It is a well known fact that the modern man and woman live in a world where combining parenthood, a successful career and a social life is an equal and achievable possibility. This is predominantly thanks to a countrywide private childcare system that caters for child-caring needs pretty much around the clock. The way this industry has come forward is a reflection of the Government's inability or unwillingness to provide a childcare system whilst insisting that parents must work. The reality is, for those that are not privy to a glittering career that brings in bug bucks, the employment system enforces a get back to work policy for those receiving state benefits. This poses a particular problem for single parents who cannot opt to stay at home. By being forced to take employment and hand over the caring of their child to a nanny or childminder, the single parent can expect to hand over a large proportion of their wage for the privilege. Sourcing a nanny agency is also a time consuming process. As there is no government body to regulate nurseries, their performance and suitability has to be assessed by the parent. The same is true of individual child minders. Although many are trained by a recognised body and can become registered though a local council, there are no regulations in place. By sourcing a childminder through a reputable nanny agency, there is at least an element of accountability and some guarantee a certain level of service will be delivered. This in no way suggests that child carers working outside an agency are not up to the job. I can personally vouch for a number of self employed carers that have tended to my little ones needs. The point here is that the agencies are providing a service that is not being provided by any governmental regulation - a vetting system. The success of any business depends on a good reputation, and a nanny agency is no exception. The vetting process that applicants have to go through includes a comprehensive assessment of skills, collation of references and compiling background information that may be relevant to the post. The agency uses this information in a database to match a carer to a prospective client. This is an ideal way for a parent to have the sourcing and vetting of aupairs and nannies done on their behalf, and to then interview the best match as determined by the agency. These agencies offer more than just the regular weekday child services; they also offer specialist services for more unusual requirements. Live in nannies, aupairs that help with housekeeping and night time chaperones are all areas that agencies cater for. The reality of the times suggest that the more our lives take on a multi faceted path, the need for ever more specialised childcare services rises. The provision of high quality regulated childcare should be something that the government offer to those that are required to go back to work and yet have no alternative arrangements for childcare. It is a misconception that these parents don't want to return to work; it is the assurance for the welfare of their children when under the full time supervision of someone who is essentially a stranger that is required. The private childcare system as regulated by the agencies needs to be adopted and offered to low wage workers through a government system, and until this happens, there will be an ever widening gap in the services available to working parents.
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