Question 1

I would like to request private care during our group event. What is the process?

Accepted Answer

Booking is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Submit the Private Care Reservation Form:
 Please use the private care link located on your group’s landing page to submit your request.   Please note that guests are responsible for paying for private care.

Do not use the general public reservation link at the top of our website.
 We are prioritizing requests for your group, and submitting through the correct link ensures that your reservation is handled appropriately and promptly.

2. Confirmation:
 Once your request is received, our Administrative Team will email you to confirm the details of your private care reservation.

3. Nanny Introduction:
 Your nanny will call you prior to the appointment to introduce herself and will arrive at your specified location at the scheduled time.

Please make sure to review FAQs pertinent to private care (see link on group landing page).

Important Information:

After-Hours Requests:
If you are submitting your reservation outside our normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm), please complete the private care form on your group’s landing page. Our Administrative Team monitors requests for urgent needs and will respond to time-sensitive requests as soon as possible. All others will be addressed once the office reopens.

Question 2

Do I need advance reservations?

Accepted Answer

Advance reservations are highly recommended as our services are often booked well in advance. To ensure a spot on our schedule, please make your reservation as early as possible. However, we do have a number of caregivers on call, and while we cannot guarantee last-minute availability, we strive to accommodate urgent requests. In many cases, we can have a caregiver with you in as little as two hours. If you find yourself in need of last-minute childcare, please give us a call.

Contact Information:
 
Email: Staff@HiltonHeadNannies.com
Phone: (843) 227-3196

Question 3

How far in advance can I book a reservation?

Accepted Answer

We accept in-room childcare reservations up to 12 months in advance.

Question 4

If we book multiple appointments, can we have the same nanny each time?

Accepted Answer

Whenever possible, we strive to schedule the same caregiver for multiple appointments. However, we can only guarantee this if we receive at least 60 days' notice. Due to the dynamic nature of our caregivers' schedules, there may be unforeseen circumstances such as family emergencies, illness, or exposure to illness that require rescheduling. While these situations are beyond our control, we will always do our best to accommodate your request.

Question 5

What is your child to caregiver ratio?

Accepted Answer

The following are our guidelines for child-to-caregiver ratios:

Newborns to 1-year-olds: 2 children to 1 caregiver
2-year-olds to 4-year-olds: 3 children to 1 caregiver
5-year-olds to 7-year-olds: 4 children to 1 caregiver
8-year-olds and up: 5-7 children to 1 caregiver

Our primary goal is to ensure your children's safety. We reserve the right to adjust these guidelines when necessary for their well-being.

Question 6

What is your caregiver screening process?

Accepted Answer

At Hilton Head Nannies, children’s safety and well-being are at the heart of everything we do. That commitment is reflected in our exceptionally thorough screening process, designed to ensure that only the most qualified, trustworthy, and nurturing individuals are selected to join our team.
Every caregiver must:
Complete and score highly on a written skills assessment
Participate in a two-part interview process with senior members of our team
Provide nine detailed references (national average is 2-3)
Demonstrate a strong and verifiable history of working with children
Undergo a comprehensive background screening, which includes:

Social Security Verification Scan
National Criminal Background Check
County-Level Background Checks
National Sex Offender Registry Search

As part of our reference process, each reference is required to complete a written questionnaire that addresses a range of specific topics related to the caregiver’s skills, character, and experience. Every reference is also personally contacted and verified by our team to ensure accuracy and gain deeper insight.

Additionally, Jennie Krogulski, our founder and president, takes a personal role in getting to know each caregiver. Jennie builds a relationship with every team member, ensuring she understands who they are—not just on paper, but as individuals.

Her unwavering commitment to excellence, safety, and professionalism drives every step of the process. You can trust that when a caregiver is referred by Hilton Head Nannies, they’ve been selected with care, intention, and the highest standards in mind.

Question 7

What backgrounds do your nannies and sitters have?

Accepted Answer

Our caregivers come from diverse backgrounds, including students, mothers, grandmothers, teachers, nurses, retired professionals, and career professionals, all united by a genuine love for children. Each caregiver has a strong background in caregiving, ensuring they provide the highest quality of care.

Question 8

How are you different from other services?

