Posts Tagged ‘childcare’
Made In America
The magnitude of outsourcing everything from manufacturing jobs to customer service has been visible in this country for the last fifteen years, but for the in-home childcare industry, outsourcing has been prevalent since the Kennedy Administration.
Hiring an AuPair is truly the original form of outsourcing in America. An American family can easily hire an AuPair, pay her about half of what they would pay a local nanny and never pay a cent of taxes on her wages.
Wow! Sounds like a great deal…but at what cost?
Farmers who employ migrant workers argue that our U. S. citizens don’t want to do this type of work, but that is not the case with American nannies.
As we watch budget cuts continue to ravage the American public education system, each time costing educators positions and new graduates future positions, many still choose to remain in a field involving educating and caring for young children. They are American nannies and they have BAs and MAs in Education and Early Childhood Education — they have a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer children, yet they are not getting hired!
While the AuPair program is a legal cultural exchange program, it has been misused by American families as cheap childcare. The program was designed to bring European girls over to learn in America and receive room and board in exchange for some childcare.
I know several women with young children who got together and brought over a group of Mexican 20 year olds to be their “AuPairs” and work for dirt. I was at a child’s birthday party recently and heard a father, who happens to be one of the highest paid defense lawyers in St. Louis, bragging that he only paid his “Au Pair” five dollars an hour. I looked at him in disbelief and said, “Really? Your clients pay you millions and you can’t afford to hire an educated, qualified U.S., tax-paying citizen to care for your children? If you can’t be bothered to do that, you could at least pay your illegal nanny a fair wage and not one below the poverty level. Give her an opportunity to earn some benefits that we can all take advantage of!”
At that moment, he remembered that I owned TLC for Kids and excused himself.
I’m tired of hearing the dialogue that America doesn’t produce anything anymore! We do produce! We produce an educated, capable and committed workforce. I see women everyday who seek positions as nannies and they are experienced and passionate about it. The problem is that they are being passed over for a low-cost, less skilled and often illegal alternative. All in the name of saving a few bucks. I say it’s time to start valuing the American worker again. We can start by hiring them. So, with the big push for everyone to buy American, you can start by hiring American, and hiring legally.
Stephanie Graff
President
TLC for Kids, Inc.
tlcforkids.com
TLC for Kids, Featured Nannies of Summer!
Each time a new job is set up with a client, I am always proud of the credentials and experience of the nannies on our staff. Each nanny is professional and truly passionate about working with children and each are responsible for making TLC for Kids, St. Louis’ Premier Nanny Agency!
This inspired me to feature a few in this week’s blog post. Please give us a call if you would like to request one of these very special nannies!
TLC caregivers offer a fun, nurturing environment for your children, but their various backgrounds can offer your family so much more.
As you will see below, we have caregivers with extensive backgrounds in special education, neonatal care, multiple care, counseling, social work, sign language, physical and occupational therapy and nursing.
If you have any friends, family or colleagues who would benefit from access to caregivers with an extra specialty, please pass the word along. Please also give us a call if you want to request one of our featured caregivers.
Madeline B. is the mother of two teenage daughters and a 6th grade Elementary School teacher who has worked for TLC on the weekends and during the summers for the last 4 years. She enjoys working with children of all ages.
Ginger S. is currently a third grade teacher and has been working in the classroom for more than 10 years. She has experience working with children that have special needs, including: ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Down’s, LD, and developmental delays. She is very creative and energetic, and loves doing math and science projects with kids.
Erika A. has a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and has taught for ten years. She has worked with all ages, most recently with 3-5 year olds, in a classroom setting. She loves children and enjoys watching them grow and learn. Erika loves doing fun and exciting activities with children, especially sensory activities. She also has extensive experience working with children with special needs.
Jill B. is a mother of a three year-old and has been working with children for over 15 years. Jill is certified in Sign Language and is a Licensed interpreter.
Valerie K. is a graduate of NYU and completed her Masters in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She works full time as a Social Worker at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital and enjoys babysitting in the evenings, on the weekend and overnight. She has been babysitting, working as a camp counselor, ABT therapist and grief counselor for a combined total of 15 years. Valerie also has experience with multiples.
Debby L. has been a Neonatal/Pediatric nurse for 23 years. She taught CPR and infant care classes for 17 years and has experience with newborn through teens. Debbie has four children of her own and two grandchildren with another on the way!
Rosanne N. is a college graduate and has been working with children for over 25 years. She has raised three children of her own and has three grandchildren. Roseanne has worked in every facet of childcare from infant room aide to private elementary school principal. She is energetic and enthusiastic. She will provide a safe, fun, nurturing environment for your child.
Kim P. is a graduate student working on her Master’s in Education. She has worked for the Special School District in St. Louis, for two years in both Elementary and High schools. She is also trained in applied behavioral analysis (ABA therapy). She has been babysitting for over 10 years and has most recently been a summer nanny for an infant.
Colleen S. is a graduate students working on her Master’s in Social Work. She has worked as a full and part-time nanny and has experience with newborns through preteens.
Jenny M. is educated as a Secondary teacher. She ran a before and after school program for five years and has been babysitting over 10 years. She loves planning activities, going on outings and being creative. Jenny is currently going to Saint Louis Univeristy for a second career in Nursing.
Each temporary nanny goes through TLC for Kids extensive screening process and are on-call 24 hours per day!
Have a great week!
Thanks, Jessica