklyn, the Hamptons, and the greater Tri-State area
Connecticut and nearby regions, Greenwich, Stamford, Westchester, and surrounding communities
New England, Boston and surrounding areas of Massachusetts, as well as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard
The Midwest, Chicago and surrounding areas
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Maryland and Virginia
Texas, Houston, Austin, Dallas, and other major cities
The Pacific Northwest, Seattle and Portland
Resort destinations, Aspen, Colorado, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu, Maui, and the North Shore
Nationwide, with select international placements
