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Most parents have been there: An important event, meeting or appointment — and no child care. Whether the regular nanny cancelled due to illness, needs an extended absence or a last-minute event popped up on the family calendar, it can be stressful to find backup child care. How do parents find an emergency nanny quickly, and how can parents trust someone they’ve just met?
As a working mom of three kids, Melissa Walthers has been in this jam many times. “It’s so hard to balance it all,” she says. Walthers is the Chief Marketing Officer at Upkid, an agency that finds substitute teachers for child care centers, who often face a similar issue when a teacher calls off. “Ultimately, the way many parents solve this problem is the same way that daycare centers do… they try every possible avenue to get care quickly, and sadly, sometimes can’t find the highest quality caregiver.”
Walthers adds that while this is a difficult problem to tackle, parents can take steps to ensure an emergency nanny is reliable and safe. “Not many people have a standby for these moments,” she says, which creates that “scrambling” effect so many parents dread. Finding an emergency nanny is a bit of an imperfect science, but here’s what experts say parents can do to find the best nanny possible.
Key takeaways
- An emergency nanny can fill in when a regular provider is sick, needs an extended absence or when family plans suddenly change.
- The best places to find an emergency nanny are via online platforms like Care.com, through nanny agencies and by recommendations from trusted neighbors and friends.
- To avoid a last-minute child care scramble, look for and vet potential emergency nannies well in advance — even before you actually need one.
What is an emergency nanny, and why might you need one?
There is no clear-cut definition of an “emergency” nanny, says Katie Provinziano, CEO of Westside Nannies. “An emergency nanny can be any number of things.” Sometimes it’s a backup nanny who is on-call if the regular provider is sick or a part-time nanny who might be willing to expand their hours in an emergency.
Even for parents who haven’t had to quickly find care thus far, Provinziano says it’s important to think ahead. “Build your village. Even if you don’t need emergency child care now, you may in the future.”
Some of the most common reasons families should have an emergency nanny or nanny service on hand are:
Illness
No parent wants a sick nanny showing up to work, but often a child care crunch means parents have to relax that boundary and welcome a nanny who is ill into their home. By planning ahead, parents can avoid this no-win situation. Conversely, a sick child may have to miss school on a day when their parent is not able to stay home with them. Some emergency nannies are willing to mask up and show up for sick days, too.
Medical Care
Even stay-at-home parents can have a medical appointment or emergency pop up quickly, leaving them scrambling for options (or having to drag their child along to the appointment). Having an emergency nanny lined up makes unexpected medical events a bit less stressful.
Unexpected Commitments
From jury duty to an out-of-town funeral, everyone — both nannies and parents — has last-minute changes in plans that require an extended absence or a change in routine without much advanced notice. Adding the child care scramble to a last-minute change of plans can throw parents into a tailspin.
These are just some of the reasons parents find themselves digging through their contacts and posting pleas to social media, says Provinziano. That’s why it’s better to think about an emergency nanny now — before you need one.
“Build your village. Even if you don’t need emergency child care now, you may in the future.”
— Katie Provinziano, CEO, Westside Nannies
Where to find an emergency nanny
When it comes to finding a nanny in a pinch, it’s best to explore multiple avenues at once. Walthers says parents should cast a wide net for the best results. “I suggest leaning on personal recommendations or tapping into local online parenting forums and social media groups,” she says. Beyond that, look to established networks of child care providers.
Whether parents are looking for last-minute child care today or trying to build a backup plan for future emergencies, the most common places to find an emergency nanny are:
Online Platforms
Online platforms like Care.com often pre-screen nannies and can help families connect with a caregiver that might fit their needs. Create an account and become familiar with these platforms now, not during a crisis. While many families use online platforms to find full-time child care, there are also many caregivers looking to pick up occasional or short-term work to boost their income or fill a need.
Nanny Agencies
Agencies like Westside Nannies exist in most cities and can be a great way to connect with an emergency nanny. The agency staff will have information on each pre-vetted nanny’s hours, availability and rate. Sometimes, a nanny awaiting full-time placement will be available for emergency child care, or a summer nanny may be back in town during a college break.
