Because Summer Isn’t a Break for Parents: How a Summer Nanny Can Help You Reclaim the Season
Summer’s on the horizon, and you’re picturing pooltime, lazy evening BBQs, and maybe—if the stars align—a family vacation where everyone magically gets along (hey, a parent can dream, right?). But behind the sunny daydream is a more complicated reality: for many families, summer is less carefree and more of a calendar-filling, childcare-scrambling conundrum.
Summer camp spots go faster than Taylor Swift tickets with registration kicking off as early as January and price tags soaring into the hundreds (yes, that’s per week) for limited hours. So what’s a parent to do when school’s out, work’s still on and the childcare options feel like a very expensive mirage?
Many families turn to a summer nanny. Summer nannies help families bridge the childcare gap during the summer months. Here we’ll break down what summer nannies actually do, what they cost and why a nanny for the summer might just be your secret to a smoother, saner, and more fun-filled summer.
What Is a Summer Nanny
A summer nanny is typically employed only in the summer months, generally Memorial Day through Labor Day to help families bridge the childcare gap during summer when school is out. A summer nanny can be part-time, full-time and live-in or live-out, depending on your needs. Summer nannies can also travel with your family—just remember to work on core benefits, pay and expectations in advance of any trip.
Benefits of a Nanny for the Summer Months
This temporary childcare provider is a lifeline for many parents (especially those working parents) who need support with camp pick-ups and drop-offs, extra curricular activities or summer school help. In many ways, a summer nanny takes on the same duties as a non-summer nanny, ensuring the kids are happy, safe and engaged. Parents may task a summer nanny with trips to the pool, beach or playground, depending on the age of kids and credentials of the nanny.
Remember that for many children, summer can be an exciting and fun-filled time, but also lack the structure they’re used to during the school year. If you’re finding your kids are having challenges adjusting to the new school or pushing boundaries, we have a great resource on how to create a consistent discipline strategy between parents and nannies.
Who Exactly Needs a Summer Nanny
It’s not only working parents who benefit from a summer nanny. Did you know stay-at-home moms also benefit from childcare support, too? Whether you’re employed full-time, part-time or taking a “power pause”, a summer nanny can help support the mental and physical load of parenting.
The truth is that summer schedules can be a total puzzle. If your child is of summer camp age, you’re aware that camps have a variety of hours, with some only offering half-day options and others offering “full day” camps that end at 3:30pm. The school year brings predictability, while summer can be the opposite. Having a summer nanny can help many parents in all stages adapt to this change in schedules with ease, allowing their families to navigate summer’s inconsistencies confidently.
How Much Do Summer Nannies Get Paid
Expect to pay summer nannies bi-weekly (or monthly, depending on your contract—and yes, you will want a contract with your summer nanny to ensure you’re both on the same page with salary and job expectations).
every market is so unique I would say that major metropolitan areas come in at a premium or as more rural areas are a bit lower whether it’s a part-time role or a full-time role weighs into that rate as well as weekends or evenings and guaranteed hours I would say safely that $25-$35 per hour is a safe range
A summer nanny’s rate is highly dependent on each market, with hourly rates ranging from $25-$35 or more per hour. Of course, this is dependent on whether you live in a premium or more rural area, special requirements (like weekend or evening hours) and the certifications and qualifications you require of a nanny. If you’re curious about the market rate in your region and want to tap into Hello Nanny!’s recruiting team to help expedite your summer nanny search, fill out this intake form to start your search.
How to Find the Right Summer Nanny—And When to Start Looking
We should suggest you look for a summer nanny in March or April, and no later than May. And, finding the right summer nanny for your family should take the same concerted effort and time as you would with hiring any other nanny or caregiver. Oftentimes during the summer, teachers, college students home for summer break or nannies whose families are traveling are looking for consistent work, so tapping into your local network or a place like Nextdoor can be a good place to start. The recruiting team at Hello Nanny! is always available to help, no matter the season, so if you’re looking to jumpstart your summer nanny search, fill out this quick intake form and we’ll run you through your options and work with you on a realistic plan to get you the support you need over the summer months.
Summer Should Feel Like a Break
Summer may be short (10.5 weeks for my family, but really, who’s counting?!), but the impact of the right childcare support during these months can make a huge difference, for both you and your kids. Whether you’re juggling work calls, competing camp schedules for multiple kids, or just trying to squeeze in a quick family getaway that feels like a vacation, having the right summer nanny can turn a chaotic, stressful season into a more connected one.
And while summer nanny placements are temporary, we don’t believe in transactional care. At Hello Nanny!, we believe in the power of thoughtful matches, clear expectations for both families and nannies, and relationship-first support. Whether you’re hiring for a few months or the long haul, we’re here to help you find someone who fits into your family—not just your calendar.
Summer should feel like a break—let us help you make that a reality.
