If you are a professional daycare or child care worker, you may be starting to hear news of potential layoffs in child care centers nationwide. And some of you may already be facing staffing cuts in your workplace or a very real layoff notification, through no fault of your own. Due to the impending effects of what experts are referring to as the child care cliff, a predicted 70,000 child care programs could potentially close (in addition to staff downsizings).
The child care cliff marks the abrupt end, as of September 30, 2023, to government funding that was provided to the child care industry during the pandemic. The result? A massive shift in the child care sector.
But there is some good news. Your experience as a child care provider is incredibly valuable, and your professional child care skills remain in high demand. There are other opportunities in the child care industry, as well as gig work options. Here are some child care jobs to keep your eye on, along with tips for showcasing your professional skills and strengths in order to score a new position.
What’s causing this upheaval around child care center jobs?
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, a pandemic-borne $1.9 trillion federal emergency relief bill that, in part, helped keep child care centers and daycares open and accessible to families. As of September 30, the funding expired, which experts project will force thousands of centers nationwide to let staff go, raise rates or close their doors completely, causing the child care cliff.
Without further congressional action, the Century Foundation reports 70,000 child care programs could permanently close, and the child care sector could lose more than 200,000 jobs. On the flipside, without child care, millions of parents will need to leave or switch jobs or cut their work hours in order to care for their children.
Read more: “What is the child care cliff?” to find out more about the child care crisis.
Child care job options beyond child care centers
With the projected closing of potentially thousands of daycares and child care centers, the entire scope of child care is likely to shift, which means in-home and other full- and part-time child care jobs will open up in other areas — and your skill set will be in demand. Here are two child care-related options beyond daycares and centers.
Nanny jobs
If there are fewer child care centers, families may turn to other options like in-home care (nannies) — and who better to care for children than a former daycare worker who has experience, games and activities at-the-ready and possibly credentials and certifications?
Nannies are considered a vital part of the family, as they’re invested in a child’s mental, physical and emotional development, as opposed to a sitter who generally focuses on short-term duties. In addition, nannies often work autonomously, helping families create schedules, routines, behavior tactics and more.
While traditional full-time nannies work somewhat standard hours (approximately 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), there are a number of options for anyone looking to get into the field, including working for multiple families as part of a nanny share* or working as a part-time nanny, night nanny or live-in nanny.
Each nannying job will differ slightly, depending on the family and children’s ages, but generally, nanny duties consist of:
- Creating daily schedules.
- Engaging kids in developmentally appropriate activities.
- Taking full responsibility of daily care for the children when families are at work or even out of town.
- Preparing snacks and meals.
- Transporting older kids to and from school or activities.
- Helping with homework.
Benefits
- Consistent hours.
- Competitive pay.
- Rewarding work.
Rates
The average rate for a full-time nanny caring for two children is $726 per week, or $18.15 per hour, according to Care.com’s 2023 Cost of Care survey. Check out our child care cost calculator to estimate the going rates in your city.
Learn more: The Professional Guide for Nannies, The Professional Guide for Nanny Shares
Find nanny jobs
Babysitting jobs
Even more diverse and flexible than nannying jobs — though generally offering fewer hours per family — are babysitting jobs. There are various opportunities for babysitters, including before-school care, after-school care, weekend sitters, overnight sitters and more.
As opposed to nannies who are invested in longer-term planning and scheduling logistics, babysitters are responsible for “here and now” care of children — think playing, taking kids to the park, changing diapers, helping with homework and doling out snacks. And unlike nannies, babysitters are traditionally paid only for the hours they work.
Every babysitter job will be determined by the family and the needs of their children, but generally, babysitter duties consist of:
- Playing and taking kids to the park or activities.
- Changing diapers.
- Doling out snacks.
- Putting kids down for naps or bedtime.
Benefits
- Flexibility.
- Lots of earning potential (if you work for multiple families).
- Enriching experience.
Rates
The average rate for a babysitter caring for one child for eight hours per week is $179 per week, or about $22.38 per hour, according to Care.com’s 2023 Cost of Care survey. Check out our child care cost calculator to estimate the going rates in your city.
