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Covid-19 and its long term effect on the nanny industry

Posted on 8th July 2020
A look at the long term effects of Covid-19 on the nanny industry 
Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the economy and at the time of writing (July 2020) it doesnt seem to be going anywhere fast. One good thing to come out of the Covid crisis, however, is highlighting the importance of a nanny's role.  
 
When we went into lockdown, schools, nurseries and childminders all had to close their doors. Nannies were the only form of operational childcare and of course the safest, as a nanny (usually) only works with one family, keeping the circle of contact small. As time went by and lockdown eased, Rosebud Nanny Agency had a lot of calls from families who were now leaning towards a nanny over nursery for this reason. 
 
The fact is, we dont know how long this will linger. How long will it be before a child with a cough, or a raised temperature, is allowed to continue at nursery instead of being sent home to isolate for 2 weeks? I have seen an increase in families choosing the nanny route for their childcare now, and a number have cited the security of continuous childcare as the deciding factor for them.  
 
The other change we will continue to see going forward is parents working from home a lot more. Pre-lockdown, it was common for nanny employers to be mostly out of the house for work, with some parents working a day or so per week from home. With huge adjustments from businesses during CV-19 to allow their employees flexible working from home, it seems highly likely that this will continue going forward - a lot of my clients already know they'll likely work from home until the end of 2020, and it seems will then continue working from home a few days per week.  
 
Nannies are used to taking sole charge of the children whilst parents work, so this will be an adjustment. With young children, it can be tough for them to understand that even though mum and dad are here, they're not to be disturbed - it is so important that the nanny and the employers discuss how best to approach this new working pattern. 
On the other hand, parents having set work from home days could see a reduction in the nanny's working hours - nannies typically work 11-12 hour days, to cover the employers working hours + commute time. With parents home more, we could see a change to typical nanny hours with a couple of long days (7.30-6.30 / 7am-7pm) and the rest of the week working more 'office hours' of 8.30-5.30/ 8-6! 
 
All we know for sure is that Covid-19 will leave lasting changes to the nanny industry (and the rest of the world)! 
 
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On 9th July 2020 at 21:57, Marta Capova wrote:
That’s true. But unfortunately there is more what is going to affect nannies a lot.
1/ Salary..
As I am in progress of finding a new position (I have resigned before Covid-19 and gave 4 months notice with extention till September because of bad situation for parents) I can see that parents offering lower salary than before.

2/ Less hours...
As you mentioned nannies usually works around 10-12 hours per day and mostly 5 days a week. Lately I see lots of positions just for 2-4 days and mostly max 10 hours per day.

3/ Expectations
Nannies usually do just child related stuff but now parents prefer nannies who will also do at least partly housekeeping, family laundry and cooking for whole family.

4/ Transportation
In the past parents didn’t mind if nanny traveled to work by public transport but lately moat of them want nanny who can walk or cycle to work and live locally

5/ “new nannies”
Well lots of girls decided to work in this childcare industry as there was and still is quite big demand and despite the fact that they doesn’t have any (or just little) experiences with nannying they call them self nannies and asking for nonsense salary. Too low which does does have huge impact on professionals nannies with qualifications or just too much for no experiences

6/ Change of conditions of work place
Parents working from home forgetting that their house is also nanny office and nannies needs some space to work effectively. That nanny needs her brake during the day as well , eat lunch in peace and have some quite time when children are sleeping/watching TV etc...it’s nice to have chat with parents sometimes but...

I have been working through lock down nonstop. I am tired, moody, don’t want to talk to parents every day and tidy up after their breakfast and lunch. I don’t want to walk dog twice a day but just once a day as that’s what we agreed many years ago. I don’t want to go for grocery several times per week because it is 5 of us in the house and not just 3 as it used to be.... I would like to have my smile back on my face, enjoy my work, meet other nanny friends in the park finally. But I am also looking forward to finish my position in a few weeks and have some brake before I will start the new one. And yes, I am very afraid of the future as it is not going be same like before Covid-19.


On 9th July 2020 at 10:34, Emma wrote:
From my own personal point of view, short hours would suit someone like me with a child at school as I’ve struggled for years finding jobs to fit around my own child so could potentially help some parent nannies.
On 8th July 2020 at 19:06, Margaret. Project action wrote:
This is true and I feel there will be a lot of part time jobs available. Nannies may have to look at taking two roles. Working with parents at home means working out ways of organising the ‘rules’. About allowing parents to work. It’s manageable just needs a conversation on reviewing this.
On 8th July 2020 at 15:28, Libby wrote:
Great article, it hi-lights the importance of good communication between nannies and parents.

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