The holiday season is almost here! Between school breaks, family visits, holiday parties, travel plans, and everything in between, November is the perfect time to start getting your childcare plan in place.
For families with a nanny, the holidays can also mean changing schedules, extra hours, travel, and a fuller house. A little planning now can go a long way toward making the season feel joyful instead of chaotic.
Before the holiday calendar fills up, take some time to check in with your nanny, talk through what’s changing, and make sure you’re both on the same page. Clear expectations now mean fewer surprises later—and more time to actually enjoy the season together!
1. Talk About Holiday Schedules Early
The holidays can turn a predictable family schedule upside down. School and daycare closures, holiday parties, family gatherings, and travel can all mean changes to your nanny’s usual hours.
Before November gets too busy, sit down with your nanny and discuss:
School and daycare closures
Changes to regular working hours
Holiday parties and events
Early mornings or later evenings
Additional childcare needs
Days the family will be traveling
Encourage families to give their nanny as much notice as possible when schedules change. The more everyone knows ahead of time, the easier it is to create a holiday schedule that works for everyone.
2. Be Clear About Overtime and Extra Hours
Holiday plans can easily turn a regular workday into a longer one. A family dinner may run late, a school closure may create an unexpected childcare need, or you may need your nanny to work an additional day.
If parents need their nanny to stay late, work an additional day, or take on extra hours, discuss this ahead of time whenever possible. Clarify how additional hours will be handled and make sure everyone understands the agreed-upon compensation.
This is also a good opportunity to revisit the expectations you established when you hired your nanny. Our guide to hiring a nanny or babysitter offers helpful tips for creating a successful working relationship from the start.
3. Discuss Travel Expectations
If your family is traveling with your nanny, don't wait until the week before the trip to discuss the details.
Traveling with a nanny can be a wonderful way to make family vacations easier, but the line between work time and personal time can become less obvious when everyone is away from home.
Before you go, talk about:
Travel dates and transportation
Working hours while traveling
Accommodations
Meals and expenses
Responsibilities during travel
Time off while away
For more tips on making travel with your nanny enjoyable and stress-free, check out Traveling with a Nanny: Tips for a Smooth Family Vacation.
Traveling together can be a wonderful experience when expectations are clear from the beginning.
4. Respect Time Off
The holidays are a time for everyone to spend time with the people they love—including your nanny.
Families should communicate their holiday plans early and respect agreed-upon days off. Nannies should also communicate their availability and plans as soon as they know them.
Remember that your nanny's time away from work is their own. Even if you're traveling or hosting family, avoid assuming that your nanny will automatically be available for additional childcare.
A little advance planning can prevent a lot of last-minute stress.
5. Talk About Family Visits and Holiday Events
Grandparents, cousins, friends, and extended family may mean a much busier household. What normally feels like a calm day at home can suddenly become a house full of guests, activities, meals, and changing routines.
Before the holiday gathering, consider discussing:
Who will be visiting
Whether the nanny is expected to work during gatherings
Changes to the children's routines
Additional responsibilities
Whether relatives will be involved in childcare
Your nanny shouldn't have to guess what is expected simply because the house is suddenly full of people.
6. Gifts, Bonuses, and Holiday Appreciation
Holiday gifts and bonuses can be a meaningful way for families to show appreciation for their nanny's work throughout the year.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but families may want to consider what feels appropriate based on their employment arrangement, tenure, responsibilities, and overall relationship.
Most importantly, appreciation shouldn't replace fair compensation or clear employment expectations. A thoughtful thank-you, holiday card, gift, or bonus can be a wonderful addition to an already strong working relationship.
7. Keep Communication Open
The holidays don't need to become complicated when families and nannies communicate openly.
A quick conversation can cover:
What's changing?
What stays the same?
What additional help is needed?
What time off is already planned?
Are there any concerns or questions?
Don't assume—ask.
Open communication is one of the most important parts of building a positive nanny-family relationship. Learn more about creating a strong relationship with your nanny.
A Holiday Checklist for Families
Before the holiday season gets busy, sit down with your nanny and review:
☐ Holiday schedule changes
☐ School closures
☐ Extra hours or overtime
☐ Travel plans
☐ Time off
☐ Family visits
☐ Holiday events
☐ Additional household responsibilities
☐ Gifts or bonuses
☐ Communication expectations
The Bottom Line
The holidays are busy enough without childcare misunderstandings adding to the stress. Clear expectations, thoughtful communication, and mutual respect can help families and nannies head into the season feeling prepared and supported.
The goal isn't to plan for every possible scenario—it's to make sure everyone knows what to expect and feels comfortable speaking up when something changes.
Looking for Holiday Childcare Support?
Whether you need a long-term nanny, temporary childcare, or additional support during a particularly busy season, Nounou Nanny can help you find the right fit for your family.
Contact Nounou Nanny to learn more about our nanny placement and temporary childcare services.
