Why Nannies Leave Their Employers? 

Ensure Child Safety and Find a Trusted Nanny With the Help of a Nanny Service Agency Chicago-based

Oh, yes! You have finally found an affordable nanny who will take care of your child while you are away. But here's the plot twist.

On the first day, she shows care, motivation, and initiative to do her responsibilities. After a week, you can feel and see in her eyes that she lost the motivation to work. After an hour, she said she wants to resign.

Sounds like a bad breakup, huh?

Here's Why affordable nannies quit

Like in a serious relationship, some employers want closure or find why the nanny they hired quitted without notification. Besides, learning why a nanny left will help them know what should be avoided when hiring a nanny, asking candidates, and what qualities they should look for.

To give you ideas why they left, here are the most common reasons, and take time to find out to solve these issues.

Workload and hours

Probably, the most common complaint among nannies. Working as a nanny full-time is exhausting. If your nanny did not get enough pay versus the hours she works, she would soon resign once she gets tired and feels unappreciated.

Salary vs. workload: not balance

Every job deserves a right salary--whether you work as a child worker, babysitter, or housekeeper, you deserve to be paid fairly based on wage law.

Sadly, not all employers are unaware of the wage of nannies. With that, it ends up with parting ways. People are currently coping up with the pandemic, especially parents. These are the people trying to stretch a budget. However, some are not knowledgeable about the fair rate and other services that should be paid.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, both exempt or non-exempt workers are entitled to overtime pay. Nannies and babysitters are domestic employees, and their type of work makes them non-exempt workers. With this policy, families, and employers are required to pay overtime to nannies and babysitters. 

Changing/unclear responsibilities

Some nannies have spoken up their reasons for leaving their employers--even they have an emotional attachment to kids they were caring for. 

Larissa Neilson, author of The LA Nanny Book said that even "caring for a child is the most amazing thing," the duties will drain your energy as caring for kids is not only watching and playing. There are more responsibilities, including cleaning, cooking, and even doing laundry.  

Miscommunication

This is the major reason for misunderstanding between employers and employees. Sometimes, both parties think they had to meet halfway, or everything is clear about the terms and conditions of employment. 

Unfortunately, once the job starts, some misunderstanding arises, especially regarding compensation, work hours, and responsibilities. Thus, ending up parting ways.

Homesickness

This is usually experienced by people who worked from their home states or countries. This emotional state may affect your sleeping habits, focus, appetite, and general health, according to ExploringYourMind.com. 

Some people cope up with homesickness. However, some are not because of health concerns. Thus, making them decide to go back home.

Feel Unappreciated

This feeling was experienced by employees who had spent services for more than two years, and yet, they did not receive any appreciation. Many nannies and housekeepers feel they were taken advantage of and unappreciated because despite the fact their duties are important, they did not get paid fairly. In some cases, they were mistreated, and their employers look down on them.  

What to do after nanny quits?

Whether you parted ways with animosity or none, some issues still occur after she leaves. This will not be easy. But it is better you have ideas on what to do and prepare yourself.

So prepare yourself and here are the things that you need to do.

File a leave: Not just one day but a week. Finding a nanny can't be done overnight. It is better you have extra days of leaves as you have no control over your fate when hiring a nanny. 

Hire a temporary nanny service in case you can't find one in one week.

Referrals from friends: these people only want the safety of your family and kids. They may refer you to the trusted nanny or advise you to go to the most trusted nanny agency in Chicago. Besides, if you can find the right candidate for the position, try to ask your family or friends to watch over your kids temporarily.

Consider hiring a childcare worker: Like a nanny, a childcare worker also takes care of the children while their parents are away. However, a childcare worker is employed in a childcare center, unlike a nanny who can work full-time in your home.

How to solve these issues: Seek help from a trusted nanny agency in Chicago like Karen's Nanny Agency

You can Google tips about solving these nanny issues. However, facing reality, you can't be an expert overnight or even in a month as it requires experience. Unfortunately, there’s a big chance to commit mistakes before you learn lessons about hiring a nanny.

Hiring a nanny may sound easy and simple. But in reality, for parents who have busy schedules with their jobs and businesses, finding time to search for a nanny is challenging. 

With that situation, they may consider asking their families or friends for referrals. But not all the time, their connections can give recommendations. Another option is to check a nanny service near the area.

Guide to Find Trusted Chicago Nannies

Let reputable nanny services find you the right nanny for your kids!

We hear you! Finding a trusted nanny is tough, and it takes time and energy. When it comes to ensuring child safety and keeping your home safe, most employers want referrals from their circle of friends, families, and relatives. But aside from that, another safe choice is the recommendation from a trusted Chicago nannies agency.

How to Find the Best Nanny to Ensure Safety of Your Kids

There are lots of options when it comes to hiring a nanny. However, finding a trustworthy nanny is tricky.. You may get candidates from relatives, friends, co-workers, or an agency. But before starting, here are the steps that you need to know before hiring.