Accepted Answer

At Hilton Head Nannies, we pride ourselves on being locally owned and operated. The founder and owner, Jennie, is an active member of the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton community. With decades of experience as a professional career nanny and parent coach, Jennie has invested significantly in families before starting Hilton Head Nannies in 2007.

As the first and only full-service nanny and babysitting agency in the Lowcountry solely dedicated to meeting all childcare needs, we bring over 28 years of experience to the table. Our commitment is to put families first, always striving to be a blessing to those we serve.

Question 9

How old are your nannies & sitters?

Accepted Answer

While most of our nannies are over the age of 22, all of our nannies are at least 18 years old and are mature, energetic professionals.

Question 10

How do your nannies & sitters entertain the children?

Accepted Answer

Our caregivers are dedicated to keeping children engaged and active! They come prepared with a "Nanny Bag" filled with toys, books, games, arts and crafts, and more. Additionally, they make full use of the wonderful amenities available at many hotels and resorts, such as cornhole, table tennis, swimming, sandcastle building, beach walks, and scavenger hunts. Some caregivers are also comfortable riding bikes with the children if bicycles are available or swimming if there is a pool on the property.

Question 11

Are your nannies and sitters CPR & First Aid Certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes! All of our nannies are required to be certified in Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, in addition to having Basic First Aid Training.

Question 12

Policy Regarding Nannies Accompanying Families to Events Without a Separate Children's Room

Accepted Answer

When a nanny is asked to accompany a family to an event—such as a wedding, rehearsal dinner, or any group function—where there is not a separate, dedicated room for the children to remain in for the entire duration of care, the following safety policy applies:

Due to the increased risks associated with such events—including but not limited to lagoons, alligators, open fire pits, swimming pools, beachfronts, and the general crowding and activity level—we require one-on-one care for all children ages 6 and under.

Each nanny may be responsible for one child only in these environments. This requirement applies even if the family intends to share responsibility with the nanny throughout the event. We understand this may impact your planning, but the safety of the children must always take precedence, and this policy is not flexible under any circumstances.

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Question 13

Is it okay for us to use a nanny camera while your caregiver is with our kids?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Our caregivers have signed a contract granting permission for all clients to use a nanny camera, whether or not they inform the caregiver. Additionally, Hilton Head Nannies owns nanny cameras that we rotate among different appointments, with our clients' permission and cooperation, to evaluate caregiver performance. Our caregivers are never informed in advance when it will be "their turn" for evaluation. We believe in using every available tool to ensure the safety of children. Properly used as a preventative measure, nanny cameras are just another way Hilton Head Nannies prioritizes the well-being of children and families.

Question 14

Where will your caregivers provide care?

Accepted Answer

Our caregivers come to you, providing care wherever you are. We work with families in homes, villas, condos, time-shares, hotels, inns, and even at events such as conventions and weddings.

Question 15

Do your caregivers take part in any other training?

Accepted Answer

Yes! To secure a spot on our registry, all of our nannies must participate in periodic training required by our agency. In the spring of 2024, we hosted the "Sandcastle Conference," where nannies received training on various topics, including Professionalism, Understanding Autism, Safeguarding Children/Child Abuse Prevention, Getting Kids Moving: Activities to Expend Energy, and Encouraging Literacy through Planned Activities.

Question 16

How do I identify my caregiver?

Accepted Answer

Our professional caregivers are instructed to have their driver's license ready to show you. Please compare their ID with the name provided in your confirmation email.

Question 17

Required Agency Paperwork

Accepted Answer

Required Forms

We can also send any of these forms via DocuSign in advance if needed—just let us know.

Childcare Release Form:

All parents are required to sign a childcare release form before the caregiver is left with your child. Only parents or legal guardians are permitted to sign this form. If multiple families are involved, a parent for each child must be present to sign before the appointment.

Nanny Service Invoice:

All clients must sign our Nanny Service Invoice at the conclusion of the appointment. To ensure the security of your payment, and at the instruction of our credit card processor, we require all clients to present their driver’s license for verification. This step is necessary because we do not see your physical credit card during the reservation process.

Additional Forms (If Applicable)

Swim Release Form:

Clients who wish for their caregiver to take the children swimming must first sign a swim release form.

Authorization to Release a Child Form:

Clients who wish for their caregiver to release the child/children to another adult must sign a form granting permission. We will only release children to adults (age 18 and over) and will require the individual(s) to show a photo ID. For the safety of the children in our care, no exceptions are made to this policy, even if the individual is staying in the same home or hotel room as the client.

