Just as many Americans were starting to feel normal again, a plot twist has been thrown into the opening scene of post-pandemic life: the delta variant. Deemed highly infectious by epidemiologists, the new mutation of the virus that causes COVID has many worried about what the upcoming months have in store — particularly babysitters, nannies and day care teachers working with children under 12, who aren’t yet eligible for vaccination.
The good news is, so long as you’re taking safety precautions, you should generally feel safe returning to work with kids (more on this in a bit). The bad news, however, is the delta variant is making way for potentially awkward and frustrating situations between caregivers and families. A way to mitigate awkwardness? Discuss everything (up front, if possible).
“Conversations between nannies and parents around COVID and the delta variant should be open, honest and ongoing,” says Michelle LaRowe, lead educator at NannyTraining.com and author of “Nanny to the Rescue!,” “Nannies should discuss expectations around COVID precautions while at work and strategies surrounding minimizing exposure.”
“Conversations between nannies and parents around COVID and the delta variant should be open, honest and ongoing. Nannies should discuss expectations around COVID precautions while at work and strategies surrounding minimizing exposure.”
— MICHELLE LAROWE, EDUCATOR AND AUTHOR
Worried about work when the kids are back in school? Here, experts weigh in on top caregiver questions about safety measures, setting boundaries and everything in between.
1. Is caregiving work as high risk as it was last year?
No, and that’s thanks to the vaccines. While there’s risk involved in everything (literally everything), caring for kids carries less risk than it did last year.
“With widespread availability of vaccines, we are in a much better position this year,” says Dr. Larry Kociolek, attending physician in the division of infectious diseases and medical director of infection prevention and control at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. “Although the emergence of delta variant has increased cases in the community, which increase the incidence of typically rare breakthrough infections, there is no doubt that vaccination reduces risk of becoming ill with and transmitting COVID-19.”
That said, if things don’t seem quite as carefree as they did a few months or even weeks ago, it’s because they’re not. “We’re still gathering data, but we know that the delta variant is much more contagious than others,” says Dr. Stephanie DeLeon, a pediatrician at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. “And because of this, we expect more children will become ill with COVID, especially since those under age 12 cannot be vaccinated.”
2. Are children more susceptible to delta — and can they transmit it?
Even though numbers are increasing in children, they’re not necessarily more susceptible to the virus.
“Because delta is so much more transmissible than previous strains, COVID-19 cases have increased significantly, particularly among those who are not vaccinated,” Kociolek explains. “Anyone who remains unvaccinated, both adults and children, are at relatively higher risk of getting sick with delta than they were when other strains were dominant and cases were relatively low.”
Kociolek also adds that anyone with COVID-19 is able to transmit, including kids, although “those with symptoms are most likely to transmit.”
While this may sound scary with school gearing up, schools that employed safety precautions were generally safe last year and should continue to be this year. “The layered safety measures schools took last year — masking, distancing, hand hygiene, etc. — should also be effective this year with the delta variant circulating,” says Kociolek.
“The layered safety measures schools took last year — masking, distancing, hand hygiene, etc. — should also be effective this year with the delta variant circulating.”
— DR. LARRY KOCIOLEK, ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, INFECTIOUS DISEASES
3. How safe am I if I’m vaccinated and my employer and their family aren’t? (Or vice versa.)
“Vaccination substantially reduces the risk to both children and other people in the home,” Kociolek says. Put another way: Unvaccinated individuals pose a higher risk of spreading the virus to other unvaccinated folks living (or working) in their household than they would if they had gotten the jabs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that people who are fully vaccinated can resume pre-pandemic activities — particularly if everyone present has been fully vaccinated. However, because delta cases are rising, they updated mask recommendations (see next section) to reduce the risk of being infected and possibly spreading it to others.
“Everyone needs to determine their ‘risk tolerance,’ as any activity with others outside your home carries some risk,” explains DeLeon, adding that, for kids involved in activities or who have playdates, outside is always best. “Outdoor activities with small groups of people that are distanced are relatively safe; indoor playdates and activities carry a higher risk,” she says.
4. Should I wear a mask?
“The best thing caregivers can do to protect themselves and families is to be vaccinated,” Kociolek says. “If unvaccinated, masking will significantly reduce risk to the children to whom they provide care. If vaccinated, masking may be of additional benefit, particularly if living in an area without low transmission in the community.”
“The best thing caregivers can do to protect themselves and families is to be vaccinated.”
— DR. LARRY KOCIOLEK, ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The CDC currently recommends masking for fully vaccinated individuals in the following scenarios:
- Indoors, in public, if you live in an area of substantial or high transmission (aka, a COVID hotspot).
- Outdoors, in public, if you live in a COVID hotspot, you’re in a crowded outdoor setting or you’re in close contact with people who are not fully vaccinated.
- Always in public, if you or a member of your household is in an at-risk group with an increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
The choice to opt into mask-wearing should be yours. “My family didn’t ask me to wear a mask, but I plan on [wearing one] in the fall even though I’m vaccinated,” says Kelly Jordan, a nanny in Winfield, Illinois. “I let them know a few weeks ago, and they were completely fine with it. In fact, I think they were happy.”
