In-home Caregivers: Definitions
Nannies, Au Pairs, Doula, Baby Nurse, Mother’s Helper and BabysittersIn-home Caregivers provide care for children in the child's home. They include live-in and live-out nannies, au pairs, doulas, mother’s helper and babysitters. The state does not license in-home caregivers. There are no requirements that a caregiver hold documentation to work legally, have a background check of their criminal and driving records or have met health and safety conditions.
Why do Parents Choose In-home Caregivers?
Parents choose in-home care because they believe their children will be safer and more secure in their own home. They believe that if they employ the caregiver to work in their home, they have more control over the kind of care their children will receive.
Some parents find in-home care is a more convenient arrangement for the family and may provide more flexibility. If there are several children involved, they may find that in-home care is not significantly more expensive than other forms of care.
Some parents don’t have a choice. Only 3-7% of available slots in child care centers are for children from 0-2 years old. If you are a parent working an unusual or changing schedule, you may also not have a choice. In California only 2% of childcare centers and 29% of family day care centers open their doors before 6:30 a.m. and stay open after 6;00 p.m.
The cost of care by nanny averages $13-15/hour with an upward trend to $18-20/hr. Babysitters usually charge $8-10/hr. Doulas and baby nurses usually charge $25-35/hr. The cost of an au pair is $1,600 per month, including room and board.
This is an unlicensed and unregulated market! Literally anyone can say they want to care for children. Parents need to understand the market, know what minimum health/safety requirements are needed, how to obtain a background check of a nanny’s criminal and driving record, what their legal responsibilities are to Federal and State government agencies and evaluate applicants. For information about this form of care, parents should either attend a local workshop "How to Find a Nanny in the San Francisco Bay Area" by Alyce Desrosiers, LCSW or purchase the book Finding a Nanny for Your Child in the San Francisco Bay Area also by Alyce Desrosiers, LCSW. Ms. Desrosiers also provides personalized nanny placement services and can be reached at 415-331-NANI.