Authorization to Administer Medication Form:

Clients who wish for their caregiver to administer any medication (prescription, over-the-counter, or vitamins/supplements) must complete this form.

No Care Provided Form:

If there are children present for whom a Hilton Head Nannies caregiver is not responsible, the parents must sign a No Care Provided Form. Additionally, no child under the age of 15 may be present without an adult or older teen overseeing their care.

Question 18

What ages do your nannies typically care for?

Accepted Answer

We provide care for newborns through children aged 14. Additionally, we offer support for children and adults with special needs, as well as senior adults who do not require medical care.

Question 19

Will I be able to contact my nanny when she is caring for my children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will! All nannies are required to have working cell phones with them at all times. They can be reached via cell phone if they are outside playing, or via the room/condo/home number if cell phone reception is poor inside.

Since reception in some parts of the island can be spotty, we recommend providing your caregiver with the Wi-Fi password so she can communicate with you via text message.

Question 20

Will I be able to speak with my nanny prior to the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You will receive an email from our office with the name of your nanny. Our nanny will call you no later than 24-48 hours before your appointment to introduce themselves and learn more about your children. If the appointment is made on short notice, the nanny will call you as soon as possible before the appointment.

Question 21

What happens if I have an existing appointment and need to get in touch with the agency after hours?

Accepted Answer

If you need to reach the agency after hours regarding an existing appointment, you can contact the owner, Jennie, directly. Her private cell phone number is provided at the time of the appointment and is also listed at the bottom of your email confirmation. Please use that number to reach out to Jennie for assistance.

Question 22

Can you provide services in other areas such as Tybee Island and Fripp Island?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely!

Yes, we can provide services in areas such as Tybee Island and Fripp Island. Please note that there is a $35 gas stipend charged per appointment for Tybee Island and Fripp Island due to the drive time and distance required to reach these barrier islands.

Question 23

Can we have a specific nanny be "on-call" for our family during specific hours on a specific day?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! However, the nanny must be paid for those hours even if her services are not utilized as she is unable to accept work with other clients or make personal plans. We are happy to work with you to ensure flexible scheduling for your family so that your vacation is everything you desire it to be.

Question 24

Could we arrange a meet and greet with our nanny prior to my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Your nanny will call you to introduce herself to your family. During this call, you'll have the opportunity to get to know the nanny, tell her about your family, and ask any questions. Some families prefer to have this introductory call via FaceTime, which can also be arranged.

Due to the high number of families our nannies serve through our In-Room Vacation Nanny Service, the traffic delays during beach season, and the complexities involved in scheduling, we are unable to offer in-person meetings prior to the appointment. Families who strongly desire an introductory meeting may request to book the nanny for an additional appointment, with all standard appointment policies applying.

Question 25

What if we are staying in a home with other families and only want care for our children?

Accepted Answer

We understand that multiple families may be staying in the same home, and one family may want to hire us to provide care exclusively for their children. We can absolutely accommodate this, ensuring that your children receive our undivided attention.

If there are children present for whom a Hilton Head Nannies caregiver is not responsible, the parents must sign a No Care Provided Form. Additionally, no child under the age of 15 may be present without an adult or older teen overseeing their care.

Question 26

What are your rates?

Accepted Answer

Individual Family In-Room (Vacation) Rates 
$35 per hour, 1-2 children (Siblings Only)
$40 per hour, 3-4 children (Siblings Only)
$45 per hour, 5-6 children (Siblings Only)
$50 per hour, 7-8 children (Siblings Only)
$28.00 Booking Fee Per Appointment 
4.5% Check-Out Fee (Agency Portion Only)

Please note: Our child-to-caregiver ratios can be found here.
 
4 hour minimum per appointment (This is strictly enforced)
*No Membership Fees * No Mileage Fees for Local Areas
*Nannies bring their own meals
A nonrefundable deposit is required at the time of booking

Multiple Family Rates
We offer a discount for families who combine their children and are using one nanny.  For each additional family, there is an additional fee of $10 per hour.  No additional booking fees are charged.

