It’s no secret that the best family vacations often include some time away from the kids.

Travel is On Topic at FOXBusiness.com in April. From tips on booking cheap vacations to flying with your pets, we explore your top travel ideas. Check back throughout the month to find out what you need to know.

While many hotels and resorts offer programs to keep children occupied for a few hours, very few have sitters on-call for private use, leaving vacationers to rely on local nanny services. But how cost-effective is it to hire a nanny at your destination? More importantly, is it safe? Here’s some expert advice to help you make the right decision.

Hiring a nanny at your destination is usually cheaper than bringing a nanny to your destination
One reason vacationers decide to hire nanny services after arriving at their destination is because bringing a nanny from home is just too expensive. In general, taking your nanny with you requires that you pay for his/her flight, meals and hotel room, in addition to a weekly salary and an optional stipend, said Genevieve Thiers, founder of Sittercity.com, a matchmaking Web site for caregivers and families.

But Thiers advises those considering a vacation service to do the math beforehand; in some cases, it may cost less to bring a nanny than to hire one on vacation.

“If you’re hiring a nanny from 8-5 for six days, and they’re charging $40 an hour for that nanny plus extras, it could be cheaper [to bring your nanny from home],” she said.

Vacationers sometimes pay more for nanny services than local clients
While rules differ from agency to agency, vacationers often end up paying more for nanny services than local clients. Why? Some agencies have yearly membership packages and discounted rates for locals – offers that aren’t usually extended to those just passing through, said Jennie Krogulski, owner of S.C.-based placement agency Hilton Head Nannies and co-founder of the Association of Professional Nannies.

Kelly Adams, managing partner of an advertising agency in Richmond, Va., recently vacationed in Hilton Head and hired Krogulski’s nanny service to watch her two daughters for a night. While Adams admits she paid more than double what she usually pays for a nanny back home, the comfort of having an experienced nanny was well worth it.

“It’s worth it to go out and have peace of mind,” Adams said.

Rates vary by agency and location, but can generally range from $12-$20 an hour up through $40 or $50 an hour. Many agencies charge an up-front fee – called the “finder” or “referral” fee – while others skip the fee and simply take a portion of their nannies’ hourly earnings. Most nanny services require a 4-hour minimum commitment. Extra charges can be tacked on if the nanny has to drive, stays over the time you requested, or depending on the number of kids needed to be watched, Thiers of Sittercity.com said.

Hotel concierges can guide you in the right direction, but may be hesitant to do so
Experts recommend asking your hotel staff for nanny service suggestions, as they tend to have working relationships with nearby businesses. Sometimes, those relationships are exclusive: A hotel will only recommend one particular nanny service, and guests from that hotel will receive a discount on that service, as is the case for one hotel that Krogulski’s nanny service works with. But hotels are becoming increasingly quiet about suggesting companies to their guests.

“Hotels lately have told me that they don’t want to make the recommendation,” said Pat Cascio, president of the International Nanny Association and owner of Houston-based Morningside Nannies. “A lot of times, their liability is a concern.”

A credible agency will be able to prove it
Experts say you should always book a nanny through an agency. A credible agency should be licensed, bonded and insured to protect its nannies and clients in the event of an accident or theft.

“You have to have that kind of insurance to protect yourself and your nannies,” said Kelly Lightfoot, owner of Happy Kids, a nanny service agency with locations in Hawaii and Arizona.

If the agency doesn’t have regular business hours, or you can’t seem to reach anybody during the listed hours, be wary, said Krogulski of Hilton Head Nannies. She also suggests searching for any reports filed with the Better Business Bureau, as well as checking out the company’s online presence.

In fact, one of the reasons recent customer Adams decided to use Hilton Head Nannies is because of the company's Web site, which offers detailed information about the service, as well as customer testimonials.

“It was about [Krogulski’s] Web site, the boards she serves on, her references and how long her nannies have been with her,” Adams said.

Why is agency credibility so important? Nannies that enlist with agencies are required to go through a rigorous interview process and pass multiple screenings: city, state and nationwide criminal background checks, sex offender registry scans, credit checks – even driving history checks.

“You can tell a lot about people just by their driving records,” Lightfoot said.

Still, it’s best to ask around, do your research, and be very cautious.

“It’s a very unregulated industry. There’s not any federal regulation regarding private in-home childcare,” said Cascio of the International Nanny Association.

Whether you’re at a beach resort or ski resort, a red flag is still a red flag
Pay attention. Experts advise those seeking nanny services to do the following:

Ask the agency…
•    How it finds its nannies and how they are trained
•    If it is licensed, bonded and insured
•    About its rate structure and policies
•    To make note of any special needs your child/children may have
•    For an after-hours phone number

When the nanny arrives, make sure s/he…
•    Shows proof at the door in the form of a company ID badge (preferably with photo), driver’s license or agency release form
•    Can communicate with you effectively
•    Is aware of your children’s allergies or health problems
•    Knows what’s off-limits (ie – taking the kids to the pool or in the car.)
•    Has your phone number