Summer Nanny

A Nanny who cares for children while children are out of school, specifically during the summer months.

The Role of a Summer Nanny

A Summer Nanny is an experienced caregiver, supervisor and activity planner for a family with young children, specifically when school is out of session during the summer months.

A Summer Nanny is typically employed from June through September, but may start earlier or end later based on a child’s academic schedule. This role is based in a principal’s home, summer house or vacation destination, and is responsible for providing care, supervision and fun experiences to children while school is out of session.

A Summer Nanny’s responsibilities include ensuring the safety and well-being of the child(ren), providing a consistent routine throughout the summer, organizing creative and educational activities and games, helping with summer school work or projects, communicating regularly with parents and reporting any issues or concerns, providing emotional support and companionship, assisting with hobbies and interests, managing other care providers, shopping and running errands for the family and taking care of household and personal matters as they arise.

A successful Summer Nanny will have strong communication skills, interacting with children in a positive and meaningful way. They should be highly flexible, adaptable and enthusiastic, enabling the child(ren) and family to enjoy their summer to the fullest.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Depending on a family’s needs, a Summer Nanny will have either completed their secondary education or obtained a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree. A Bachelor’s degree is typically a requirement if educating or tutoring children is a requirement of the role. If so, education is often focused on childhood development, education, psychology, social services or core subjects such as English, Social or Natural Sciences.

Experienced Summer Nannies will have at least 3 years’ experience in childcare, education or family assistance, either in a childcare facility, household or school setting. Depending on the specific needs of a family, experience in a specific area may also be required, such as cooking, personal service, management of other childcare staff, etc.

Note: A Summer Nanny does not necessarily need prior experience as a Nanny. In fact, many of the best Summer Nannies come from other caregiving positions, like a Companion, Family Assistant, primary caregiver, etc. Similarly, because this role deals more with general (compared to specific) experience, recent graduates or those who are at the beginning (or a transition stage) of their career often make an exceptional Nanny.

SKILLS

Depending on a family’s needs, a Summer Nanny may be required to possess certain skills, like a second language, experience tutoring or teaching children, caring for children with developmental or physical disabilities, etc.
Summer Nannies should be calm and collected, friendly and outgoing, creative, patient, warm, loving and kind
Willingness to do light housekeeping or organizing within the home, preparing meals, pet-care or other daily/weekly duties as necessary
Familiarity with technology, including household systems (smart home devices/interfaces, HVAC, security, etc.)

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Professional childcare certifications or licenses are not required, but Summer Nannies are highly encouraged to obtain CPR and first aid certifications. Beyond that, an employer may prefer candidates with certain educational backgrounds, or other skills such as technology proficiency, physical fitness to actively participate in kids’ activities or fluency in a language other than English.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for a Summer Nanny vary depending on the scope of this role (fully childcare vs. split with housekeeping, cooking, tutoring, etc.). However, common duties include:

Planning fun activities for the child(ren), especially outdoor, athletic and educational activities
Providing a consistent daily routine to the child(ren)
Preparing children for the day by helping them with dressing, grooming and personal hygiene
Scheduling appointments on behalf of the children (medical appointments, athletics, tutoring, etc.). Also planning child/family travel and logistics (flights, hotels, car rentals, dining and activities)
Performing various administrative duties on behalf of the children (healthcare, academics, completing forms, researching and executing special projects, etc.)
Making healthy meals and snacks for the children or family according to their dietary preferences and restrictions
Performing light housekeeping or household chores, especially child-related, or errands as needed by the family
Organizing creative and educational activities and games for the children
Communicating regularly with parents and reporting any issues or concerns

ATTRIBUTES

Characteristics of a successful Summer Nanny include:

Creativity & Adaptability

A Summer Nanny’s role is unique among other Nanny roles in that they are responsible for the child(ren) without the structure of school. As such, the most successful Summer Nannies are those who are naturally able to come up with fun new activities and ways to play. These activities should be based on the interests of the child(ren), which requires the Nanny to be flexible and accommodating, especially in cases with multiple children with varying interests.

Warm and nurturing personality

A Summer Nanny’s character and disposition is by far the most important quality, since interacting with a providing a positive and healthy environment is paramount in this role. A Summer Nanny with a nurturing personality can foster the emotional, social and cognitive development of children by providing them with love, support and guidance. They can also help children cope with challenges and frustrations by being empathetic and understanding.