Additional Fees
Gate Fees: Client will be billed for any gate entry fees charged by resorts or communities.
Parking: Client will be billed for any parking fees.
Valet Parking: If self-parking is not available, the sitter will valet park and the fee will be charged to the client, including gratuities.
Sick Children: Triple Rate & Booking Fees +20% Gratuity, with advance notice, discussion and approval. Sick care may not always be available depending on our schedule. Nannies who provide sick care are removed from our schedule in the days after so that we do not carry illness to another family. 
Early Start: +$5/hour when booking an appointment that begins between the hours of 12 am to 7 am
Late End: +$5/hour when booking an appointment that ends after midnight
Last Minute Bookings: +$25 when booking an appointment with 4 hours notice or less
Time Adjustment: +$25 when changing the start time or end time within 72 hours of the reservation during normal business hours. 
Last Minute Reschedules: Last minute reschedules (With less than 72 hours notice) will be considered a cancellation and a new reservation entirely. 
Holiday Dates:  In order to entice our nannies to work on holiday weeks/special occasions so that we may have them available to serve you, we pay them more. As such, the rates are higher during these dates.

Standard Holidays
+$5/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Valentine's Dates: Thursday February 8th - Sunday February 18th
St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Thursday March 14th -Sunday March 17th
Mother's Day: Sunday May 12th
Memorial Day Break: Thursday May 23rd - Sunday June 2nd
Father's Day: Sunday June 16th
4th of July Break: Thursday June 27th- Sunday July 7th
Labor Day Break: Thursday August 29th - Sunday September 8th
Halloween: Thursday October 31st

Premium Holidays:
+$10/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Easter Break: Thursday March 28th - Sunday March 31st
Heritage Week: Thursday April 11th - Sunday April 21st
Thanksgiving Break: Friday November 21st - Sunday December 1st
(Excluding Thanksgiving Day)
Christmas Break: Friday December 13th- Monday December 30th
(Excluding Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)

Special Holidays & Rates:
$75/hour (one family), $50 Booking Fee
+$20/hour each additional family
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve

Please note that a 20% gratuity is added to the total on the following Holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day,  Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day.

A 20% gratuity is also automatically added to the total for any appointments that begin before 6 am, ends after 1 am, or are 10+ hours long.

Question 27

Deposit and Payment

Accepted Answer

Deposit and Payment

Nonrefundable Deposit
To book your appointment, we require a non-refundable deposit of one-third of the estimated balance, plus the booking fee. This deposit covers the agency’s referral fee for arranging and securing your nanny. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable and cannot be applied toward the nanny’s payment. Our non-refundable deposit policy is strictly enforced.

Balance Due at Appointment
The remaining two-thirds of the balance, which is the nanny's payment, is due to the caregiver in cash at the end of the appointment. Some nannies also accept cash apps such as Apple Pay, Venmo, and Zelle; please confirm this during your introductory call with the nanny.

Important Payment Information
It is required that you pay your nanny the remaining balance in cash (please inquire if your nanny accepts Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay etc.) at the end of your appointment. If the nanny is not paid directly, we can process the payment using your credit card on file as an additional service to you. There is a $25 per appointment service charge, plus a 4.5% checkout fee, to process your payment via our payroll service. This fee is a pass-through charge, meaning we only pass on the actual costs incurred in processing the payment.

Question 28

Booking Appointments

Accepted Answer

When booking an appointment online, you authorize us to secure the appointment and charge the deposit to the credit card provided at the time of booking. If you need to change the date or time of your appointment(s) and provide verbal authorization over the phone, the same non-refundable deposit policy and all agency policies apply.

Please note that any appointments booked via telephone are also subject to these policies.

Question 29

Booking Again

Accepted Answer

Our caregiver would love to work with your family again! If you'd like to book another appointment, please call our office to schedule it. Per their contract, caregivers are not permitted to accept appointments directly. If a client attempts to book directly with the caregiver, our office will charge the appropriate fees.

Question 30

What if I need to adjust the start or end time of my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Time Adjustments:
If you need to tweak the start or end time of your appointment, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate the change, provided the scheduled nanny has availability. If more than 72 hours' notice is given (7 days' notice for holiday dates), time adjustments are complimentary. There is a $25 charge for changing the start or end time within 72 hours of the reservation (7 days' notice for holiday dates) due to administrative costs. Please note that time adjustment requests made outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Please note that when the required notice is not provided for time changes, caregivers must be paid for the originally scheduled time plus any additional time added.

