Parents often find themselves juggling work, household responsibilities and childcare for their kids. This can leave many parents feeling overwhelmed, especially during the crucial after-school hours.
Full-time working parents can struggle sometimes to care for their children after school, thus after-school programs or daycare are a great option.
However, did you know that there is a solution to provide your child with personalised care in the safety and comfort of their own home?
You can hire a nanny in Melbourne to provide parents and families with essential after-school care and age-appropriate support. For busy parents, hiring a nanny provides their child with personal care and one-on-one attention while parents attend to their professional responsibilities.
Hiring the right nanny for your after-school care can be a game-changer in your family’s life.
Hiring a Nanny for Your Child’s Care VS After-school Centres
Afterschool care is just as critical for your child’s development as in-school hours. While many daycare providers and school programs offer structured and educational activities for children after school, it is challenging to cater to all children, especially across families and age groups.
Hiring a nanny in Melbourne after-school care provides your child with consistent care, individualised care and support, as well as age-appropriate activities to meet your child’s individual needs.
The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Nanny in Melbourne for After-School Care
Here are a few of the advantages and challenges in hiring a nanny in Melbourne for after-school care:
Personalised Care for Your Child’s Development
One of the major benefits of hiring a nanny for after-school care is that your child receives many benefits, including personalised care and one-on-one attention, tailored to the child’s specific needs and age group.
A day care centre often only provides group activities, whereas a nanny spends quality time with age appropriate fun and educational activities for each child.
Flexibility to Your Family’s Schedule and Quality Time
Usually, a nanny has more flexible hours, as opposed to day care centres that have set hours. This means that your nanny in Melbourne can work around your daily schedule as a parent, providing childcare services when you need them.
Similarly, you also do not need to employ a full-time nanny and can hire a part-time nanny who offers child care after school during the hours that you need them the most.
Transport and Accompaniment to Extracurriculars
Many professional nannies hold a valid driver’s licence with good driving skills and their vehicle. This means that while you are working, your nanny can transport your child from school and to other extracurricular, age-appropriate activities or social events for families.
Help With Light Housework and Preparing Meals
Most nannies offer to help with light housework related to childcare, such as prepping meals, laundry and light cleaning or tidying, providing extra support and assistance. With these tasks reduced, working parents can come home and spend much-needed quality time with their children without having to do these chores.
Familiar Environment to Reduce Stress and Boost Your Child’s Well-Being
Children feel safer, more secure and confident in their own home rather than a day care or after-school care centre. The consistency also encourages the child’s development and fosters their emotional stability. They can easily transition through their day knowing they will go home after school.
Nannies Cost More than Daycare Centres
Unfortunately, a nanny is more expensive than daycare centres or after-school settings because they typically do not receive the same child care subsidies. But the cost may not be much greater than you think. When you weigh up the benefits of having personalised care for your child in their own home, especially someone trained in early childhood education, it makes this investment much more attractive.
Furthermore, you most likely only require a part-time nanny in Melbourne for certain hours of the day, which also reduces the cost and can keep to your budget.
Certain Legal Obligations
Keep in mind that hiring a nanny does hold some legal obligations. Unless they are an independent contractor, your nanny must have a proper employment contract with their job role and duties. Costs such as their wages, paid leave and tax become the responsibility of the employer.
Finding the Right Nanny Can Take Time
There are many nannies looking for work in Melbourne. You can find a nanny independently or use the services of a nanny agency. You should still be mindful of the time it can take to find an appropriate nanny with specialised training and experience that is the right fit for your family.
How to Find a Nanny in Melbourne for After-school Care
Often, many families turn to a nanny agency to find the right nanny for after-school care.
When hiring a nanny in Melbourne, it is vital to consider someone with experience and training in early childhood education and development. The nanny must have a first aid certificate and undergo the necessary police and Working With Children Checks to show they are eligible and reliable.
A part-time nanny or au pair are great options for committing to the necessary hours and responsibilities for after-school childcare.
Look for a nanny with flexible hours who will meet all your expectations for school pickups and after-school care, as well as additional household responsibilities.
What About an Au Pair?
An au pair is usually someone from another country, such as an exchange student or visitor, looking for short-term work in Australia. They are a great solution for many families, though they require accommodation and board, which may not be feasible for some families.
Must the Nanny Do School Pickups and Extracurriculars?
One of the core requirements of an after-school nanny is to collect your child from school and escort them home or to any other scheduled activities.
This means that your nanny must have a license and a clean, safe driving record. It is also vital to discuss whether the nanny will use their car or yours and to arrange for insurance accordingly.
Conclusion: Hiring a Nanny VS After-School Daycare
When comparing a nanny vs after-school day care, you must consider all the factors such as cost, personalised care and flexibility.
Where a daycare is more affordable for many parents, they do not provide individualised care for your child. Hiring a nanny in Melbourne offers your child personalised after-school childcare that will positively shape your child’s life and developmental growth.
For many parents, this arrangement will reduce stress and maintain their child’s routine, while allowing them more quality time with their child in the evenings.