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Referral and word-of-mouth
For last-minute care, putting the word out is often very effective. Since parents are searching their own network, trusted friends can vouch for a particular nanny — a major perk of this route. Plus, parents never know when a trusted neighbor might have an emergency nanny contact to share, and many teen babysitters are trustworthy to fill in on an as-needed basis.
Social media
Similar to word-of-mouth, looking for emergency child care on social media has the benefit of relying on those you know for peace of mind. Many communities have Facebook groups dedicated to sharing local child care resources and helping families connect with providers. Other group members often vouch for nannies in the group when you’re short on time to call references, too.
How to vet an emergency nanny
The amount of prior preparation a family will be able to do with a new emergency nanny will vary depending on the situation.
For parents who need someone in a matter of hours, they may need to forgo lengthy background checks and reference calls. If you’re looking for someone to provide care during an event the following week or an upcoming extended absence for your regular nanny, you’ll have more time to hash out the details.
1. Ask vital safety questions
Even if there isn’t time for a formal, sit-down nanny interview, Provinziano says parents should ask questions to gather some basic information about the nanny, including:
- Has the caregiver worked with children who are the same age as yours?
- Are they CPR-certified?
- Do they have a driver’s license in case of emergencies?
If you have some time, it’s more than appropriate to ask in-depth questions as well. Avoid texting or social media messages once you’ve identified a good candidate for your emergency nanny — choose a phone call or video chat instead.
2. Rely on background checks and references
If you find an emergency nanny via an agency or a platform like Care.com, some pre-screening has been completed (though it’s always a good idea to also do your own). For parents who find emergency care via social media or word of mouth, that’s typically not the case.
Even in a time crunch, try to carve out a few minutes to talk to someone who has used the nanny previously. “One or two reference calls can make a big difference,” says Provinziano. For word-of-mouth or social media connections, rely on mutual contacts and friends’ opinions to make the best judgment call you can in atypical circumstances.
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3. Consider a contract
If you’re using an agency, at least a basic nanny contract will likely be required. But regardless of where you find your emergency nanny, it’s best to outline the terms of the arrangement in a simple document or email between both parties. In some states, emails can serve as legally binding contracts, but in all cases, they ensure that both the parents and the child care provider are on the same page.
Your nanny contract or agreement should include:
- Job duties.
- The length of the job.
- Pay information.
- Any applicable rules or expectations.
How much does an emergency nanny cost?
Emergency nanny rates will vary widely depending on the situation, scope of the work and your location. Additionally, some agencies and individuals will charge a higher hourly fee for last-minute child care arrangements, while others may charge their standard rate.
It’s best to have an open conversation about rates to ensure the professional is fairly compensated for their work. To get a feel for the average posted rates in your area, enter your city and state into the Care.com Cost of Care calculator.
How to prep your home for an emergency nanny
Once parents have found an emergency nanny, there are some steps they can take to ensure things run smoothly in their absence. Tasks like introducing the nanny to the kids and communicating important medical information top the experts’ list.
“We recommend you have a book, binder or PDF with all necessary info in it… Should you need to rely on new-to-you care, they have everything they need to ensure your kids remain safe.”
— Katie Provinziano
Help kids feel comfortable with the nanny
With a typical nanny setup, experts recommend spending time together with the nanny and parents, as well as short trial periods. In an emergency, that’s not always possible — so do the best you can.
“Having a quick video talk with a nanny before they come to your house can make a big difference,” says Walthers. You can also arrange for the nanny to come early so that the kids feel comfortable before you leave.
Suggest some favorite games, toys or shows to give the nanny an insider advantage at winning your kids over, too.
Make sure the nanny is ready for anything
A regular nanny knows the ins and outs of the family they work with, but someone stepping in for emergency care won’t have that information. “We recommend you have a book, binder or PDF with all necessary info in it,” says Provinziano. This should include:
- Information on allergies.
- Instructions for medications.
- Emergency contacts.
- Any must-knows about your household or routine.
“Should you need to rely on new-to-you care, they have everything they need to ensure your kids remain safe,” Provinziano explains.
One more expert tip for hiring an emergency nanny
While emergencies are unexpected, most families will experience a child care crisis at some point. It’s good practice to seek out an emergency nanny to have “on call” before you need them, says Provinziano.
“Connecting with a few caregivers, just in case, could make a world of difference down the line,” she concludes.