Shortening Appointments:
If you need to shorten the duration of an appointment, the nanny is not required to be paid for the full appointment, provided 72 hours' notice is given during standard weeks and 7 days' notice during holiday/special rate weeks.

If the required notice is not met, there is a $25 administrative fee and nanny must be paid in full for the scheduled appointment. This policy ensures stability for our career nannies, who rely on their schedules and commitments. Both nannies and clients are expected to honor their scheduled appointments. Please note that time adjustment requests made outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Question 31

Shortening Appointments, Changes to # of Children, Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

Accepted Answer

Shortening Appointments, Changes to Number of Children, Rescheduling, and Cancellation Policy

Nonrefundable Deposit:
To book your appointment, we require a non-refundable deposit of one-third of the estimated balance, plus the booking fee. This deposit covers the agency’s referral fee for arranging and securing your nanny. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable and cannot be applied toward the nanny’s payment. Our non-refundable deposit policy is strictly enforced.

Policy on Changes to Number of Children/Families:
We understand that plans can change. However, to ensure fair compensation for our nannies and smooth operations, the following policy applies to any adjustments in the number of children or families booked for care:
Notice Requirement: If you need to reduce the number of children or families originally scheduled for care, you must provide us with at least 72 hours' notice prior to the scheduled appointment. During holiday dates, 7 days' notice is required.
Payment Obligation: In the event that notice is not provided within the specified timeframe, the nanny must be compensated for the originally scheduled number of children or families, based on the agreed-upon service.

Shortening Appointments:
If you need to shorten the duration of an appointment, the nanny is not required to be paid for the full appointment, provided 72 hours' notice is given during standard weeks and 7 days' notice during holiday/special rate weeks. If the required notice is not met, there is a $25 administrative fee and nanny must be paid in full for the scheduled appointment. This policy ensures stability for our career nannies, who rely on their schedules and commitments. Both nannies and clients are expected to honor their scheduled appointments. Please note that time adjustment requests made outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Time Adjustments:
If you need to tweak the start or end time of your appointment, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate the change, provided the scheduled nanny has availability. If more than 72 hours' notice is given, time adjustments are complimentary. There is a $25 charge for changing the start or end time within 72 hours of the reservation due to administrative costs. Please note that time adjustment requests made outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Rescheduling Appointments:
We understand that plans can change while on vacation. If you need to reschedule, we are happy to do so at no additional cost when given more than 7 days' notice, provided our schedule can accommodate the change. If less than 7 days' notice is provided and we have availability, there is a $25 per appointment charge for rescheduling. Please note that rescheduling requests made outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Cancelling Appointments:
Deposits are nonrefundable. Cancellations with at least 72 hours' notice (non-holiday) or 7 days' notice (holiday) will not incur further charges. Late cancellations will require full payment directly to the nanny. Clients should arrange payment directly with the nanny. If you do not pay the nanny, the agency will charge the amount due on your credit card. Please note, to pay the nanny via your credit card, there is a $25 convenience fee in addition to a 4.5% checkout fee, and we will pay the nanny on your behalf. Please note that cancellation requests made outside of business hours will be processed on the next business day.

Note:
If more than 72 hours' notice is given for non-holiday dates, we encourage our clients to explore rescheduling options rather than cancelling appointments. Rescheduling is not guaranteed until we confirm your request.

Whenever possible, we will do our best to reschedule your appointment. As a courtesy, when 72 hours' notice is provided, if we are able to reschedule, we will apply your original deposit toward the new appointment. However, this courtesy cannot be extended after an appointment is cancelled.

Question 32

Re-Booking Cancelled Appointments

Accepted Answer

If you book an appointment and then cancel it, the nonrefundable deposit is non-transferable. If you change your mind and later want to rebook that appointment, it will be considered a new appointment requiring a new reservation deposit.
 
We encourage clients to inform us at the time of cancellation if you would like to transfer the appointment. Transfers are a courtesy and depend on availability, but we will do our best to accommodate them. If an appointment is transferred with more than 48 hours' notice, we will apply the original deposit to the new appointment with no additional charges. With less than 48 hours' notice, there is a $25 rescheduling fee.

