Nannies: they're not all illegal immigrants

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), July, 1993 by Janis Doty

Despite the headlines, a number of child care providers are highly trained professionals. Many had previous careers working with children.

There were 5,100,000 pre-school-age children in some form of day care in 1992, as well as 2,500,000 school-age kids, at an average annual cost of $4,100. With 46% of all mothers working fun time and another 17% part time, the need for adequate child care is critical.

In-home supervision is the most popular form of child care, whether by relatives or non-family members. One form that increasingly is popular with dual working parents is live-in child care givers. The role of the mother has changed. She often is a manager or a corporate president, but her priority remains her offspring. Therefore, in-home, one-on-one child care is her first choice whenever possible.

Day care is an option, but the centers rarely cater to the youngster's individual needs. While it is costlier to employ a nanny-governess, more and more of today's dual professional couples are deciding they can afford to pay a larger amount for child care to receive greater peace of mind.

For instance, Nannys Unlimited receives 30-40 inquiries each day and has clients from coast to coast. The nannies are selected carefully and trained thoroughly to meet the clients' individual needs. They also have much in common with today's mothers - 22-55 years old, many college educated, with a great deal of professional experience. After they are placed with families, the staff is available for clients and nannies to answer questions and help solve problems.

Nannies no longer are a Mary Poppins fairy tale. They are today's superior alternative for child care, but they don't come cheap. At Nannys Unlimited, for example, the cost includes a $3,900 placement fee and $1,960 per month, which is paid to the company. Up to two replacement nanny-governesses are offered at no additional charge. The nanny's room and board must be provided by the family, as well as an

In exchange, the nanny is responsible for the physical, developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs of the child(ren), can provide instruction when necessary, and is available to travel with the family when needed.

Not what most people

expect

Ann, Moreen, and Susan rise around 6:30 each morning, plan the day's activities to make best use of time, are expected to be on the job until 5:30 p.m., but often work late and come in on days off. They receive paychecks, performance reviews, and raises regularly, and are valued for their on-the-job expertise.

"People are amazed when they discover I am a nanny," says Ann, 29. "From television, books, and other sources, they have a preconceived idea of what a nanny is, and are surprised when I don't fit it." She adds, though, that she is a typical modern nanny.

"I consider my job as a nanny to be a profession," Moreen, 33, indicates. "The qualities and education required of nannies today are not easily acquired. You must go to school several years or have a great deal of prior professional experience in child care. Like any career, being a nanny takes knowledge, dedication, and expertise."

She points out that a nanny must be open to new experiences and change, with a strong background in working with children, "not just liking them." Being able to communicate openly, instill trust, and maintain discipline with patience and a sense of humor are essential.

"Families are paying someone they can completely trust with their children, " Susan, 24, notes. "They want only the best. This is not a babysitting job. I have too much knowledge to be considered a babysitter."

None of these three women expected to become nannies. In fact, they each had other careers working with children before making the decision to become one.

Susan taught for more than two years in a public school system and holds a degree in elementary childhood education. Moreen, with degrees in history and politics, also has teaching experience. Ann managed her own pre-school while earning a degree in elementary education and nutrition.

"Someone told me while I was working in school that I would be a good nanny," Ann explains. "The possibility had never occurred to me. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea." After graduation, she spoke with several nanny placement agencies prior to making her decision. She was a nanny for six years before leaving for two years of missionary work with children in the Philippines. After returning, she decided to continue her nanny career, and now works in Chicago.

Susan points out that she was unfamiliar with the nanny career option. "I went to college to be a teacher, and I was a good teacher for over two years. The system, though, is very political, and I became frustrated. That's when I decided to look into one-on-one care, where I knew the appreciation and influence would be greater."

"I could have no greater experience and no greater opportunities than I have as a nanny," Ann maintains. "The chance to live in different parts of the country, continue my education, and become a valuable part of a family's life are rewarding experiences."