Any Florida parent who has taken small kids on a “relaxing” trip knows how it goes: you land at eleven at night. Your toddler skipped their nap, the pram came out at the wrong carousel, and the villa you booked has a pool with no fence. Some break. Plenty of parents bring exactly this mess to a Miami nanny agency, and they usually walk out with the same advice: bring a travel nanny!
For vegan families, there can be a few extra things to think about, too. Will there be suitable food for the children? Can you find meals without animal products in an unfamiliar destination? And will the person helping with your kids understand and respect your family's choices? The right travel nanny can make a real difference, helping you manage the practical details so you can enjoy your holiday.
A travel nanny is just a nanny who comes along: hotel suite, rented villa, a boat, a ski chalet, an airport gate at six in the morning, it makes no difference to them. Your kids still go to bed at their normal time and still get the same snack rules. The only thing that changes is what they see out the window.
Parents book one for beach weeks, ski trips, long flights, and summers at the second home. How much help you want depends on how old your kids are and how often you're away. Most have a childcare background and first aid training. The ones worth hiring are also easygoing, and they can tell when you'd like help and when you'd rather just do it yourself.
For vegans, it's also worth discussing food, activities and household routines before you travel. A nanny doesn't necessarily have to be vegan themselves, but they should be willing to respect your family's choices and follow your instructions about meals, snacks and products used around your children. Agreeing on these details beforehand helps everyone feel comfortable.
Kids fall apart when the day has no shape. A travel nanny keeps naps, meals and bedtime roughly where they were at home, even if you've crossed six time zones. Dinner out gets easier. So do the nights. They can also help maintain familiar vegan mealtimes and snacks, so your children have something suitable to eat even when local dining options are unfamiliar.
Prams, car seats, medication, the one stuffed rabbit that cannot be left behind. A nanny who has done this a lot packs from a checklist and deals with the gear at the airport, so you can walk through security with your hands free for once. For vegan families, that checklist might also include familiar snacks, plant-based milk if needed, and a few reliable food options for the journey.
A long dinner, a spa morning, eighteen holes. Plenty of parents say they'd love that and then feel guilty taking it. The guilt fades quickly when you know the kids are fed, safe and having a good time. Knowing that your nanny understands your family's vegan preferences can make it easier to relax, too, rather than worrying about what the children might be offered while you're away.
A good one does more than keep an eye on the kids. They might set up a treasure hunt on the beach, make up a game in the pool, or take them to a museum a five-year-old will actually like instead of one built for a teenager. If your family avoids attractions involving animal exploitation, explain your preferences in advance so the nanny can help find enjoyable alternatives, from nature walks to creative workshops and child-friendly cultural activities.
Put a baby, a toddler and a school-age kid on one trip and you've got three kinds of care going at once. A nanny with experience can juggle nap times and snack demands without losing track of anyone, and they still make time alone with each child. They can also help keep age-appropriate vegan snacks available, taking account of any allergies, dietary requirements and foods your children already enjoy.
Balcony railings, pools with no fence, open water. When you get there, your nanny can walk through the place with you, help establish a few ground rules and find the closest clinic. They should also keep your emergency numbers with them. If your children have particular dietary needs or allergies, make sure the nanny knows what to do in an emergency and has the relevant information readily available.
Many Palm Beach families begin with a short conversation about their travel calendar, and you can see how nanny matching works before you commit to anything.
You'll want to know they're okay. A good nanny sends photos and quick notes about meals and sleep, and they'll ask about your preferences before you leave so nothing catches anyone off guard. For vegans, this is a good opportunity to agree on how meals will be handled, which foods are suitable, and what to do if a restaurant or food provider cannot confirm its ingredients.
Not every good nanny is a good travel nanny. You want someone who stays calm when a flight gets cancelled and doesn't mind a strange bed. Ask about trips they've done and how old the kids were. Check their passport, their CPR and first aid certification, and run a background check. Call at least two past families and ask specifically about travel days, because that's where people differ. Let your kids meet them before you leave. And if you can manage it, try a weekend away first. It tells you more than any interview will.
Vegan families should also talk openly about food and values during the interview. A nanny doesn't have to follow a plant-based lifestyle personally, but they should be comfortable preparing or serving the food you provide, following your instructions and helping your children make suitable choices when eating out. Ask how they would handle an unfamiliar menu, check ingredients or communicate your requirements to restaurant staff. Their willingness to learn and respect your boundaries matters more than whether they already know every detail of vegan living.
Before anyone books a flight, write down the basics: hours and breaks on travel days, days off, their own room and meals, who pays for travel and how travel days are paid, and whether they can get medical care for the kids if you can't be reached. It feels a bit formal. It also saves you an awkward conversation halfway through the trip, and it shows them you respect their time.
For vegan families, it can also help to clarify food arrangements. Will the family provide meals and snacks for the nanny? Are they expected to prepare vegan meals for the children? Will they need to research restaurants or help communicate dietary requirements while travelling? Being clear about responsibilities avoids misunderstandings and gives everyone a better idea of what to expect.