Question 33

Cancellation Payment Policy

Accepted Answer

Cancellation Payment Policy

In the event of a cancellation that does not meet the required notice period, clients are responsible for arranging payment directly with the nanny for the full amount due. If payment is not made directly to the nanny, Hilton Head Nannies will charge the amount owed to your credit card on file.

If you opt to pay the nanny via your credit card, please note that a $25 convenience fee will apply, along with a 4.5% checkout fee. In this case, our payroll service will issue payment to the nanny on your behalf. However, please be aware that this method will result in a delay in the nanny receiving their payment.

To avoid delays and additional fees, we strongly encourage clients to pay the nanny directly using common payment apps such as Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or Apple Pay.

We appreciate your cooperation in upholding this policy, which ensures fairness to our caregivers and maintains the integrity of our service.

Question 34

Credit Card Security

Accepted Answer

Because we do not physically see your credit card, our credit card processor requires you to show your driver's license to the caregiver during the appointment. The nanny will record information from your driver's license onto the Nanny Service Invoice, which she submits to the office. This process secures the deposit charged to your credit card. Please ensure the name on the driver's license matches the name on the reservation and the credit card.

Question 35

Releasing Children

Accepted Answer

For the security of your children, our caregivers are not permitted to release a child to anyone other than the parent or legal guardian unless advance arrangements are made with the office and the appropriate forms are signed.

Question 36

2025 Holidays for Vacation Nanny Appointments

Accepted Answer

To ensure our nannies are available to serve you on holidays weeks and special occasions, our rates are higher rates during the following dates:

Standard Holidays
+$5/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Valentine's Dates: Thursday February 13th- Sunday February 16th
St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Thursday March 13th -Monday March 17th
Mother's Day Weekend: Saturday May 10th - Sunday May 11th
Memorial Day Break: Friday May 23rd- Saturday May 31st
Father's Day: Saturday June 14th - Sunday June 15th
4th of July Break: Friday June 27th- Sunday July 6th
Labor Day Break: Friday August 29th- Monday September 1st
Halloween: Friday October 31st

Premium Holidays:
+$10/hour, +$7 Booking Fee
Heritage Week/Easter: Thursday April 10th - Sunday April 20th
Thanksgiving Break: Friday November 21st- Sunday November 30th 
  (Excluding Thanksgiving Day)
Christmas Break: Thursday December 18th- Tuesday December 30th 
(Excluding Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
New Year's Day 2026: Thursday January 1st

Special Holidays & Rates:
$75/hour (one family), $50 Booking Fee
+$20/hour each additional family
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve

Please note that a 20% gratuity is added to the total on the following Holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day,  Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day

Question 37

Gratuity

Accepted Answer

We are often asked by clients whether gratuity is expected and what the appropriate amount should be. If you are happy with the service you received, your caregiver would greatly appreciate any gratuity. The recommended amount is the standard 15-20%.

Please note that a 20% gratuity is automatically added to the total on the following holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Heritage Week/Easter Week, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, and New Year's Break.

A 20% gratuity is also automatically added to the total for any appointments that begin before 6 am, end after 1 am, or are 10+ hours long.

Question 38

Sick Care/Illness Policy

Accepted Answer

To prevent carrying illness from one client’s family to another, and to protect our caregivers, we must strictly enforce Our Sick Care/Illness Policy.
 
If anyone in your group (child or adult) is showing signs of illness, please call the agency immediately and inform us so that we can determine if it is appropriate to send the caregiver.

These signs include, but may not be limited to, the following: 
 
