What Is Backup Care?

Backup care supports parents during unexpected disruptions, such as emergencies or school closures, to their usual childcare plans. Corporate backup care and emergency childcare is a competitive benefit that many employers are beginning to offer their employees. Corporate backup care helps working parents stay productive and happy while never requiring them to miss work due to a childcare emergency again. Corporate backup caregivers are highly vetted and sourced from a larger network of qualified and experienced nannies and babysitters.

What Is the difference between in-home Backup Care and in-center Backup Care?

In-home backup care implies that a caregiver, such as a nanny or babysitter, comes to the family’s home to look after the child. In contrast, parents can drop off their children at a childcare facility with in-center backup care.

Is it common for employers to provide backup care benefits?

It is becoming more common for employers to offer corporate backup care benefits to their employees and it has become even more prevalent since the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, 9% of employers provided or considered child care subsidies while 7% offered onsite child care services, according to a May 2020 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). However, a recent study from 2018 conducted by SHRM, showed that only 4% of employers provided backup care benefits. As the pandemic disrupted our normal lives and impacted regular childcare, we have seen more employers start offering corporate backup care making it a common employee benefit. 

What is the screening process for backup caregivers?

At Philadelphia Nanny Network, we use a five-step screening process:

1. First, we conduct a phone screening with the candidate before inviting them for a formal interview. 
2. Second, the candidate must fill out a detailed application while we verify the candidate against the US Justice Department Sex Offender Registry.
3. Third, we conduct a thorough interview with the candidate.
4. Fourth, we verify references, education, and employment through comprehensive conversations.
5. Last, we work with a private security firm to check the following: Department of Motor Vehicles, National and State Criminal Records, Office of Foreign Assets Control, PA Child Abuse Clearance, and social security trace.

How to become a backup caregiver

To become a backup caregiver, you must fill out an application to determine if  Philadelphia Nanny Network is a good fit for you. Once completed, you will hear back from our team on the status of your application and next steps. 

For more information, visit our FAQ page!