These recession times have been hard on everyone due to the continuous rise in unemployment and the increasing salary cuts. One sector that has been greatly affected by this is the child care industry, specifically nannies and nanny day care jobs as we have previously discussed. Finding child care has, in fact, become easier for parents due to the excessive availability of nannies. Not only can the parents be picky as to who they choose now, they can provide suitable and affordable childcare for their children right from their own homes. There has been a significant shift in childcare from part time day cares to part time nannies due to the current state of the economy.

Part Time Nannies In Excess

Earlier, when the economy was booming, nannies had a particularly strong say on their salaries and benefits. However, within the last year, a lot has changed in the nanny day care business. Parents are finding that they are in control and hold the reigns again which is especially good news for single parent homes. Due to the numerous layoffs, part time nannies are finding it hard to demand what they previously took for granted and are having to settle for much lesser terms thus proving affordable child care to families. While earlier the nannies got to decide which house they would work for, parents are now getting the opportunity to be pickier and choose who they deem fit to care for their child. Nanny agencies now send more than double the number of nannies to choose from to parents. Hiring in these agencies has reduced by 30%-50% within the last one year.

Part Time Nannies: Overqualified & Underpaid

Not only are part time nannies in excess now, most of them are also usually much too overqualified for their jobs. However, they are hopeful to find any job and thus settle for nanny jobs even if they are qualified to achieve much more. Individuals with a Masters degree, years of experience in caring for children, and fluent in English and Spanish are now being looked upon as appropriately qualified for a nanny job. These are extremely high standards compared to last year. Moreover, as parents now don’t have to worry about their nanny being taken away by others if they are not pampered enough, they are now paying them much lesser than they deserve. On average, the pay of a nanny has gone from $700 down to $400 a week. They are also now being required to assist in household cleaning work as well. Even though this seems unfair to the nannies, parents are now rejoicing at finally having found affordable child care for their kids.

With the luxuries of the past life taken away from them and their salaries driven down due to the fallen economy, nanny jobs are now starting to look like affordable child care for parents. With the excess of nannies everywhere, finding child care has become easier now. Parents can now be selective and choose from a variety of overqualified nannies waiting to be employed by somebody. While families everywhere suffer from lower pay and job cuts, affordable nanny day care comes as a blessing to them all.

Reference:

1. Recession shakes up child care for families – CNN

In these recession times, daycare jobs have been hit hard as nannies and babysitters continue their struggle in finding child care jobs. With job cuts increasing every day, part time nannies are losing their jobs and part time day cares are continually losing business. While families regret letting go of trustworthy nannies and babysitters, finding affordable childcare has become a higher priority for them. Jobs in daycare are at an all time low and are projected to remain that way until we come out of this recession. A child care career, although rewarding, does seem a little hard right now.

Recession Hits Part Time Day Care

We are all experiencing financial woes due to our current weak economy and fewer families are choosing a nanny day care for their children. However, daycare jobs have been hit especially hard with this recession. Part time child care centers and individual nannies and babysitters are losing jobs and clients they have had for years. When one member of a family gets laid off, they stay at home to take care of the kids as this is the most affordable child care. However, this would mean letting go of your nanny or cutting down on hours at part time day cares. Since last year, daycares have lost huge percentages of their clients and nanny hiring agencies all over the US have also confirmed that the hiring is really slowing down. More and more nannies call them regularly to find daycare jobs as they keep getting laid off. Enrollment at nanny day cares is so low that many of them have had to close their doors.

Part Time Nannies & Nanny Day Cares Suffering

It has been a mental and financial nightmare for daycares and part time nannies who are losing their jobs. For most, this is their only source of income and the recession is leaving them penniless as families switch to cheaper alternatives. While many lose their jobs altogether, others see hours cut and incentives taken away. Nanny jobs came with bonuses like a month of paid leave, paid holiday in Europe, and a place to stay. With the fallen economy, these incentives are no longer being offered to part time nannies. Moreover, they are being asked to assist in housecleaning and are having their pay rates slashed. The luxuries that they once enjoyed have been snatched away from them so that families can make their childcare affordable. Part time child care centers have also experienced hardships. The impact of the recession is felt by not only the families and day care centers, but also by the workers at the daycares. Daycare jobs are also being affected as staff members and cleaning crew are being laid off to keep the facility from going under.

This recession is contributing to a severe depression in the childcare industry. People with jobs at daycares are suffering greatly due to the several layoffs. Finding child care jobs is becoming increasingly difficult and part time nannies and daycares are bearing the brunt of it. While families accept inferior quality but affordable childcare, nannies and daycares scramble to find new jobs to keep them going.

References:

1. Recession squeezes day care from both sides – MSNBC

There are various options open for parents needing someone to care for their children while they work, the decision will have to be made wisely as your child will be with your chosen carer for many hours a day every day of the week so it is essential that you have peace of mind they are safe and well looked after as well as receiving the stimulation needed for learning and development in the early years. Listed below is a comprehensive guide to the different types of care that is offered:

A Nanny

Nannies will care for your children in your own home and often form a close bond with your child or children because of this; a nanny has to be registered as a child minder with local authorities.

The nanny will provide your child with activities during the day depending on the age of the child and may also perform some light duties around the home such as cleaning the child’s room; the nanny will also assist in the social development of your child.

There are several nanny agencies that will take your needs and the age of your children into account and pair up suitable candidates which you can then interview in your home; this is often the best way of choosing a nanny.

After school clubs

Many schools now offer an after school club to provide your child with care in between leaving school and you returning home from work, activities will be made available for your child and they will have the option of purchasing snacks and drinks.

Some day care centers offer after school care and some have a separate facility from the main day care center specially providing activities and snacks for your child.

An Au-pair

Au-pairs are usually young and often do not have any qualifications in child care as such, they will live in your home and provide care for your child as well as performing household duties, they will essentially take care of the home for you while you are working often performing shopping, cooking and cleaning duties.

Child day care centers

Day care centers can be an expensive form of child care especially if you live in a big city, staff at the centers will hold certificates in child caring on various levels and will have been trained in dealing with problem children and children with special needs.

Care centers will provide meals and activities for your child based on age and some centers have after school care programs suitable for older children. Children can benefit from attending a day care centers, mixing socially with other children the same age but are more at risk of catching childhood illnesses from mixing.

Child minders

A child minder has to be registered to provide care for children and babies, a child minder will generally look after children in their own home and an inspection will have been made into the suitability of the home beforehand.

All child minders will have had a criminal record check made to rule out any criminal activity and they will have attended a registration course and first aid course. They will be up to date on topics such as child nutrition, health and safety and food hygiene.

Family members or friends

This option is particularly appealing as you know your child will be safe with relatives, also your child won’t have problems when you leave because they know the person they are with. Family members are usually more flexible than nannies and make an excellent choice for after school arraignments for your child.