Working on holidays as a nanny
The holidays can be a joyful, sparkling time of year, full of tradition, celebration, and cozy memories. But for many nannies, they can also mean something a little different: working on Christmas morning, helping children get ready for Thanksgiving dinner, or spending the Fourth of July with a nanny family instead of your own. Whether this is your first year working a holiday or it’s familiar territory, it helps to know what’s typical, what’s fair, and how to make the day meaningful for everyone – including you.
Are you expected to work holidays?
In most nanny contracts, especially for full-time nannies, federal holidays are treated as paid days off, unless otherwise stated. That includes days like:
Christmas Day
Thanksgiving
New Year’s Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Memorial Day
However, some families, especially in more high-profile jobs, may still need or request care on those days. Some reasons a nanny might be asked to work a holiday include:
parents working
extended family visiting and needing backup support
maintaining routine for neurodivergent children
holiday travel
parents participating in religious or cultural observances
Every family operates differently, and we always emphasize that holiday expectations should be discussed well in advance. If it isn’t written clearly into your contract, it’s important to clarify rather than assume.
For more guidance on discussing time off during the holidays, read our nanny guide to holiday time off.
Compensation
Typically, if you have the day off, it would be paid as a regular day. If, however, you are working a holiday, the compensation should reflect that. Across the nanny industry, being paid 1.5x your usual hourly rate is standard.
Holiday work is paid at a premium rate – typically 1.5x your usual hourly rate or more.
Even if you are close with your nanny family, even if you are invited to share a meal, and even if the day feels warm and festive: you are still working, and should still be compensated as such. Professionalism and kindness are not opposites; they go hand in hand.
What’s it like working a holiday?
Working a holiday doesn’t have to feel like you’re missing out on your own celebrations. In fact, we’ve heard from many nannies in our network that it can be surprisingly sweet, meaningful, and memorable.
Some families include their nanny in their traditions – decorating cookies, lighting candles, opening stockings, or watching a parade on TV. You may spend part of the day with the whole household together, and part of it one-on-one with the kids. One Smart Sitting nanny even told us her long-time family asked her to include one of her favorite traditions in their yearly celebrations!
In other families, you may be caring for the children while the parents cook, host, or entertain guests. Navigating a balance between being helpful and there while also giving the family space to celebrate their holiday is key. You’re the one making their dream holiday possible! See if you can take the kids out of the house during preparations, or give the family space during their private moments but stay ready to jump in at the first sign of meltdown or naptime.
If you are alone with the children because parents are away or occupied, you may be the one creating the day’s magic: snuggly pajamas, hot chocolate, twinkle lights, or even a “mini celebration” just for fun. Check in with the parents beforehand to see what they might like you to do or if it’s up to you.
Remember, not all families will be celebrating holidays that you may take for granted, especially when there are religious or cultural differences. Always be respectful of the household.
And remember:
You’re allowed to enjoy yourself, too! Once you’re off the clock, make the most of the rest of the day.
Is your work schedule keeping you from going to see family? Share a meal or open presents over FaceTime once you get back home.
You can also make the most of your off hours with a mini celebration that really brings out your favorite parts of the holiday. Is it the food, a favorite holiday movie, a long bubble bath? Treat yourself, you’ve earned it!
Traveling during the holidays
Some nannies may be working the holiday because of a trip with the family. Traveling with a family can be a great way to get paid for adventure, but here, too, it’s important to find the ideal balance for the family to celebrate their holidays together vs. being helpful by taking over childcare duties. Our best advice here is to communicate about their expectations up front, well before the trip happens. What expectations do they have on your during the actual holiday day? Are you celebrating with them or helping out around their celebration time?
If the holiday is important to you personally, try to carve out some alone-time during your off-hours. Why not have a mini-celebration on your own? Or if you’re in some fantastic destination, make the most of it with a lazy beach moment or quick run down the slopes. The time off is yours!
Finding what feels right
Every nanny–family relationship is unique, which means every holiday situation is too. The best way to protect your time, your energy, and your expectations is to have a nanny job contract and make sure it clearly states expectations around holidays.
Your nanny contract should include:
whether holidays are worked or off
what counts as a holiday
pay rates for holiday work
expectations for travel
how far in advance schedules are confirmed
If a holiday is important to you, communicate that early. If you enjoy celebrating with your nanny family, that can be a beautiful part of the relationship. Just make sure your compensation still reflects that you are working.
There is no single “right” way to be a professional nanny during the holidays, only the one that honors both your role and the fact that you are a human outside of your role.
Need more guidance? Want a professional nanny job that values your expertise and contributions to a family? Join us here at Smart Sitting! We’ve been making personal matches between caregivers and families for over 15 years (and 15 holiday seasons!). By getting to know you, we can find a position that truly suits you. Now that’s some holiday magic!