This tip can help parents reduce pre-school chaos

It’s early August, my kids are back in school, and I’m already thinking about how I can repeat this whiplash-inducing routine year-round.

Our day starts at 5am with one child going to physical training before school and the other two getting up early in the morning to catch the early high school bus. Then it was time to get our elementary school kids up and out of the car, and finally, I rushed to kindergarten with my 3-year-old in tow.

Like any other exhausted parent in the morning, in the midst of the madness, I also made sure to have an ice pack with every lunch, filled water bottles, reminded the kids to pack their supplies, and tried to put into perspective the fact that we never had this: Having the right socks isn’t a big deal.

If our before-school chaos is at all understandable, then maybe you, like me, will be interested in learning about the growing trend of parents hiring preschool nannies to help ease this stressful time of the day.

What does a preschool nanny do?

Sean Lacey, general manager of child care at Care.com, said preschool nannies are helping parents simplify daily routines and eliminate morning chaos.

“This type of care is a game changer, allowing parents to focus on their own morning routine without the added stress of getting their kids dressed, fed, and ready for school,” he told us parents.

Lacey said his site has seen a variety of parents hire nannies to provide morning care as the back-to-school season begins in August. These include parents with 9-to-5 jobs and non-traditional schedules, as well as single moms and dads. Some caregivers may even have to leave home before their children go to school. Many people end up using these sitters year-round.

The types of before-school babysitting help responsibilities can include anything needed to make the morning routine go more smoothly, from making the bed to packing lunches, all the way to the end of the school day.

“It comes down to how to reduce morning stress for families so that kids can get to school on time and parents can meet their morning obligations,” said Laura Davis, owner of nanny provider Jovie, a nanny and tutor.

In fact, Davis said she’s seen caregivers do it all, from checking on homework at the last minute to starting laundry, unloading the dishwasher, revving up the saucepan and even running to the grocery store.

But of course, convenience comes at a price. According to 2023 Care.com job posting data, parents are willing to pay an average of $18.84 per hour for a preschool nanny.

Home care and door-to-door care

Lacey said parents are hiring nannies instead of looking for child care provided by schools or day cares because the care offers flexibility, convenience and personalization at home.

“When nannies come directly to your home in the morning, they are able to assist with tasks that cannot be done in a center. This personalized support can reduce stress in the morning and help parents and children start the day on the right foot.

Having you take care of it can also help parents streamline their commutes by eliminating extra stops, not to mention allowing sleep-deprived kids to get extra sleep during a jam-packed week.

Hire a preschool nanny

If you’re thinking about hiring a preschool nanny, the experts we spoke to offer parents the following advice:

• Make a list. Sit down and think about what you need and want from a preschool nanny so you can prioritize what to look for and ask during the interview.
• Be realistic. Most preschool jobs are in short shifts. With this in mind, create an interesting job description and allow the nanny or nanny to earn extra income. You can also offer to pay for a minimum number of hours per day.
• Discuss detailed shipping considerations. If relevant, ask potential sitters how long they have been driving, whether they have reliable vehicle and auto insurance, or if they are willing to drive your vehicle under your insurance coverage. Also, be sure to check their driving record.

“As for where to start looking, I would start with your child’s school. Maybe there’s a paraprofessional who wants to spend a few extra mornings on the road to work. They could even carpool with your child!” adds Davis.

Other morning care options

If you can’t afford a preschool nanny, there are other options. Celebree School Director of Education Kristen Miller wants parents to know that if you need help in the morning, preschool at your child’s school is also a good option.

“This is a space that your child is already familiar with, and it’s likely that many of their school friends will be attending,” she told parents.

A child care center may also be a good fit for your family.

“Always make sure the project is licensed by the state,” Miller advises. “If the project is accredited, that’s an added bonus, meaning the outside agency thinks the project is high quality.”