Unpacking 'The Nanny Time Bomb' with Jacalyn Burke

In this week’s episode of State of the Nanny, host Louise Dunham speaks with Jacalyn S. Burke, author of The Nanny Time Bomb, uncovering the deeper issues within the US, Australian, and worldwide nanny and in-home childcare industry.

Jacalyn shares her insights into the challenges faced by Nanny- Educators, particularly immigrant caregivers, in a sector lacking proper regulation and protections. They explore how societal attitudes, policy gaps, and power imbalances are affecting the lives of those who provide essential in-home care. This episode is a call to action for meaningful reform and greater recognition of caregiving as both a moral and social imperative.

Topics Covered in the Episode:

• The lack of regulation and protections in the nanny sector

• How immigrant Nanny - Educators are vulnerable to exploitation

• The shifting dynamics between families and Nanny-Educators

• Societal perceptions of caregiving and domestic work

• What meaningful reform in the industry could look like

• Why recognising the value of care is essential for social change

About the Guest

Jacalyn S. Burke is a qualified, experienced, and internationally renowned journalist and author. Her bestselling book, The Nanny Time Bomb, has been cited in academic research, reviewed in The New York Times, and featured in other bestselling works, cementing its place as a key resource on childcare and social justice.

Before writing the book, Jacalyn worked as a Manhattan nanny for 10 years while pursuing her U.S. citizenship - an experience that gave her firsthand insight into the realities faced by caregivers in the in-home childcare sector.

A Timely Discussion for Families and In-Home Childcare Professionals

As families continue to seek inclusive, professional in-home care, the need for reform and recognition of Nanny-Educators grows stronger.

This episode offers valuable insight for families, employers, and educators working toward a system that supports children and those who care for them.

🎧 Catch the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on the future of inclusive, professional in-home care.