We all need a little getaway from time to time. But let’s face it, what’s a vacation if it still feels like “parenting in a different zip code”? At Jovie, we believe childcare should provide the tools and support you need to bring order and joy to your family, even when you’re miles from home.
Planning childcare while traveling helps maintain routines, reduce stress, and allow parents to fully enjoy their vacation.Thinking ahead about childcare options can make all the difference. You can enjoy some well-deserved relaxation while your child has a blast. Here are some ways to find the right childcare options on vacation so you can fully embrace your downtime and recharge.
How to Check for Hotel and Resort Childcare Before You Book
Depending on where you’re traveling, your destination might provide childcare options. If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, for example, the resort might have nannies on staff or on-site childcare that have already been vetted. Similarly, some hotels work with trusted local go-to childcare service providers (like Jovie!) they can recommend to families.
If that’s the case at your hotel, your concierge can help arrange babysitting through them, and a professional babysitter will come to your location. Pro Tip: When calling ahead, ask whether the sitters are CPR-certified and whether the hotel offers “in-room” care, which allows your kids to sleep in their own travel cribs while you enjoy a late dinner.
If you’re headed to a particularly family-friendly spot, like a kid-friendly cruise or park, there might be kids’ activities or camps where your child can have new experiences. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and see if you can book a spot for your child in advance, as these spots fill up quickly.
How to Hire a Local Babysitter While Traveling
Finding the right babysitter or nanny in a new area can feel a bit daunting. With the Jovie app, you can bypass the stress of the unknown. We have a “Savvy Sitter Squad” in major vacation destinations across the country, all of whom have passed the rigorous Jovie Standard—including extensive background and reference checks.
Working with a local Jovie agency means you get a sitter who knows the local area, from the best hidden parks to the quietest corners of the beach. You can feel at ease knowing that you’ve found someone trustworthy who’ll take great care of your child.
Tips for Finding and Trusting a Local Babysitter on Vacation
Let’s be real: vacation planning should be about picking out swimsuits and scouting the best local gelato spots, not scrolling through endless forums or playing private investigator. When you’re in a new city, the idea of handing your room key to a stranger can feel a bit daunting. You want to ensure they meet high vetting standards, but who has time for that between packing suitcases?
This is where the “boring stuff” matters most—and why you shouldn’t have to do it yourself. Here’s what goes into professional-grade trust:
- The Gold Standard of Background Checks: A simple online search isn’t enough. Professional vetting includes multi-state criminal records, social security traces, and sex offender registry checks.
- Vetted References: It’s about more than just a resume; it’s about speaking with previous families to ensure the sitter is as high-energy and reliable as they claim to be.
- Strict Safety Policies: You want a sitter who isn’t just “good with kids,” but one who is trained in CPR/first aid and understands safe-sleep environments and water safety.
Why a Childcare Agency is the Secret to a Stress-Free Vacation
The biggest benefit of working with an agency like Jovie is that we do the heavy lifting for you. Spending your pre-vacation hours interviewing candidates and running background checks is a total buzzkill.
By choosing an agency-vetted sitter, you skip the “resource hunt” and jump straight to the relaxation. We’ve already handled the interviews, verified the credentials, and confirmed the background checks are crystal clear. You get all the peace of mind without any of the administrative headaches, leaving you free to focus on what actually matters: your out-of-office reply.
What Families Need to Know About Traveling With a Nanny
Consider bringing your nanny or babysitter on your trip to ensure your vacation is refreshing and fun. This option is especially beneficial for international travel or long flights. However, traveling with an employee requires a bit of planning to keep things fair and professional:
- Compensation & FLSA Compliance: Remember that travel time is work time. If your nanny is “on-call” or supervising children during the flight, they must be paid. Ensure you are meeting all overtime requirements for your destination.
- The Travel Addendum: Communicate clearly before the trip. We suggest a simple 1-page agreement covering travel dates, private accommodations, meal stipends, and specific “off-duty” hours.
- The Comfort Factor: Your nanny already knows your child’s routines and dietary needs. This familiarity means less stress for your child and more “joy” for the parents.
While this option involves more logistics, the peace of mind of having your “home team” support on the road is often priceless.
Vacation Childcare Tips for Infants, Toddlers, and Kids
Every age group has different needs when transitioning to a new environment:
- Infants: Schedule your sitter to arrive 30 minutes early to walk through the nursery setup and review safe-sleep practices in the hotel room.
- Toddlers: Pack a “comfort bag” full of their favorite toys and snacks. Introduce the sitter while you are still in the room so your toddler can warm up to a new face.
- School-Aged Kids: Look for an “Activity-Based Sitter” through Jovie who can take the kids to a local museum or the hotel pool while you attend an event or spa appointment.
Find Flexible Vacation Childcare with Jovie
Whether you want to bring your favorite nanny or find a great sitter at your destination, Jovie has your back. We lift the weight off your shoulders by handling the time-consuming details of vetting and payroll, so you can focus on making memories your family will be talking about for years. Contact Jovie today to find an experienced caregiver at your destination, and get ready for the whole family to have a blast!