Finding someone who is caring and also travel-ready is slow work. An agency screens candidates, checks references and matches personalities, so you meet a handful of real possibilities instead of reading hundreds of resumes. A decent one sticks around afterward too. New baby, second home, a different travel pattern: they can adjust. Privacy matters if your family is in the public eye, and a reputable agency will talk about confidentiality at the start instead of as an afterthought.
When choosing an agency, vegan families can explain their needs from the beginning and ask whether candidates are comfortable working with vegan households. This doesn't mean you need to find a nanny who shares every belief you hold. What's important is finding someone who respects your family's choices, understands your expectations around food and activities, and is happy to help your children follow their usual routines while you're away.
It's the hardest day, so plan for it. Keep a small carry-on with snacks, wipes, a change of clothes and a favourite toy. Send your nanny the full itinerary early. Decide who holds the passports and who has the kids at security. Don't schedule anything big for the day you arrive. And keep emergency contacts and medical notes printed in one bag, because phones die.
If you're travelling as a vegan family, pack enough familiar snacks to cover delays and unexpected changes. Airport food and food available during long journeys can be unpredictable, especially when you're travelling with young children. Research a few suitable options at your departure airport and destination, and share any important dietary information with your nanny before you leave. If you rely on particular foods for your children's routine, don't assume they'll be easy to find when you arrive.
So what does a travel nanny actually do?
A travel nanny is just a nanny who comes along: hotel suite, rented villa, a boat, a ski chalet, an airport gate at six in the morning, it makes no difference to them. Your kids still go to bed at their normal time and still get the same snack rules. The only thing that changes is what they see out the window.
Parents book one for beach weeks, ski trips, long flights, and summers at the second home. How much help you want depends on how old your kids are and how often you're away. Most have a childcare background and first aid training. The ones worth hiring are also easygoing, and they can tell when you'd like help and when you'd rather just do it yourself.
For vegans, it's also worth discussing food, activities and household routines before you travel. A nanny doesn't necessarily have to be vegan themselves, but they should be willing to respect your family's choices and follow your instructions about meals, snacks and products used around your children. Agreeing on these details beforehand helps everyone feel comfortable.
Where they earn their keep
Routine
Kids fall apart when the day has no shape. A travel nanny keeps naps, meals and bedtime roughly where they were at home, even if you've crossed six time zones. Dinner out gets easier. So do the nights. They can also help maintain familiar vegan mealtimes and snacks, so your children have something suitable to eat even when local dining options are unfamiliar.
The logistics nobody enjoys
Prams, car seats, medication, the one stuffed rabbit that cannot be left behind. A nanny who has done this a lot packs from a checklist and deals with the gear at the airport, so you can walk through security with your hands free for once. For vegan families, that checklist might also include familiar snacks, plant-based milk if needed, and a few reliable food options for the journey.
Time that's actually yours
A long dinner, a spa morning, eighteen holes. Plenty of parents say they'd love that and then feel guilty taking it. The guilt fades quickly when you know the kids are fed, safe and having a good time. Knowing that your nanny understands your family's vegan preferences can make it easier to relax, too, rather than worrying about what the children might be offered while you're away.
Things to do
A good one does more than keep an eye on the kids. They might set up a treasure hunt on the beach, make up a game in the pool, or take them to a museum a five-year-old will actually like instead of one built for a teenager. If your family avoids attractions involving animal exploitation, explain your preferences in advance so the nanny can help find enjoyable alternatives, from nature walks to creative workshops and child-friendly cultural activities.
Kids of different ages
Put a baby, a toddler and a school-age kid on one trip and you've got three kinds of care going at once. A nanny with experience can juggle nap times and snack demands without losing track of anyone, and they still make time alone with each child. They can also help keep age-appropriate vegan snacks available, taking account of any allergies, dietary requirements and foods your children already enjoy.
Safety somewhere new
Balcony railings, pools with no fence, open water. When you get there, your nanny can walk through the place with you, help establish a few ground rules and find the closest clinic. They should also keep your emergency numbers with them. If your children have particular dietary needs or allergies, make sure the nanny knows what to do in an emergency and has the relevant information readily available.
Many Palm Beach families begin with a short conversation about their travel calendar, and you can see how nanny matching works before you commit to anything.
Updates
You'll want to know they're okay. A good nanny sends photos and quick notes about meals and sleep, and they'll ask about your preferences before you leave so nothing catches anyone off guard. For vegans, this is a good opportunity to agree on how meals will be handled, which foods are suitable, and what to do if a restaurant or food provider cannot confirm its ingredients.
Picking the right one
Not every good nanny is a good travel nanny. You want someone who stays calm when a flight gets cancelled and doesn't mind a strange bed. Ask about trips they've done and how old the kids were. Check their passport, their CPR and first aid certification, and run a background check. Call at least two past families and ask specifically about travel days, because that's where people differ. Let your kids meet them before you leave. And if you can manage it, try a weekend away first. It tells you more than any interview will.
