One word. Pandemic. Childcare has been as shaken up by COVID-19 as every other sector. In the USA they’re seeing a fundamental shift away from day-care to personal care for five reasons:
- COVID fears – because many parents are worried about unvaccinated children being exposed to COVID-19, many have pulled their kids from nurseries to have them looked after at home. For those parents who can’t afford a nanny at home, a nanny share has become a real option, reducing the exposure risk and the cost at the same time.
- COVID failures – for many other parents, the constant need to organise at home care whenever their child has a temperature or snuffle has brought the recognition that a nanny would be available when needed so children can have consistent, personal care at home
- Personalised care – many families who opted for nursery care have rethought their plans as a result of the lockdown experience. They may have discovered that their children flourished better in a more personal environment, or they may have realised that their children’s aptitudes weren’t being fully recognised in a childcare setting. Whatever the reason, they’ve come to understand that the individualised response that comes from a nanny works better for their child or children.
- Stable environment – the pandemic destabilised many workplaces. Constant COVID threats, endless testing and sometimes quarantining, the absence of colleagues etc has been tough on adults. In schools, nurseries and daycares, this kind of destabilisation has even more effect as children’s more malleable sense of self-esteem can be challenged by how stable their early life is. For many parents, this has been a major factor in moving to nanny care, as it guarantees a more secure and stable background which results in a higher sense of security and self-worth, as well as a more robust approach to challenges later in life.
- Cost-effective care – where parents work odd hours, or where childcare has become unpredictable due to COVID scares, hiring a nanny can actually turn out to be a better financial option. It guarantees a level of reliable care and gives parents a sense of security that can be invaluable.
If you’re considering the move to nanny care, why not contact us today so that we can introduce you to the nanny who can support your family?
Photo credit: Keira Burton