10 REASONS PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A POOL OF PRESCREENED CAREGIVERS

Posted on July 26, 2012 by admin | in Nanny Jobs

Years ago it was the norm for extended family to live in close proximity to each other and help out with young children while the parents worked, however that is simply no longer the case. Today it is considered a luxury for families with young children to live close to aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and with the distance placed between families the traditional pinch-hitting babysitters are no longer easily accessible, forcing parents to look outside of the family for short-term and occasional childcare. Having a pool of prescreened childcare providers at the ready can make securing occasional and short-term childcare a cinch, and here are 10 reasons why:

1.  For date nights. Every happy couple knows that spending time together without the kids must be a priority to maintain a solid relationship. But for many couples, their inability to find a trusted childcare provider keeps them home at night. Securing a pool of prescreened candidates allows parents to meet and build relationships with providers prior to needing their services.

2. For before and after school coverage. Securing coverage for the mornings when the children can’t go to school or daycare until after the parents have to leave for work can be a real problem. The same is true for the end of the day when parents can’t get home from work before school is out or daycare closes. For some families, securing a full-time nanny or sitter for the sole purpose of covering these hours just isn’t feasible. With a group of prescreened candidates, securing limited coverage can be possible and affordable.

3. For back-up care. What happens when your regular childcare provider calls in sick? Having access to a group of prescreened caregivers can increase your chances of finding last minute coverage and minimize the chances of you having to adjust your work schedule or take personal, sick, or vacation time.

4. For sick care. With strict regulations, many childcare centers and schools won’t allow a child to attend if they have even a hint of illness. Many in-home childcare providers are accustomed to caring for mildly ill children and having a group of prescreened providers can increase your chances of finding one that will.

5. For school vacations. Hiring a short-term caregiver for school vacations can be a great alternative to sending the kids to camp. When you’re networked with a group of prescreened caregivers, finding interest in such a position is easier.

6. For summer vacation. Even for parents who opt to send their children to summer camp, the logistics and transportation issues can make handling getting the kids to camp without assistance impossible. Hiring a prescreened provider to help ensure your children get where they need to go can be a solution to many working parents’ summer dilemmas.

7. For school closings. Schools close for many reasons other than holidays, including for professional development days and inclement weather. Many times while schools or daycares that follow the school schedule are closed, places of employment are still open for business. Having access to a prescreened group of pinch-hitting providers can make securing last minute coverage possible.

8. For holidays. Many employers don’t follow the school holiday schedule. Knowing you have prescreened providers you can call for coverage can minimize the chances of having to call in sick to the office or take vacation or personal time.

9. For parties and gatherings. Sometimes during formal or large gatherings, like weddings or birthday parties, having a prescreened childcare provider can help the guests and hosts better enjoy their time. Securing a temporary caregiver to care for and engage the children of the guests may mean the difference between other parents attending or not.

10. For meetings and appointments. From doctor’s appointments to parent teacher conferences, having trusted prescreened providers you can call on for occasional coverage can take the legwork out of searching for a caregiver when you don’t really have the time or energy to do so.

Gathering a pool of at least 5 prescreened childcare providers that are looking for occasional and flexible work can help you secure the coverage you need when you need it. When you prescreen providers you are not rushed and under deadline to do so, allowing you to take your time and do a thorough job as you devote your time, energy, and resources to learning as much as possible about a potential provider prior to making a hiring decision.