3 Things to Know About Being a Caregiver in Chicago
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to celebrate the work and support that caregivers give their families. The month was officially recognized in the late 90s by President Clinton. Since then, each president has issued an annual proclamation honoring family caregivers in November.
Family caregivers are often relatives or close friends who care for their loved ones, and they often are not paid. A nanny may be classified differently as a child care provider, but both roles are very important to a family. And the job isn’t easy! In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, we’ve put together a list of things you should know about being a caregiver in Chicago.
1) Illinois is in the top ten for employed child care workers
At the last count in 2022, the United States had over 450,000 child care workers employed in the country. Out of that total number, Illinois had over 22,000, rounding out the top five list of states with the highest number of employed child care professionals. (Texas topped the list at over 45,000, while Delaware has less than 1,000.)
If you’re a nanny living in Chicago or nearby, that may sound discouraging. However, there’s good news! The projected number of annual job openings is pretty high in Illinois. Once again, the state makes the top ten list for projected employment due to growth and net replacement. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates about 4,000 annual job openings for Illinois, the tenth best in the country.
2) You’re not alone if you need support
One great thing about being a nanny in a big city like Chicago? You’re not alone. You can find support in other nannies and child care professionals, whether it’s online, in person, or both. If you’re new to the area, consider joining a local support group on Meetup or Facebook. The International Nanny Association also has a list of nanny groups with contact information on their resources page.
Being a nanny is a tough job, and sometimes, talking to other people in the same position can ease your stress and provide support. Plus, as a nanny, you’re around kids nearly all day. You can very easily forget to interact with adults! A nanny support group can help you unwind and recharge.
3) Chicago is a great place to live and work as a nanny
There are so many things to see and do in Chicago, both with the kids you care for and on your own when you need a break. Kid-friendly museums, aquariums, parks, historical sites, and events are plentiful in and around the city. There’s rarely a day you’re stumped for something to do with the kiddos.
And when you have a day off and you’re ready to practice a little self-care, the city has you covered then, too. Spend the day people-watching in Millennium Park. Take a quiet, relaxing walk on Lakefront Trail. Treat yourself to food or drink at one of the many delicious restaurants along Randolph Street. However you like to spend your free time, there’s plenty of ways to do it in Chicago.
Need a little extra help finding a great family to work for in Chicago? Let Sommet Nannies help. We’re a free nanny placement agency that is dedicated to connecting the best nannies with busy Chicago families. Learn more about our placement process and requirements by checking out the Sommet Nannies site now!
Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like ‘Nanny burn-out? We can help!’.
If you’re a family interested in learning more about our nanny services, head over here.
If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.