Understanding the current job market for nannies
As summer winds down and an uncertain fall lies ahead, families are making childcare plans for the new school year. In taking on the task of finding sitters, however, many parents are finding that it is harder than previous years. They just aren’t getting as many bites on their listings.
The pandemic and geographic upheaval of the last year+ have significantly altered the job market for nannies and babysitters in urban areas. 4.2 million people left the workforce last year and most of the job losses have occurred in the service sector. The New York metropolitan area lost over 100,000 residents, as people looked to escape close quarters or financially had to move back to family. A lot of those workers are not coming back to their previous professions or to the city, even as demand is increasing.
This means that all segments of the service industry are struggling to find enough employees to fill the demand. It is especially true for skilled, experienced workers. Parents are noticing the fierce competition over fewer candidates. It can be frustrating at a time when you are trying to cobble together the most helpful solutions for your family.
Why am I finding fewer candidates?
As a nanny agency that has been through many ups and downs in the nanny job market over the last decade, we understand what a tough time this is. Last year, we were helping nannies who had lost their jobs find safe, sustainable ways back to employment. This year, we are fielding calls from families tired of scouring the online listing sites, or frustrated by the low number of candidates right for their position. Sometimes the hiring takes longer than in previous years, when the end of August was a hiring frenzy of excited caregivers and busy parents who connected within days of starting a search.
At any given time, there will already be a limited number of candidates perfect for the role of your family’s nanny. Out of a large population of people, you are looking for someone who has the right childcare experience; then the right availability for your schedule; then someone whose personality is a good fit for the energy of your family. Add to that any requirements of specialized skills, location, or flexibility, and it’s an exclusive group of candidates who could be the right nanny for you. And when the population is smaller to begin with, the end results will be that much tighter after all the factors are applied.
Meanwhile, as an agency, we have already done a lot of the work in terms of screening applicants. We review their resumes, get to know them in interviews, speak with references about their skills, and gauge their fit with your family. So even though you may meet fewer candidates through an agency than in previous years, you can be sure that in a struggling market, we are still finding great caregivers to connect you with.
Our advice about hiring a nanny in 2021?
There are a few things you can do to make the hiring process a smoother, more satisfactory one this year. We certainly recommend working with a nanny agency; it reduces the headache of messaging 50 candidates and only hearing back from 2, or interviewing 28 candidates and losing them all to other job offers before you’ve had the chance to think it over. If a nanny agency sends you a candidate, that person has already gone through so many of the steps in a screening process that they just might be a great fit. It’s worth giving them a chance!
For a stand-out candidate, you can also consider ways to make your nanny job more competitive. With the realization over the last year that childcare is a truly essential profession, many nannies have seen their job become more professionalized. This has meant solid rates for their expertise, paid time off and health care contributions for regular, long-term jobs. These are all things you may want to consider when crafting a job offer. It ensures you reach top talent, and makes your job attractive to in-demand caregivers. You can always talk to your representative at a nanny agency about trends they’re seeing in the positions and how you can make your position competitive.
But most importantly
While we do want to encourage families to adjust their approach when hiring a nanny or babysitter in the current job market, one thing is important to note. A nanny is a person who works in your family, in your home, and who takes care of your most precious people. For this reason, you should never hire a person who you don’t feel good about. A reputable agency will never pressure you to hire someone you do not want to work with; you should be wary of any who do. Listen to yourself and your gut, and know how to best entice a stellar candidate when you find them. This way, you’ll soon be on your way to smooth sailing this fall – at least where childcare is concerned!
Do you have any other tips or questions about hiring in a hot job market? Join the conversation over on our Facebook or Instagram pages and let us know. For more information about everything childcare related, sign up for our newsletter. If you have specific questions in regards to your hire, we are always happy to speak with you directly. Please call us at (646) 396-0230.