Working Parents & Childcare
So many of our remarkable candidates are working parents. Being a working mother myself, I know that finding the right childcare is hard - really hard. Some of us are luckier than others – having amazing family members nearby to help or living close to a great childcare center. The decision to leave your children all day in the hands of someone else isn’t easy. Many families need - or want - two working parents, which leads to the wonderful world of balancing school and childcare.
Below I outline options as an easy way to think through your decisions as a family.
1.Daycare Center
If you are fortunate enough to find a daycare that is close to home or work, has availability, is affordable for your family and you like it, you may have a great option! Every town and city is different – varying by availability, cost, practices, type and proximity. If this is the route you plan to go, you should evaluate your options by touring daycares while you are expecting so that you can enroll or join the waitlist. Daycare centers and in-home daycares are your options in this bucket, and they both have their pros and cons to consider.
2. Family
If you are fortunate to have family nearby that is willing and able to care for your young ones while you work – amazing! You will save on childcare costs and have the best benefit of all – your children spending time with family.
Make sure to have the necessary conversations upfront:
The days and times you will need care each week or year
Your daily expectations of the caregiver when they are with your children
How you can support them and thank them for this help
Their expectations of you in this arrangement
The best ways to communicate during the day or throughout the week
How you will communicate schedule changes, discipline, activities, etc.
It is critical to make sure you are on the same page before starting this journey as it may get complicated if you aren’t aligned or have different expectations of the role, hours, and potential compensation.
3. Nanny/Babysitter
The world of apps and the internet has changed the ability to find and retain an in-home childcare provider. My parents once told me that they used to follow the high school bus route home and ask kids getting off if anyone was interested in babysitting! You can also consider using an agency that specializes in full-time care placements as well.
If using an app or site, here are a few tips:
Review profiles thoroughly
Read any reviews on their past experience
Look into their public image via social media
Speak to references by phone, not only written recommendations
Interview the candidate by FaceTime and in-person
Complete a background check on your candidate with their permission
Have them complete a paid “trial” while you are there before committing to hiring them, even if it is only a couple of hours.
If you can find a caregiver through a friend, neighbor or family member who has firsthand experience, even better! Once you are confident, make sure you address your expectations of their duties and the compensation offer in a clear way. They should understand the hours, your expectations of them with the children during the day, household rules, protocol for sick days and vacation time, compensation for driving the children or performing other duties (as necessary), when and how you will pay them for their time, and any other perks, benefits or standards.
4. Nanny/Babysitter Share
A “Nanny Share” is a popular and convenient way to have in-home care in many areas. There are quite a few pros and cons to this option.
Pros:
Cost splitting between families
Socialization and friendship between children
Camaraderie between families
“Burden” sharing between families
Cons:
Logistics can be more complicated
Personality matching must be on point between the families and each family with the nanny/sitter
Misunderstanding or disagreements may arise
5. Au Pair
We are currently on the Au Pair train. Our experience has been mixed. Our first au pair only lasted three weeks with our family and was generally very stressed. That experience aside, we gave it another shot and we are so glad we did! Our second au pair was an amazing caregiver and wonderful part of our family.
I spent many hours researching agencies to be sure I would be going through a reputable and trustworthy source. We ended up using both Au Pair Care and Cultural Care and ultimately ended up with our au pair through Au Pair Care. There are many sites resources - be sure to research your options!
6. Live-in Nanny/Sitter
Depending on your arrangement, this is either more affordable or more expensive than other options. I have known people who have traded childcare hours for room and board, and others who require live-in and offer significant compensation for this convenience. Depending on your household needs and space in your home, this may or may not be an option to consider. There are legal and tax implications to all such arrangements that should be explored with an expert.
7. Gyms & Family Clubs
Gyms and other “clubs” have cropped up on the radar with some childcare offerings. This may include places like the YMCA and the JCC in various areas, or newer additions to the field like The Wonder in NYC, the Bay Area’s ‘Bay Clubs’ and more. Some places require you to stay on site and set limits on hours while others are more flexible depending on their licensing and staffing. These places may allow you to enjoy a coffee kid-free, take a business phone call, or workout.
For us, The Bay Club became our second home when we were really short on childcare. While the kids spent time in their supervised play centers, I used the business center to work remotely rather than hitting the gym. I suspect more options like this will arise in the coming years. Though it doesn’t replace full-time care, it can certainly help in a pinch.
8. Parent Swap
If you can find another likeminded parent to swap with, this is a great option! It doesn’t sit well for full-time care but could lend to some hours here and there. My mom used to switch-off with another mother in our community a few times a week. She would take her daughter twice a week, and pass me to her twice a week. Thirty-two years later, she’s still my best friend! Check out your local ‘Mother’s’ or ‘Parent’s’ club’ or community Facebook group to see if anyone is interested!