Travelling with a Nanny to Ibiza or Marbella: how to prepare

A summer in Ibiza or Marbella promises long days outdoors, time together and often guests around the table. For many families, their regular Nanny is simply part of that picture. She knows the children, their habits and their limits, and that brings calm to a place where so much else is new. Even so, a trip with your Nanny calls for different preparation from an ordinary working week at home.

In this blog we set out what to think about: from planning ahead to routines on location and the arrangements you would rather make before you leave than on the terrace.

The sooner you involve your Nanny in your summer plans, the better she can prepare. Discuss the dates, the destination and who is coming well in advance. Are the grandparents joining you, are friends coming to stay, or is one parent flying out later? That shapes what the days will look like and what you will expect of your Nanny.

• Share the travel dates as early as possible, so she can plan her own commitments around them.
• Check together that her travel documents are valid for the whole period.
• Make a packing list for the children, with familiar cuddly toys, books and games for the journey.
• Gather the children's medical details and find out where the nearest doctor or clinic is.
• Agree who arranges the Nanny's flight, local transport and accommodation.

Children thrive on familiarity, on holiday too. A Nanny through TFA keeps regular sleep and meal times and plans activities that suit the children's ages. That does not mean everything has to stay exactly as it is at home. A later bedtime or an extra afternoon in the pool is part of summer. What matters is that the children know where they stand.

In a hot climate, consider a daily rhythm that moves with the temperature: active outdoors in the morning and late afternoon, quiet indoors during the hottest part of the day. Discuss your house rules for the pool, the beach and the boat beforehand as well. Our Nannies hold a first aid certificate for children and babies, but clear agreements about supervision near water remain essential.

On holiday, the line between work and free time blurs quickly. Your Nanny joins you for breakfast, comes along to the beach and is nearby when the children wake in the night. That is exactly why it is wise to agree clearly beforehand when she is working and when she is not. A Nanny through TFA is employed by the family, with a contract for a fixed number of hours and an entitlement to annual leave. Your holiday arrangements should fit within that.

• Which hours does she work each day, and what happens on evenings when you go out for dinner?
• On which days or parts of the day is she free?
• How do you agree on extra hours, for example when guests arrive?
• How are travel days counted?
• What do you expect when she spends her free time in or around the house?

Ideally, put these arrangements in writing. It prevents misunderstandings and gives your Nanny room to recharge, so she can be there for the children with the same energy throughout the stay.

Where will your Nanny stay? Some families have a guest house or a separate room with its own bathroom, others rent an apartment nearby. Whichever option suits you, a space of her own to retreat to makes a real difference. Agree, too, how meals will work, whether she can use a car and how she will get around in her free time.

Many well known families spend their summers in Ibiza and Marbella, and privacy there is no small matter. Discretion is one of our three core values. Our Nannies are trained to work professionally and with restraint, including in the company of guests. Do feel free to discuss what you would and would not like to see shared, for example on social media.

Not every family brings their own Nanny. If you spend a large part of the year in Spain, a permanent Nanny on location who knows the house and your rhythm may suit you better. And if there is a great deal to arrange besides the children, such as a house that needs to be ready, guests and other staff, a Family Assistant can be the answer. On our page about a Nanny or Family Assistant in Ibiza and Marbella you can read how we think along with you.

We select every candidate personally and screen them on, among other things, at least two references, a certificate of conduct (VOG), qualifications and first aid. Within six weeks of confirming your search, you receive the CVs of suitable candidates. Interviews, a joint evaluation and a trial day follow. If you would like someone who already knows the children well by next summer, start in good time. Read more about finding a Nanny through TFA or get in touch with us, without any obligation.