Vegan families should also talk openly about food and values during the interview. A nanny doesn't have to follow a plant-based lifestyle personally, but they should be comfortable preparing or serving the food you provide, following your instructions and helping your children make suitable choices when eating out. Ask how they would handle an unfamiliar menu, check ingredients or communicate your requirements to restaurant staff. Their willingness to learn and respect your boundaries matters more than whether they already know every detail of vegan living.
Get it in writing
Before anyone books a flight, write down the basics: hours and breaks on travel days, days off, their own room and meals, who pays for travel and how travel days are paid, and whether they can get medical care for the kids if you can't be reached. It feels a bit formal. It also saves you an awkward conversation halfway through the trip, and it shows them you respect their time.
For vegan families, it can also help to clarify food arrangements. Will the family provide meals and snacks for the nanny? Are they expected to prepare vegan meals for the children? Will they need to research restaurants or help communicate dietary requirements while travelling? Being clear about responsibilities avoids misunderstandings and gives everyone a better idea of what to expect.
Why an agency makes this easier
Finding someone who is caring and also travel-ready is slow work. An agency screens candidates, checks references and matches personalities, so you meet a handful of real possibilities instead of reading hundreds of resumes. A decent one sticks around afterward too. New baby, second home, a different travel pattern: they can adjust. Privacy matters if your family is in the public eye, and a reputable agency will talk about confidentiality at the start instead of as an afterthought.
When choosing an agency, vegan families can explain their needs from the beginning and ask whether candidates are comfortable working with vegan households. This doesn't mean you need to find a nanny who shares every belief you hold. What's important is finding someone who respects your family's choices, understands your expectations around food and activities, and is happy to help your children follow their usual routines while you're away.
Travel day, specifically
It's the hardest day, so plan for it. Keep a small carry-on with snacks, wipes, a change of clothes and a favourite toy. Send your nanny the full itinerary early. Decide who holds the passports and who has the kids at security. Don't schedule anything big for the day you arrive. And keep emergency contacts and medical notes printed in one bag, because phones die.
If you're travelling as a vegan family, pack enough familiar snacks to cover delays and unexpected changes. Airport food and food available during long journeys can be unpredictable, especially when you're travelling with young children. Research a few suitable options at your departure airport and destination, and share any important dietary information with your nanny before you leave. If you rely on particular foods for your children's routine, don't assume they'll be easy to find when you arrive.
Once you're at your destination, a travel nanny can help you work out where to find vegan-friendly restaurants, supermarkets and local dishes that are suitable for your family. In places where vegan options are less familiar, they might help you communicate with restaurant staff or look for dishes that can be prepared without meat, fish, dairy, eggs or other animal-derived ingredients. Always confirm ingredients and preparation methods where necessary, especially if allergies are involved.
Start by working out what your family needs from the trip, then look for someone who suits your pace. Honestly, that's most of it.
A regular nanny works in your home on a set schedule. A travel nanny is with you on the road, often for long days, and has to roll with changing plans. For vegan families, they may also help maintain familiar food routines and support you in finding suitable meals and snacks while you're away.
As early as you can, especially around holidays and school breaks. You'll want time to interview, check references and do a trial outing. Starting early also gives you time to discuss vegan food requirements, research your destination and make sure your nanny understands your family's expectations.
Yes, if at all possible. They'll do a better job after a proper night's sleep. Confirm the sleeping arrangements before you book.
No, not necessarily. A nanny can have their own dietary choices and still work well with a vegan family. What's important is that they respect your preferences, follow your instructions about your children's meals and activities, and are willing to help you navigate vegan options while travelling.
We'd strongly recommend one.
(Photo credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen)
Start by working out what your family needs from the trip, then look for someone who suits your pace. Honestly, that's most of it.
Quick questions
How is a travel nanny different from a regular nanny?
A regular nanny works in your home on a set schedule. A travel nanny is with you on the road, often for long days, and has to roll with changing plans. For vegan families, they may also help maintain familiar food routines and support you in finding suitable meals and snacks while you're away.
How early should I start?
As early as you can, especially around holidays and school breaks. You'll want time to interview, check references and do a trial outing. Starting early also gives you time to discuss vegan food requirements, research your destination and make sure your nanny understands your family's expectations.
Does a travel nanny need their own room?
Yes, if at all possible. They'll do a better job after a proper night's sleep. Confirm the sleeping arrangements before you book.
Does a travel nanny need to be vegan?
No, not necessarily. A nanny can have their own dietary choices and still work well with a vegan family. What's important is that they respect your preferences, follow your instructions about your children's meals and activities, and are willing to help you navigate vegan options while travelling.
Do I need a written agreement?
We'd strongly recommend one.
(Photo credit: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen)