Outline your needs and be specific

As mentioned earlier, one of the major issues, why nannies resigned is miscommunication. Some nannies are complaining about the job responsibilities that had not been discussed or agreed upon before they went aboard. 

So before talking to a candidate, take time to ask yourself the requirements you need for a nanny. Sometimes we are too confident that we can remember the things we need to discuss. However, during the discussion, there are things that we have forgot to mention until the interview finished.

With that, it is better to prepare a note containing the list of requirements and qualities you need for a nanny.

Clarify the job responsibilities

Oftentimes, unclear job responsibilities are the causes of misunderstanding between the employer and employee. Maybe during the interview, the job sounds so simple. 

Don't make the duties sound easy just to get a nanny. Always make sure to discuss the main responsibilities of a nanny so you could meet halfway. Or if she disagrees with the conditions and duties, it is better to move on to the new candidate and keep looking for the one fit for the job.

Be aware of the latest nanny salary

As mentioned earlier, low compensation is the major reason why a worker leaves a job. Since you already jotted down your needs for a nanny, check online the salary rate for the nanny service. 

It is also safe to ask the service of a nanny agency. The company is responsible for recruiting a person, but they help both parties meet halfway. Besides, it will inform you of the pay rate for the job.

Find candidates (yes, not just one)

Don't stick to one candidate as there's no assurance she will accept the job, or you will agree on the requirements. Ask for referrals from family, friends, or just talk to a nanny agency for candidates. 

Interview (basic questions that you should ask)

The questions should be based on your requirements. But here are the basic questions.

• What's your method of disciplining a child?

• How do you handle a kid throwing tantrums?

• Did you take classes in child care?

• Are you certified in CPR/first aid? 

• How do you discipline a child?

• Is it ok for you to complete a pre-employment background check?

Be true about your expectations

This is essential to every employee, so they know what to do and what should be avoided. Your expectations could be their goal every day.

Below, are the details they need to know regarding your expectations:

• Clarify the job description and schedule (Are they working full-time, part-time, or on-call?)

• Tell some details about your kids' needs and schedule.

• Tell the pay range. 

• Set benchmarks-what are the qualities you are looking for.

Check references

Yes, you need to check references and do the background checking if you want to ensure your kid and family's safety.

Checking their background doesn't mean invading their privacy. It is your right to know their previous employment. Ask a candidate to give you at least three references.

Consider trial week

Ask a candidate if she's willing to undergo a trial week. If you are satisfied with the service in one week and she's comfortable in working with the family, maybe you can hire her.

By the way, the trial run should be paid.

What do you need to know: childcare worker vs. nanny, what are the differences?

So you don't know if you should hire a nanny or childcare worker?

We need to explain some things here! Childcare workers are responsible for taking children and infants while parents are unavailable. 

Other duties are the following: 

• Ensure the safety of infants, toddlers, and younger children.

• Feed meals, supervise playtime, calm children down, and encourage nap times.

• Develop and create schedules and routines.

• Help children keep good hygiene.

• Organize activities to make sure children have enough physical activity, playtime, and rest.

• Be watchful for signs of emotional or developmental problems and bring them up to issues if there are any problems.

• Teach children about the world.

• Record children's progress, routines, and interest.

• For infants, care workers provide infants and toddlers basic needs like changing diapers and preparing their meals. 

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There are four types of child workers, and these are childcare center workers, family childcare providers, nannies, and babysitters.   

Yes, nannies and babysitters are types of childcare workers.

So the question now is, childcare center worker vs. nanny-which is the best?

What are the nanny's responsibilities?

It is common knowledge that nanny focuses on caring for kids--keeping them safe and healthy. Many parents prefer hiring a nanny because she functions as a primary authority figure while the parents are away or none of the family members are available to watch over the kids. Also, they can work in their homes either full-time or part-time.

Below are the tasks of a nanny:

• Making sure the environment is safe for kids.

• Bathing and dressing.

• Plan meals: prepare meals and feed children.

• Light housekeeping: organizing bedrooms/toys and does children's laundry.

• Play with kids (indoor and outdoor).

• Driving the children to school or playdates.

• Reading storybooks to the children.

• Help kids with their school homework.

• Only if necessary, nanny administers medicine to kids with parents' consent.

• For infants: changing diapers. 

• For toddlers: potty-training.

Childcare Centre Workers

Unlike nannies, childcare center workers are employed in facilities that include Head Start and Early Head Start programs. 

They often work in a team-based approach and may work with preschool teachers and teacher assistants when teaching children. They monitor and keep records of the children's progress, so parents are aware of the situation while they are away. They also prepare daily and long-term schedules of activities to help educate kids under their care. 

So who's the best?

Both! When it comes to choosing between a nanny and child care worker, it depends on your current needs.

If your work schedule is manageable and you have enough time and energy to pick your kids from childcare centers, you may consider hiring a childcare center worker.  But if your job requires you to travel abroad, or usually you come home late, it is better to hire a nanny.