Rather than scramble when a nanny is not able to work, have a backup plan. If you work for an employer who offers flextime or remote working, you may be able to manage as an emergency child care provider. Some employers offer emergency child care services and some agencies specialize in sitter or backup child care.
Increasingly available in urban areas, some drop-in child care centers allow for unscheduled children to be cared for by daycare staff. You may be able to ask a family member, friend or neighbor if they would be willing to be an emergency backup. If you are a single parent, make sure you have an emergency plan if you get sick or injured and the nanny is unavailable.
“Child care is essential” according to Nita M. Lowey and Richard E. Neal who authored the Childcare Care for Economic Recovery Act during the Covid-19 pandemic. This makes sense as employers depend on employees who depend on child care. Whether a nanny gets sick, their car breaks down or they quit without notice, an unexpected lack of child care is often an urgent issue for the parents.
