Nanny or daycare teacher - which job is better?

[Anonymous]

I'm a professional daycare teacher with an early childhood education undergrad and masters, and I'm currently working in a daycare centre in Poland. I have been an au-pair, nanny, and daycare teacher for the last 15 years, and have progressed steadily toward more and more responsibility.

Next year, I'll be moving to DC on a G5 visa for two years, but I'd like to look into applying for a work visa down the line. If I'm successful, should I be trying for a nanny or daycare job?

My impression right now is that being a daycare teacher would suit me better, but friends have said that nannies in DC can make more and have better schedules and richer experiences with the kids. Right now I'm responsible for 20 2-3 year olds, although I have experience with all age groups. I really enjoy designing activities, so that aspect of working in a daycare center appeals to me, as do the resources to acquire materials, toys, organize field trips, etc. But if the right family came along, I could also see that turning out to be great.

Any thoughts, tips, hints, would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Gosia

[Anonymous]

He high end nannies probably earn the most. However with your credentials, you could teach at a private preschool and also work in the aftercare and make an almost comparable salary. I don't think you'll enjoy daycare as much

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Private preschool is like daycare but associated with a private school? I'm a bit clueless when it comes to the US system.

[Anonymous]

Daycare teachers in the US barely make minimum wage and generally aren't respected and treated well. Long days and lots of job turnover.

Private or public preschool i a little better, more respect and better pay.

Nanny depends. Generally the pay is better, but again the days are long and many parents are not respectful.


I most enjoyed worked at a private preschool.


- done all 3

[Anonymous]

Private preschool if you can swing it - and you very well might! But I suspect you'll be happier in a decent nanny job than an average daycare job.

[Anonymous]

I have worked as an au-pair and a full-time nanny and now I work mornings in a private daycare and afternoons as a nanny. This last one is the best! I love having lots of kids, creating a curriculum and doing arts/music/etc with a whole bunch of kids, and I also love spending a more quiet focused time with my afterschool family (they're 6mo, 4yo, 6yo). I feel like I get the best of both worlds - and frankly I'm sure I'd be bored doing just the nanny kids and crazy just doing the daycare, one is not fast paced enough and the other one is too loud. See if you can swing the same, good luck

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Yes, daycare is loud, LOL. ? It sounds like I should start with a family while trying to figure out private preschools. I was guessing they would all be wanting UK or American citizens, though?

[Anonymous]

Also, I'm preparing myself for the culture shock of having (even) less respect from parents. My current job is not bad in that respect, but of course it could/should be much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daycare teachers in the US barely make minimum wage and generally aren't respected and treated well. Long days and lots of job turnover.

Private or public preschool i a little better, more respect and better pay.

Nanny depends. Generally the pay is better, but again the days are long and many parents are not respectful.


I most enjoyed worked at a private preschool.


- done all 3

Not true. My mother in law is a daycare "teacher" and makes $18/hr. She has an early ed degree. She also has pretty decent health insurance and gets 6 weeks off a year and unused vacation rolls over. She works at an onsite federal facility that is privately run. I knoe for a fact she has 8 weeks paid leave currently puled up.

[Anonymous]

Research the limitations on your visa before thinking of changing status to a work visa. Generally, people on G5 can not change to another non immigrant visa while in the United States.

[Anonymous]

Also I doubt a preschool would agree to go through a hassle of sponsoring a foreigner for a work visa when they can hire someone with all their papers in order. Not saying you shouldn't try but it's a long shot imo.

[Anonymous]

the only thing I can guarantee you is that you will not get a work visa to teach kids how to spell.

[Anonymous]

Being a nanny is better in every way - I know as I have done both! Plus with a degree and experience as a teacher, I am currently earning $27 an hour.