Interpersonal communication

A Summer Nanny should be able to adapt their communication style to different situations and audiences, whether they’re interacting with other children, family members, family friends, other caregivers, coaches, teachers, etc. He or she should have a high-degree of emotional intelligence, be able to communicate clearly and concisely, be an active listener and be able to express empathy and respect at all times.

Safety-conscious and responsible attitude

A Summer Nanny should take full responsibility and accountability for their actions and decisions. He or she should be able to work independently and proactively, take initiative and ownership of their relationship with the children, and to always ensure they are acting in a safe and responsible manner. He or she should demonstrate integrity in every interaction with the child(ren) and keep the parents informed at all times of negative behaviors or issues that arise in their interactions with the child(ren).

COMPENSATION

Compensation for a Summer Nanny varies based on the length of the position, whether it is live-in or live-out and required hours each week. Pay for a Summer Nanny is typically between $1,500-3,000 per week. Components of a Nanny’s compensation include:

Weekly pay

A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. A Summer Nanny’s weekly pay varies depending on the number of children being cared for, travel and live-in vs. live-out requirements, specific education or experience requirements, as well as the experience and qualifications of the Nanny.

Completion Bonus

Compensation for a Summer Nanny typically includes a Completion Bonus, which is a bonus that is paid out if an employee completes the term of employment as agreed upon at the time of hire. The benefit of this type of bonus is two-fold: it discourages staff from leaving before the end of the term, which causes an unexpected and difficult situation for the family, and it incentivizes staff to remain dedicated, loyal and enthusiastic about their position until the end of their employment.

Living expenses

A family may prefer that their Nanny lives in with them, either at their residence, at an adjoining accommodation on their property or within certain proximity of their residence. Reasons for this include the need for this person to be available off-hours, the importance of proximity to the residence or principal due to various duties associated with the role (e.g., waking children up, caring for pets, etc.) or because the residence is located in a remote area. If a principal requires any of these living situations of their Summer Nanny, housing and/or moving expenses are expected to be included in the employee’s compensation package.

STANDARD BENEFITS

Because this is a temporary position, a full benefits package is not expected in this role. However, top-tier Summer Nannies may expect expenses that are typically covered in a benefits package to be included in their overall compensation package in the form of a stipend or increased base compensation. Examples of these expenses include:

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Employers are responsible for expenses incurred when travelling for work or while transporting children. A family car may be provided for regular transportation, or expenses may be reimbursed or covered by a travel allowance or budget. If domestic or international travel is required for employment, accommodations, meals and miscellaneous expenses should also be covered by the employer.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Casual work attire
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

A Summer Nanny generally reports:

To a House or Estate Manager
Directly to the principal(s)
To another contact designated by the principal (e.g., Director of Operations or Administration of a family office, a principal’s Chief of Staff, etc.)

If other nannies, tutors, coaches, etc. are involved in the child(ren)’s care, a Nanny may be responsible for regularly interacting with or managing additional personnel.

Have Questions?

Engage, Educate, Enrich

A Summer Nanny is dedicated to providing engaging, age-appropriate activities for your child while ensuring safety and structure during the summer months. From outdoor adventures to helping with summer schoolwork, they create a balance of fun and learning. With a Summer Nanny, your child enjoys a fulfilling, well-rounded summer experience while you enjoy peace of mind.

Looking for great childcare this summer? Let us connect you with a Summer Nanny who will enrich your child’s summer and enable them to have fun and create lasting memories.

“We place Summer Nannies who bring fun, education, and adventure to your child’s summer days. They create an enriching environment, blending learning with play to keep your child engaged all season long.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

A Summer of Fun & Adventure

Why You Should Consider a Summer Nanny

A Summer Nanny brings structure and joy to your child’s summer days, offering tailored activities that balance fun and learning. They provide both entertainment and educational experiences, ensuring that each day is filled with enrichment. A Summer Nanny can help:

Plan and engage in creative, educational activities
Ensure your child has a safe, well-organized summer
Provide assistance with summer schoolwork or projects
Plan outings and adventures for your child
Offer a nurturing, reliable presence throughout the summer months

Hiring a Summer Nanny will ensure your child’s summer is filled with enriching activities, adventure, and care, and provide you with peace of mind that they are in good hands, all summer long.