Learn more: The Professional Guide for Babysitters
Find babysitting jobs
Job options beyond child care
Whether you explore an opportunity temporarily or it turns into longer-term work, consider choosing from a variety of non-child care jobs to pad your income:
Senior care jobs
Senior caregivers are always in demand, and your skills might be especially valued by a family who’s juggling care of both kids and older loved ones. Options include in-home care workers, live-in caregivers, home health aides (which will require specific training and certification) and companion caregivers. Rates vary, based on a number of factors, but according to Genworth, the average rate for a home health aide is $169 per day, and the rate for a companion caregiver ranges from $19 to $35 per hour.
Pet care jobs
Love fluffy four-legged friends? Dog walking or pet sitting may be a fitting (adorable) option for you. Tasks vary, based on animal type and needs, but, on average, pet sitting rates are anywhere from $13-$20 an hour. Dog walking rates are slightly less, ranging from about $10.75-$17.50 an hour. To find out the going rate in your area, visit our pet care calculator.
Tutoring jobs
Tutoring can be done in-person or online for a wide variety of grade levels. You might also start your own tutoring business. Rates vary, depending on grade, location and subject matter, but in the early stages of tutoring, you can set your rate between $20-$30 an hour.
Housekeeping jobs
House cleaning and housekeeping services are always helpful to busy families — and you have the option of either teaming up with an existing company or starting a house cleaning service of your own. In a top city for house cleaning (Seattle), rates average $23.25 an hour, while housekeeping services average $24.75 per hour. To find out what to charge in your area, visit our housekeeping rates calculator.
Other potential job options
Seeking other options? Check out “12 flexible ways for caregivers to earn extra money” to learn more about money-making opportunities like organizing, coaching and more.
A step-by-step action plan for finding your next job
Now that you know how you might be able to bring your in-demand skills to the table, it’s time to put yourself out there. From updating your online profile to nailing the interview, here are the steps to take in order to find your next job.
Step 1: Update your professional profile
To maximize your chances of getting a response from potential employers, be sure your professional profile is polished and recent. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your availability up-to-date?
- Do you have a fresh, friendly headshot photo?
- Does your bio share all your skills, talents and experience?
- Do you have reviews from previous employers?
Check out: 8 tips for updating your profile to score a coveted job
Step 2: Get the word out
Personal branding matters more than ever these days, and that goes double for professionals looking for work. Be sure to always keep your online presence professional — or private. Then, increase your visibility with prospective families by sharing your professional profile with friends, family and neighbors, as well as on social media.
Check out: How to advertise yourself as a professional nanny or babysitter
Step 3: Apply for jobs
In addition to having an online profile that promotes your skills to families, you can also directly apply for child care jobs, senior care jobs, pet sitting jobs and housekeeping jobs on Care.com.
Up your chances of getting the job by:
- Writing personal responses.
- Completing your background check.
- Listing any trainings or certifications you’ve completed.
- Responding to job requests promptly.
Step 4: Brush up on interview skills
When interviewing for nanny or babysitting jobs, give yourself an edge by:
- Mentioning the services you offer and certifications you have during the phone interview.
- Arriving early to the interview.
- Providing references with full names and up-to-date contact information.
Check out: 6 questions every nanny should prepare to answer
Step 5: Know the going rates
When it comes to salary, don’t sell yourself short. If you’re applying for a nanny or babysitting position, be sure you know the going rates in your area, along with other factors that can affect pay, which can include:
- Ages of children.
- Number of children.
- Duties, including household tasks.
- Driving to and from activities.
- Experience.
- Special skills, certifications and training.
Check out our child care cost calculator to estimate the going rates in your city. Also, be sure to learn why you need a written contract and the importance of getting paid legally.
Check out: How caregivers can — and should — earn a living wage
Step 6: Follow up
After you’ve met for an interview, consider following up immediately after, thanking your potential client for their time. Then, if 5-7 days have gone by and you haven’t heard back, follow up with a professionally worded note, reiterating your qualifications, and why you’re a perfect fit for the job.
Step 7: Know how to apply for unemployment
If you’ve been let go from your job, you can apply for unemployment benefits, as long as you’ve been paid legally in prior positions. Look up the steps for filing for unemployment in your state.
Check out: How to file for unemployment if you’re a caregiver
* Thinking about working for multiple families in a share? Be sure to do your homework: Nanny shares and shared care arrangements may be regulated in certain states and jurisdictions. Research local laws and regulations.
