CHILDCARE OPTIONS FOR BUSY WORKING PARENTS
As dual working parents becomes more and more prevalent, it’s becoming more and more difficult to find the right childcare option for your family. The events of the last two years has highlighted what a porous, patchwork system childcare has become. The pandemic drove daycare centers, after school programs, and private childcare providers to change the scope of their services. This has left busy parents with the impossible challenge of balancing care for their children with the demands of their own professional lives. According to the Center for American Progress, a 2018 survey conducted by the Center for American Progress, mothers were 40 percent more likely than fathers to report that they had personally felt the negative impact of child care issues on their careers. Too often, mothers must make job decisions based on child care considerations rather than in the interest of their financial situation or career goals. Here at Sommet, it is our goal to match busy, working families with a nanny that provides the type of stability every family needs. Here are some options for families who are looking for childcare options!
AU PAIRS
Many families find that working with an au pair is perfect for their families needs. Hiring an au pair provides families with a great deal of flexibility. Au pairs live in your home and drive your car, which can be helpful for families who need a childcare provider for before/after school hours. Just like any childcare option, hiring an au pair can also come with a handful of drawbacks. Typically, au pairs are on the younger side and don’t have as much experience. They are also limited to a small number of hours per week that they are able to work. The other con of working with an au pair is the adjustment period that is natural for this type of relationship. An Au Pair is coming to your home from a foreign country and it may take some time for them to adjust to this new space and set of responsibilities.
FAMILY, NEIGHBOR, BABYSITTER?
Some families try to piece together their childcare needs through family, neighbor, or occasional babysitter help. This can be helpful if you are on a tight budget, but can be unreliable. A downside to this option is that these individuals have their own responsibilities and may not be available on short notice. My close friends in Washington D.C. have been trying to piece together childcare through their teenage nieces and nephews and it’s resulted in lack of reliability, cancelled plans, and frustration.
FINDING YOUR VERY OWN MARY POPPINS
As an agency, Sommet Nannies takes pride in finding each families Mary Poppins. We see each family as a unique unit that requires an individualized approach. While you can certainly piece together childcare through babysitters, au pairs, or family help, hiring a full-time nanny provides your family with the security of reliable childcare. Our team handles all screening on the front end to make sure that each candidate we send represents our mission to find families their dream nanny. All of our nannies are required to hold a minimum of a bachelors degree, and most come with backgrounds in Early, Elementary, or Secondary education. All of our nannies also come with experience as a nanny, daycare provider, doula, or teacher. This requirement is important to us because we know that each nanny we send comes to work every day with a structured plan to engage and guide their nanny children. Each Sommet Nanny values meaningful time with children with undivided attention and sensory development. Whether they are working with an infant, toddler, or school-aged child, they create an individualized approach for each family. The benefit of hiring a full-time nanny goes beyond the childcare realm. Each family requires support across the board to make sure their home stays afloat. Our nannies help with household tidying, grocery shopping, meal prep, and maintaining a smooth schedule.
The relationship that we hold with both nannies and families does not stop at the end of the transaction. We take pride and maintaining positive and supportive relationships. As a team, nothing makes us happier than knowing both parties feels that it was the perfect match. If your family has been considering hiring a full-time nanny or any domestic staff, Sommet would love to help in your search!
About Sommet Nannies
Sommet Nannies, a Preferred Relief Partner, is a nanny agency that helps busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.
If you’re a family interested in learning more about our nanny services, head over here.
If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.