·         Unusual Behavior: Your child does not feel well enough to participate in usual activities and exhibits signs of extreme fatigue, unexplained irritability, or persistent crying. 
·         Fever: We consider any temperature that is elevated to 100 F degrees or higher to be a fever. Your child must be fever-free for 48 hours without fever-reducing medications. No one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms.  
·         Coughing: Repetitive coughing (even when dry), wheezing (unless asthma – inhaler must be provided), rapid or difficulty breathing
·         Upper Respiratory Symptoms: Large amount of thick nasal discharge, persistent cough with or without sputum, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing through nose. Care may resume when child has been symptom free for 48 hours without symptom-reducing medications AND no one else in the family/group/household shows symptoms. 
·         Sore Throat: Tickling in throat, raw throat. If your child tests positive for Strep, he/she must have been on antibiotics for 5 days before care may resume, and no one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms. Additionally, our fever policy must be followed. We require 5 days because strep is very contagious and often takes time to move through a family/group/household. 
·         Pink Eye: Itchy, pink or red eyes with thick mucus or pus draining from the eye (red eyes from pool use excluded)
·         Diarrhea: Your child must be symptom free for 24 hours and our fever guidelines must be followed. No one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms.  
·         Vomiting: Your child must be symptom-free for 48 hours without symptom reducing medications for care to resume and our fever guidelines must be followed. No one else in the family/group/household should be showing symptoms.  
·         Covid-19 Symptoms: Your child must be fever-free for 72 hours without the help of fever-reducing medications, symptom free for 72 hours without the help of medications AND there should be no one else in your family/group/household showing symptoms AND at least 5 days must have passed since child tested positive/began showing symptoms. 
·         Rashes/Blisters: Unusual blisters, rashes or itchy bumps that cannot be attributed to mosquitos/sand gnats or sunburns.
·         Impetigo: Your child must have been on an antibiotic for 72 hours before care may resume. Further, any weeping rashes must be completely covered and taped on all sides. 
·         Head Lice: Before care may resume, treatment and removal of all lice and nits from hair, the home treated thoroughly, and a minimum of 7 days has passed with re-checks and no signs of lice or nits present in the child or any family/group/household members.

Illness Cancellation Policy:

Appointments may be cancelled up to 12 hours prior to the start time for illness and there will be no additional charges for the appointment (deposits/booking fees are nonrefundable). If less than 12 hours' notice is given, and we are unable to place the caregiver in another appointment slot, the caregiver must be paid (the caregiver held this spot on the schedule and turned down other work).

In the event of a cancellation that does not meet the required notice period, clients are responsible for arranging payment directly with the nanny for the full amount due. If payment is not made directly to the nanny, Hilton Head Nannies will charge the amount owed to your credit card on file.

If you opt to pay the nanny via your credit card, please note that a $25 convenience fee will apply, along with a 4.5% checkout fee. In this case, our payroll service will issue payment to the nanny on your behalf. However, please be aware that this method will result in a delay in the nanny receiving their payment.

To avoid delays and additional fees, we strongly encourage clients to pay the nanny directly using common payment apps such as Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or Apple Pay.

We appreciate your cooperation in upholding this policy, which ensures fairness to our caregivers and maintains the integrity of our service.

When Illness is not disclosed to the agency:

If your caregiver arrives at your appointment and there is a sick child or adult present that was not disclosed to us prior to her arrival, the caregiver must call the agency immediately. The agency may decline care. When this occurs and the caregiver is exposed, the caregiver must be paid in full for the scheduled appointment at double the hourly rate (inclusive of holiday rates), plus a gratuity of 20%. The increased rate is due to her exposure and having to pull her off rotation so that she does not take illness to another family. This will be charged to your credit card on file.

Clients who dose their children with symptom-reducing medication to hide the illness from the caregiver or agency will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the above stated increased rates/gratuity and permanently banned from booking future appointments with the agency. Further, any future appointments already on the books will be cancelled with no refunds of the non-refundable deposit/booking fee.

Sick Care with Advance Notice:

For your convenience and at our discretion based on our schedule, if you desire care for your sick child/children, we may be able to provide care. Sick care rates and booking fees triple the standard fees (inclusive of holiday rates) plus 20% gratuity.  The extra cost makes up for some, but not all, of the lost income that results from a caregiver being pulled from our schedule.

We are unable to make exceptions to these policies. Thank you for being thoughtful of our caregivers and our other clients as we strive to be thoughtful of your family's health!

Question 39

Water Activities

Accepted Answer

Under most circumstances, our caregivers are comfortable getting in the pool with children. However, given the potential life-or-death nature of pool situations, we do not require our caregivers to do so if they feel uncomfortable for any reason (e.g., the children are not listening well, a child is out of sorts, or other people in the pool pose a risk). Therefore, we cannot guarantee that your children will get to go swimming. However, our caregivers love taking kids to the pool and have a few ground rules the children must follow. Parents must sign a swim release form for the agency prior to any swimming.

While our caregivers do not allow children in the ocean, they will happily let them play on the beach and dig in the sand.

