13 Reasons to Quit Your Daycare Job and Become a Professional Nanny Instead
An increasing number of Early Childhood Educators in Canada are leaving the daycare world, tired of the difficult working conditions and stressed out from trying to make ends meet with low pay.
Instead, they are finding rewarding childcare positions working as professional nannies in private homes.
Keep reading to learn why!
Families prefer Early Childhood Educators
Many parents choose to hire nannies who have specific Early Childhood education and experience to give their children the best start in their early years. Even those families who could potentially place their children in childcare, prefer to hire a trained ECE professional to provide in-home, one-on-one learning experiences for their little ones.
Here are 13 reasons why you should consider leaving your daycare job and becoming a professional nanny for private families instead:
1. Nannying gives you the opportunity to continue using your education and expertise
If you have a diploma or degree in Early Childhood Education or Child and Youth Care then working as a Nanny is a wonderful way to make use of that education. Nannies are not glorified babysitters; they are caregivers, teachers, and a source of support and guidance for children during their most formative years!
2. Fewer children = more time to form quality relationships
When you’re working one-on-one with a child, rather than with a group of children, you are able to develop a special relationship with them. You will form a close bond that they will likely remember and carry with them for the rest of their lives!
3. Competitive Wages
Nannies with ECE diplomas and backgrounds in Education are currently being paid $25 to $35 gross per hour (as of June 2022).
4. Not paid “under the table”
As a Nanny, you are hired as an employee. You will receive a payslip, have taxes deducted from your pay, and receive a T4 at tax time. This also makes you eligible for Employment Insurance and other applicable government financial supports and subsidies.
5. Not required to do housekeeping
Nannies are not required to do housekeeping. Their primary purpose is to provide care for the child and ensure they are safe. Aside from tidying up after any meals or activities they may do with the children, Nannies do not need to do any cleaning for the family. In fact, many of the families we work with also hire housekeepers to take care of that.
6. Paid vacation and Benefits
That’s right, Nannies get benefits and paid vacation, often receiving anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks of paid vacation! Do you even need another reason to make the switch?
7. Health and safety
Working in a private home, as opposed to a daycare centre, means you’re exposed to far fewer bugs and viruses. You’re able to limit exposure and better protect yourself and any “at risk” people in your life, which is especially important in light of the recent global pandemic.
8. Appreciative parents
When you work for a family, the parents come to depend on you and regard you as part of the parenting team and family unit! You are invaluable to them and that level of appreciation sure feels nice.
9. More autonomy and independence
As a Nanny, the parents are your employer. But aside from that, you have autonomy and the ability to work independently without constant supervision. The family trusts that you know what’s best for the children so you can make decisions and plan around that.
10. No workplace politics
When you work in a private home, there’s none of the usual workplace drama. No conflicts with co-workers, unfair power dynamics, lack of cooperation and communication, etc. When you’re just working with the family, the structure is far more simple.
11. It’s free to register with an agency
Working with a professional nanny agency comes at absolutely zero cost to nannies! T.he families pay the agency a finder’s fee.
12. Opportunities for fun field trips and activities
Taking the children out for a field trip or even to the park for an afternoon doesn’t require extensive planning, waivers, and coordination when you’re just working with one family. Think of all the fun places you can explore and activities you can do with the children in your city! When the weather is nice, you get to spend the days outside in fresh air.
13. Worldwide travel (if that interests you)
Some families hire Nannies to travel or go on vacation with them as well. They cover the expenses and you have the opportunity to visit new places while also getting paid to do so!
Need more convincing? Here’s a testimonial from nanny Sarah M.
‘After graduating from George Brown College with my Early Childhood Education diploma I worked in daycare centres for 11 years. Initially, I was happy and I loved my job, but then I started to feel undervalued, underpaid and burnt out.
My friend recommended that I register with Nannies on Call/The Nanny Solution as a nanny. I ended up finding the most amazing family to work for. I work full time caring for the sweetest kids, who were 14 months and 3 years old when I started with them. We’ve become the best of friends and they are going to be in my wedding this year!
The parents and I work like clockwork and I really feel respected. I get 5 weeks of paid vacation each year, sick pay, and I earn $60,000 a year. Looking back, I wish I had made the switch to nannying sooner. I LOVE being a nanny!
Looking for a rewarding career as a professional Nanny in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto or Ottawa? Join our pool of extraordinary, professional Nannies for our in-home Babysitting service! Get started here.
We can also help you find a permanent nanny position via our sister site dedicated to full and part-time Nanny placements, The Nanny Solution.