Whether you’re looking to embark on a new career, expand on one you already have or increase your income with a side hustle, back-to-school season, and the schedule shifts it brings, is ripe with hiring opportunities. In fact, there are more jobs posted to Care in August and September than any other time of year.
“As children start school, there is often a need for part-time, after-school nannies to assist with homework and engage in activities until the evening,” explains Kristen Szapka, founder and owner of A Nanny Match nanny agency in New York City and Boston.
Danielle Sadler, marketing director of Adventure Nannies, concurs that “back-to-school season presents a number of opportunities for professionals in the industry and beyond.”
“As children return to school,” she notes, “the demand for nannies typically shifts rather than decreases.”
That said, now is the perfect time to brush up your profile and take advantage of the season’s job availability uptick. Here, seven part- and full-time back-to-school season jobs to get ready for now.
1. Tutoring jobs
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“When school is back in session, homework becomes a significant part of a child’s routine,” notes Sadler. “Nannies with a strong educational background or tutoring experience are in high demand to support children with their school assignments and study habits.”
If you’re currently working as a nanny or sitter and your employer is looking to add tutoring or “homework helper” to your duties, be sure to amend your work agreement to include this task, as well as additional pay. Don’t succumb to job creep!
If you’re not a nanny or sitter, but you have subject matter expertise or maybe even a teaching credential, tutoring on its own is a great, flexible side- or even full-time gig — particularly since it can be done in person or online.
“Some families who had positive experiences with homeschooling or pods during COVID are working with private educators to assist their kids with homework, specific subject development, or perhaps catching up from gaps that were created during the school disruptions caused by the pandemic,” Sadler adds. “Other families like working with tutors on academic or STEM areas their children show interest and talent towards.”
Benefits:
- Flexible.
- Can be built into a current nannying or babysitting job.
- Can ultimately become a full-blown business.
Rates: Tutoring rates vary based on a number of factors, including experience, subject, grade level and location. The average posted starting rate for elementary tutors is around $22 an hour while test prep tutors (generally, the highest paid tutors) are posting rates up to $100+ an hour. In some instances — not all — online tutors may get paid up to $10 less per hour.
2. After-school transportation
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“Activities are in full swing in the fall, which can make transportation needs increase dramatically,” Sadler says, adding that, generally, transportation jobs are part of after-school babysitting or nannying jobs. “Families often prioritize nannies who will be able to take children to and from school, extracurricular activities, playdates and appointments.”
Not every family needs an after-school driver to be both a driver and a sitter, though. Carla Panetti, a mom of two in South Plainfield, New Jersey, just needed someone to pick her kids up from school three days a week and drop them off at various activities.
“Neither my husband nor I can get out of work in time to make it to school pickup,” she says. “My mother-in-law picked them up two days a week, but the other three they usually had sports or activities, so we just needed someone to drop them where they needed to be and then we picked them up from there.”
Benefits:
- Complements before-care sitting or night-shift work.
Rates: According to Care data, the average posted rate for after-school transportation is $16 an hour.
3. Before-school child care
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For dual-income households, summertime typically means sending the kids to camp, daycare or employing a full-time nanny. Once school starts up, some families only need care before school, Sadler notes, as one or both parents are either home in time for pick-up or the kids go to after-care.
In addition to helping the kids get ready in the morning, before-school babysitting may mean taking the kids to school or daycare.
Benefits:
- Consistent.
- Can complement another job, child care or otherwise.
Rates: Locations can impact the rate for before-school babysitters, but on average, sitters on Care.com post rates around $17 an hour. This does not include the standard mileage reimbursement rate.
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4. After-school babysitting jobs
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Whether you babysit during the summer or are new to the game, there’s always a need for after-school sitters come August and September. And while summer sitting often involves trips to the pool, after-school sitting, Sadler notes, “focuses on accommodating the school schedule and the additional responsibilities that come along with it.” Some after-school babysitting duties may include:
- Helping with homework.
- Driving to activities or playdates.
- Prepping dinner.
Benefits:
- Consistent.
- Complements college student schedules.
Rates: According to Care.com’s 2023 Cost of Care survey, parents posted rates for after-school babysitters, watching one child 15 hours per week, averaging about $275 per week or $18.33 per hour. Check out our Cost of Care Calculator to estimate the posted rates in your city.
5. Full-time nanny
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On Care, there’s a big uptick in job postings (25%) during the back-to-school season, and many families are looking for full-time nannies who can provide care during the day or starting after school.
Depending on the schedule, number of children, as well as their ages, duties for full-time nannies will vary, but can include:
- Meals.
- Rest or quiet time.
- Activities.
- School pickup for older kids.
- Homework help.
“Remember, each family’s needs are unique, and the best match will depend on the specific requirements of the role and your skills and experience,” Sadler says. “We encourage nannies to highlight their relevant skills and experiences, such as tutoring, driving, speaking different languages and any additional certifications, experiences or interests when seeking back-to-school positions.”
Rates: According to Care.com’s 2023 Cost of Care survey, the average posted rate for a full-time nanny caring for two children is $726 per week, or $18.15 per hour. Check out our child care cost calculator to estimate the going rates in your city.
6. Family assistant
Find personal assistant and errand running jobs
“With the hustle and bustle of the school year and a higher demand for before- or after-school hours, we talk to a lot of families who are looking for nannies willing to broaden their roles by providing more household support,” Sadler says.
“This can include tasks like grocery shopping, meal preparation, light housekeeping and organizing schedules,” she says. “This option is perfect for families who may only have 15-25 hours of child care per week but understand the importance of offering their nanny guaranteed full-time hours to make sure the role will be sustainable financially.”
In addition to running errands and maintaining schedules, household assistant duties may also involve:
- Pet care.
- Occasional house-sitting.
Benefits:
- More money than before- or after-school sitting.
- Flexible schedule.
Rates: While nannies post rates of, on average, $18.15 per hour for caring for two children, errand runners are asking about $17 an hour and personal assistants $19, according to Care data. Speak with your employer about what they — and you — think is a fair hourly rate and make sure it’s in your work contract.
7. Specialized caregiving
Find special needs caregiver jobs
According to Sadler, nannies trained to work with children with special needs are highly in demand at the start of the school year.
“For families with children who have special needs or learning differences, the back-to-school season can be a challenging time,” she says. “During this time of year, we actively recruit nannies with experience or training in special education who can provide tailored support to help these children thrive in the new school year.”
Benefits:
- Competitive pay.
- Rewarding work.
Rates: Rates vary by level of support needed, as well as location, but as an example, on average, caregivers working with children with autism are posting rates of $19 an hour, according to current Care data.
The bottom line
As schedules change, new jobs open, so being flexible — and ready! — is key. If you haven’t done so already, update your resume and profile and start putting feelers out there.
“The end of August and beginning of September present tons of job options, both in and outside of the child care industry,” Szapka says. “During mid-summer, parents and nannies are actively preparing for their September start dates, making it an important time for planning and coordination.”