Question 40

Travel

Accepted Answer

When traveling to an activity or restaurant with a caregiver, transportation must not be by private vehicle. Acceptable options include shuttle, chartered transportation, professional taxi, or resort transportation. We do not permit travel by Uber or similar services. If the caregiver is joining the whole family at an activity, she must drive her own vehicle and meet the family there.

Question 41

Bathing Children

Accepted Answer

Except in emergency situations (such as if a child gets sick), our caregivers do not bathe children.

Question 42

Getting Nannies into Gated Communities

Accepted Answer

Montage Palmetto Bluff: Our administrative staff arranges entry for nannies directly with the resort, so no action is required from the client

Sea Pines Resort: Our nannies are required to purchase passes to access Sea Pines Resort ($9).  In accordance with the resorts' policies, nannies are not permitted to accept passes arranged by property owners. These fees will be included in the invoice and passed along to the client.

Palmetto Dunes Resort: Our nannies are required to purchase passes to access Palmetto Dunes Resort ($15). In accordance with the resorts' policies, nannies are not permitted to accept passes arranged by property owners. These fees will be included in the invoice and passed along to the client.

For all other gated communities, the client is responsible for arranging entry and for parking passes (if applicable).

Question 43

Parking & Transportation Fees

Accepted Answer

If self-parking is not available, the caregiver will valet park, and the fee, including gratuities, will be charged to the client.

Please note: When serving in downtown Savannah past sunset, nannies may need to utilize valet parking for safety reasons. The fee, including gratuities, will be charged to the client.

Additionally, any parking fees, including those for parking garages, will be charged to the client.

When applicable, gratuities for carts used to reach a residence will also be charged to the client.

Question 44

What is your policy for named storms, such as Tropical Storms or Hurricanes?

Accepted Answer

The safety of our nannies and our guests is always our top priority.

Named-Storm Policy: While deposits are non-refundable, if cancellations are made for appointments occurring during the landfall of a named storm, we will offer an agency credit to be used within a 36-month period. The 72-hour cancellation policy is also waived during this time, meaning that the client is not required to pay the nanny for cancellations that occur during the landfall. This policy does not cover appointments prior to the named storm landfall and only applies to the period after the named storm landfall if the area has not reopened for business.

Hilton Head Nannies

The Lowcountry's Gold Standard

for Childcare since 2007.

Bradley Family Specific Links

Bradley Family Landing Page

Group Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Private Care: Frequently Asked Questions (You Are Here) Group Care Reservation Form Private Care Reservation Form

Frequently Asked Questions

I would like to request private care during our group event. What is the process?

Do I need advance reservations?

How far in advance can I book a reservation?

If we book multiple appointments, can we have the same nanny each time?

What is your child to caregiver ratio?

What is your caregiver screening process?

What backgrounds do your nannies and sitters have?

How are you different from other services?

How old are your nannies & sitters?

How do your nannies & sitters entertain the children?

Are your nannies and sitters CPR & First Aid Certified?

Policy Regarding Nannies Accompanying Families to Events Without a Separate Children's Room

Is it okay for us to use a nanny camera while your caregiver is with our kids?

Where will your caregivers provide care?

Do your caregivers take part in any other training?

How do I identify my caregiver?

Required Agency Paperwork

What ages do your nannies typically care for?

Will I be able to contact my nanny when she is caring for my children?

Will I be able to speak with my nanny prior to the appointment?

What happens if I have an existing appointment and need to get in touch with the agency after hours?

Can you provide services in other areas such as Tybee Island and Fripp Island?

Can we have a specific nanny be "on-call" for our family during specific hours on a specific day?

Could we arrange a meet and greet with our nanny prior to my appointment?

What if we are staying in a home with other families and only want care for our children?

What are your rates?

Deposit and Payment

Booking Appointments

Booking Again

What if I need to adjust the start or end time of my appointment?

Shortening Appointments, Changes to # of Children, Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

Re-Booking Cancelled Appointments

Cancellation Payment Policy

Credit Card Security

Releasing Children

2025 Holidays for Vacation Nanny Appointments

Gratuity

Sick Care/Illness Policy

Water Activities

Travel

Bathing Children

Getting Nannies into Gated Communities

Parking & Transportation Fees

What is your policy for named storms, such as Tropical Storms or Hurricanes?

Private Care: Frequently Asked Questions (You Are Here)

Group Care Reservation Form

Private Care Reservation Form