The Travel Nanny
Childcare Services
What is a Travel Nanny?
A Travel Nanny provides experienced, adaptable childcare for families who spend extended time away from home. The role is designed to bring continuity, calm, and structure to family travel - whether for a single trip or as part of an ongoing lifestyle.
Some families engage a travel nanny on a temporary basis, bringing in additional support for a specific journey. This is often helpful when a primary nanny is unavailable to travel or when extra hands are needed to support existing household staff during longer or more complex trips.
Other families choose a full time travel nanny - an ideal arrangement for those who travel frequently or on short notice. In these roles, the nanny works primarily in the family’s home base while remaining fully prepared to travel as needed. For especially demanding schedules, families may opt for a rotating, or ROTA nanny arrangement to ensure consistency of care while avoiding caregiver fatigue.
Regardless of structure, travel nannies are highly skilled in managing children on the move. They are adept at packing and preparation, navigating airports and long transit days, maintaining routines in unfamiliar settings, and responding calmly to the unexpected. Many also plan age appropriate activities and itineraries in new destinations, helping children stay engaged and settled wherever they are.
Many Travel Nannies are bilingual or multilingual, offering added ease when traveling internationally and the opportunity for natural language exposure - particularly valuable for families who return regularly to the same destinations.
Why Hire a Travel Nanny?
Traveling with children should feel expansive, not exhausting. A travel nanny allows parents to fully enjoy the experience - whether that means exploring a city at an unhurried pace, attending to business commitments, enjoying an evening out, or visiting destinations without concern for age restrictions.
With experienced support in place, parents gain peace of mind and flexibility, while children benefit from consistent care, structure, and engagement. A travel nanny helps maintain routines in unfamiliar settings and thoughtfully shapes each day so travel feels both enjoyable and enriching.
The result is a more balanced experience for everyone; one where children feel supported and stimulated, and parents are free to be present, relaxed, and fully immersed in the journey.
To learn more about working with a travel nanny, or to begin the placement process, we invite you to connect for a consultation.
Questions and Answers
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When traveling, Nannies continue to be paid their regular rate, with overtime applied if additional hours are worked. Because schedules while traveling are often longer and less predictable than at home, it’s important to review expected hours, availability, and compensation in advance of the trip.
Families are responsible for covering all travel-related expenses for the Nanny, including transportation, lodging, and meals. In most cases, families also provide a travel stipend to cover daily food and incidental expenses, which should reflect the cost of living at the destination. This stipend may also include climate-appropriate supplies or necessary wardrobe items within an agreed-upon budget.
All travel time is paid. Time spent in transit to and from the destination is considered working time and should be compensated accordingly.
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While traveling with a familiar caregiver is often preferred, it isn’t always possible due to availability, personal commitments, or visa limitations.
In these situations, families may choose to hire a temporary travel nanny specifically for the trip. When timing allows, it can be helpful for the travel nanny to spend time with the child ahead of departure to build familiarity and ensure a smoother transition.
Going forward, families may also wish to discuss travel expectations during the hiring process for future long-term roles.
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Clear communication and advance planning are key to successful travel with a Nanny. Discuss schedules, accommodations, compensation, and expectations before the trip begins, and plan for some flexibility once travel is underway. Being realistic about longer days and changes to routine helps set everyone up for a positive experience and avoids unnecessary stress while away.
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 Travel Nanny.
The Grocery Store places Travel 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