5. How can I best protect myself?
In addition to being vaccinated, Kociolek and DeLeon say the following safety precautions for both caregivers and families will reduce risk:
- Washing hands regularly.
- Masking when indoors.
- Staying home from work when sick.
- Having open communication about potential COVID exposures/quaranting until COVID is ruled out.
- Limiting social circles as much as possible.
- Conducting activities and playdates outdoors, if possible.
- Avoiding large gatherings.
6. How can I address delta concerns with my employer?
“Nannies should ask how COVID will impact their daily routines, schedules and activities to ensure that they have a clear understanding on what may need to be adjusted in response to the rise of the variant in their area,” says LaRowe, adding that both caregivers and families should consult the Association of Premiere Nanny Agencies (APNA) risk tolerance scale to figure out where everyone stands, as well as everyone’s comfort level.
“Schedule a quick phone call or sit down and play out a few scenarios together and figure out how you will handle them.”
— SUSAN DOWNEY, PROFESSIONAL NANNY
Susan Downey, a professional nanny of over 20 years, advises bringing up concerns about delta before they arise, if possible. “Schedule a quick phone call or sit down and play out a few scenarios together and figure out how you will handle them,” she says. Here are a few questions she suggests covering:
- What if someone is exposed?
- What if I am sick?
- What if the kids are sick?
- How will you cover a sick day situation and how will the pay work out?
“Just be blunt now to avoid hurt feelings when you are all under stress,” Downey adds.
7. How should I discuss sick leave?
Again, ask before a potential situation becomes a reality, if possible. “Express to an employer that with cases rising, it would be good to make plans in case you are sick,” Downey says. “While it is possible to come to work with a head cold, it’s not wise in the era of COVID. Because of this, ask if you can discuss a sick leave policy and get it down in writing.”
This being said, as LaRowe points out, it can be challenging to revisit employment benefits like sick leave after a position has started and before a renegotiation period arises. “With the pandemic, however, nanny employers may be more responsive to discussing sick leave even when the timing isn’t ideal,” LaRowe says.
8. Should I be expected to cover quarantine days if school is closed, but the child has no symptoms?
With the delta variant circulating, schools will be taking extra precautions — which means the potential for virtual learning. There are a lot of nuances when it comes to situations like this, but having a conversation before school starts (or closes) about what’s expected/what you’re comfortable with will prevent throwing anyone for a loop.
“What may work for one family and nanny, may not work for another, which is why it’s important to have these conversations up front,” LaRowe says. “For example, a COVID-vaccinated nanny who has no health-related concerns may feel comfortable working if the child has a school-related exposure. However, a nanny who is unvaccinated and has pre-existing medical conditions that put her at risk, may not.”
9. Should covering part- or full-time virtual change the pay rate?
Depending on your normal hours, being asked to come in for virtual learning may warrant a change in compensation, according to Downey. Again, though, it’s crucial this is figured out beforehand. “Sit down and negotiate this scenario before school starts,” Downey says. “There is a way for everyone to get what they need, but it comes down to good communication and compromise.”
“There is a way for everyone to get what they need, but it comes down to good communication and compromise.”
— SUSAN DOWNEY, PROFESSIONAL NANNY
LaRowe adds that, depending on what virtual learning entails, and if you’re already working the hours, it may or may not be part of your responsibility. “A nanny’s duties typically include all tasks related to the children, so asking a nanny to supervise and/or facilitate virtual learning seems reasonable, as it falls within a nanny’s scope of practice,” she says.
However, if you’re being asked to take on a bigger role, it’s a different story. “If you’re tasked with homeschooling, creating curriculum or teaching or being asked to work more hours to do so, a conversation should be had regarding these additional responsibilities, your ability and willingness to take them on and any pay adjustments based on this new need,” LaRowe says. “Ensuring a child logs into their virtual classroom may not constitute a pay raise, but a substantial change in job duties and responsibilities may.”
“Ensuring a child logs into their virtual classroom may not constitute a pay raise, but a substantial change in job duties and responsibilities may.”
— MICHELLE LAROWE, EDUCATOR AND AUTHOR
10. What boundaries should I set up front with the changing virus?
According to Downey, the pandemic is forcing caregivers and families to share things they never would have before — and while awkward, it’s important.
“While you don’t need to be specific, it is wise to share your levels of caution and to expect families to honestly share their thoughts,” she says. “It’s also smart to get on the same page as to how careful you are with unvaccinated kids. Parents make the rules with this, but you should ask lots of questions and make sure you are following these guidelines.”
Here are a few questions Downey suggests addressing up front with families:
- How cautious about COVID are you being overall?
- How many people are you seeing?
- Are you wearing masks in public?
- Are you visiting restaurants?
- Are you going to crowded venues?
LaRowe also notes that while parent employers set boundaries, it’s up to you to determine if you can work within those boundaries. “If a family asks a nanny to do something they’re not comfortable doing during the pandemic, such as traveling or visiting an amusement park,” says LaRowe, “the nanny should let the employer know.”
Finally, LaRowe recommends getting everything in writing. “In the case of additional duties and responsibilities that may arise with regards to COVID-related changes, nannies should work with families to create an updated or amended work agreement,” she says. “Doing so can help to ensure any changes are agreeable to the parents and the nanny and that the boundaries and updated terms are documented as a reference for both parties.”
