COVID-19 Is Changing the Nanny Industry, but We're Here to Help.

It may come as a surprise to some, but even before the onset of COVID-19, a study found that nearly half of families in the US reported having trouble finding childcare. Jump ahead to the height of the pandemic and beyond— the amount of families searching for childcare has risen to over two-thirds, largely due to COVID-19 related restrictions put on businesses and schools, resulting in an even higher demand for reliable childcare.

This increased need is why the nanny industry has drastically changed over the last several months. So, if you’re finding yourself in need of childcare, know you aren’t alone. Luckily, Nanny Harmony is here to help guide you every step of the way.

First, let’s understand why there’s such an increase in the demand of childcare.

Shortly after the beginning of the pandemic, most childcare centers were forced to shut down leaving families who has previously depended on those centers without childcare. Even families who depended on relatives to help with childcare were left with limited options when stay-at-home orders were put in place and it was discovered that seniors are considered higher risk, making it unsafe for older relatives to provide childcare.

While many childcare centers have reopened, many have not due to remaining restrictions including limited capacity, the financial burdens of the pandemic, low attendance, and families not wanting to risk exposing their children. Many childcare centers have also needed to rise prices due to the capacity restrictions— making it even harder for families to return.

For families with school-aged children, previously unneeded childcare is now sought after because of the rise in remote learning and parents either working from home or being part of the essential workforce. Whether their children are not returning to daycare, in school part-time, or doing total e-learning, parents are looking for help. That’s where nannies come in.

The demand is increasing, but the supply is lower.

With more families looking for childcare, nannies are being sought after more than ever, mainly because of their ability to provide individualized, in-home care. However, the supply of available nannies has gone down significantly due to COVID. May nannies are opting out of childcare work for their own healthy and safety, while others are finding alternatives for work so that they can work from home. That leaves fewer nannies amid the sea of searching families!

So, what does this mean for families?

Here at Nanny Harmony, we are constantly recruiting gold-standard nannies to match with families in need. We have adapted to and are accommodating all the changes in the nanny industry. We are here to make the process easier for families, not harder, especially with the high demand, yet low supply of nannies.

Our #1 piece of advice to families is to ACT FAST! NH makes this a quick, efficient process when matching nannies with families— simply, because there is no time to waste. When we find an extraordinary caregiver, we don’t want there to be even the slightest chance of you missing out on the perfect match! So, when it comes time to decide on your nanny, you can feel secure knowing we’ve got your back and you’re making a good choice!

We have everything you’re looking for!

Not only do we match families with nannies, we also provide Learning Coach© services. LC’s facilitate e-learning and supplement these hours with additional enrichment (i.e. a custom curriculum of hands-on activities, crafts, worksheets, exploring nature) on a part-time basis.

If you are seeking a full-time opportunity and would like to combine both tasks as a "Nanny + LC"—we have a solution for you, too!

Whether you’re looking for a nanny, LC, or both, you can be sure that Nanny Harmony only matches families with trustworthy, nurturing, and highly-qualified professionals who are passionate about childcare. Each candidate has special areas of interests and talents that we match with families of similar needs. Our candidates are pre-screened, must exhibit responsibility, excellent experience, and references.

We’re Here for you!

We understand parents’ stress and aggravation with the changes in childcare. Managing your children and their schooling, along with your work and responsibilities at home, all while taking the health and safety of your family into consideration, is definitely not easy. The pandemic has affected us all, even nanny agencies, but we’re all in this together, so let us help your family find perfect harmony with one of our nannies!

xx The Nanny Harmony Team