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With school out and routines up in the air, summer can feel like a logistical puzzle for working parents. One solution is hiring a summer nanny, who can provide structure, flexibility and — most of all — peace of mind for parents.
“The biggest benefit of hiring a summer nanny is providing consistent coverage and routine during the summer months, which can feel unpredictable for working parents,” says Bayly Silverman, founder of Your Happy Nest and a board member of the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies.
Beyond dependability, a summer nanny can help kids stay engaged, active and supported all summer long.
Thinking of hiring a summer nanny? Here are the built-in benefits to consider.
Key takeaways
- A summer nanny brings much-needed structure and consistent coverage during months when school schedules disappear, helping working parents avoid patchwork childcare. With flexible hours and personalized routines, families can better match care to their specific needs.
- Beyond basic supervision, summer nannies keep kids active, engaged and off screens with outings, activities and hands-on support. They can also help with transportation, appointments and even travel, making day-to-day logistics significantly easier.
- Hiring a summer nanny offers trusted, reliable care without the long-term financial commitment of a year-round hire. It’s a practical, short-term solution for families who want stability and support during the busiest months of the year.
What is a summer nanny?
Unlike a nanny who works year-round, summer nannies are brought on during the months of June, July and August, explains Lydia Thibodeau, founder of Sommet Nannies in Boston.
“They’re child care professionals who are hired specifically to support families through the summer months while children are out of school,” she notes.
What are some of the benefits of hiring a summer nanny?
While there are a number of child care options for parents to consider when school’s out, here are the benefits unique to summer nannies, per Thibodeau and Silverman:
Consistent coverage
Structure and routine often fall to the wayside during the summer and having a nanny provides constant care while parents are at work, notes Silverman.
Put another way: There’s no piecemealing coverage together or wondering what the kids will do all day when you have a summer nanny.
“A summer nanny can give your kids an exciting summer by taking them to the pool, playgrounds, museums, libraries and other outings to keep them active, engaged and off screens.”
— Bayly Silverman, nanny expert and agency founder
Longer coverage
For parents that work longer hours (or, in some cases, even until 5 p.m.), day camp may not cut it in terms of coverage, says Silverman, noting: “Many summer camps don’t cover a full work day.”
With a summer nanny, you can make a schedule that’s unique to your family’s needs.
Flexibility
Your child needs to go to the dentist for a check-up, but the only availability they have is noon — your nanny is on it. Unlike with camps, which are off-site and have a set schedule, summer nannies provide both structure and flexibility and wiggle room. (Read: kids can have playdates, activities and appointments with their child care.)
Additionally, on occasion, summer nannies can come early or stay late for fluctuating schedules or even date nights.
Travel and transportation support
Summer nannies can be a big help on vacation and with driving, notes Thibodeau, who says: “Families can really benefit from the support of summer nannies if they have a trip planned that the nanny can accompany them on or if their children have camps or activities they need safe and consistent transportation to and from.”
Varied activities
Another benefit of having a summer nanny: They’re fun.
“A summer nanny can give your kids an exciting summer by taking them to the pool, playgrounds, museums, libraries and other outings to keep them active, engaged and off screens,” says Silverman.
Reliable care without the commitment
Whether you’ve considered hiring a nanny but didn’t want to commit (or spend the money), a summer nanny is a great, short-term commitment.
“Hiring a summer nanny allows you the reliable and trusted care that you expect for your children, without committing to a full year’s salary if a long-term nanny is not what meets the needs of your family,” says Thibodeau.
Read more:
Cost of hiring a summer nanny
According to the 2026 Care.com Cost of Care Survey, parents posted rates for nannies that average $870 a week for one child, which would equate to $21.75 per hour for a total of 40-hours per week.
That said, parents may need to budget for additional costs depending on their needs — such as increased hours, schedule flexibility or extra responsibilities — so it’s important to discuss these factors upfront and outline them clearly in the contract.
Another factor that will influence what you pay: location.
Current posted nanny rates for top U.S. cities*
Here are some examples of posted nanny rates by location, according to recent Care.com data.
| City, State | Hourly Nanny Rate |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $22.05 |
| Brooklyn, New York | $24.76 |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $21.14 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $22.52 |
| Denver, Colorado | $23.91 |
| Houston, Texas | $20.14 |
| Orlando, Florida | $19.90 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $21.93 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $21.34 |
| Portland, Oregon | $23.12 |
| San Antonio, Texas | $18.71 |
| San Diego, California | $24.02 |
| San Francisco, California | $29.66 |
| Seattle, Washington | $27.15 |
| Tampa, Florida | $20.41 |
| Washington, DC | $23.05 |
*Based on average posted starting rates from nannies listed on Care.com, as of April 13, 2026.
Where can parents find summer nannies?
Here are a few places parents can look for summer nannies:
- Online platforms and websites.
- Agencies.
- Social media parenting groups.
- Word of mouth.
- Colleges and universities.
“Often summer nannies are college students who are also off from school during the summer months,” Silverman notes. “Families can often connect with a summer nanny through local university job boards.”
How can parents find the best fit for their family?
Finding the best fit for your family starts long before making an offer. In addition to starting your search early (June is often too late), Silverman says it’s important to first determine exactly the type of care you’re seeking.
“Consider the summer activities you want your children to do, and find a nanny who enjoys those same activities,” she says. “If you need additional household support, such as laundry, meal prep or running errands, communicate this during the interview process to ensure your nanny is comfortable balancing those tasks with child care.”
To get the most out of the nanny interview process, check out:
A final note on the benefits of hiring a summer nanny
Summer nannies are a great option for busy families, as they provide structure with flexibility and help fill in the gaps that come from school being out.
“Typically, parents can piece child care together when their children are in school for the majority of the day,” Thibodeau says. “In the summer, it’s more challenging, which is where a summer nanny can be a great choice.”
