Μake us preferred on Google Greece’s state-funded “Nannies of the Neighborhood” childcare program is facing delays and bureaucratic problems, according to parents and prospective caregivers who say the reality of participating in the scheme falls far short of government announcements about its success.
Participants report that approval and matching procedures between parents and caregivers can take months, while prospective caregivers must complete time-consuming and costly requirements, including medical examinations valid for six months and private first-aid training.
Months waiting for approval
MEGA journalist Mania Alivizatou said she encountered difficulties even before her application could be completed because the system did not recognize her new identity card.
“In my case, it did not accept my identity card. I had changed my ID, but it kept showing the old one, even though I had the new one in all the systems, so the application could not be submitted,” she said.
After the application was eventually submitted, Alivizatou said, her own application was approved before the caregiver’s. Her application opened about a month later, while the caregiver’s was not approved until roughly another month and a half later, delaying the process of matching them.
Prospective caregivers also say they have faced extensive paperwork and additional expenses.
“I found a mother in May, who completed her application properly for the program, and my application has been stuck,” said Vasiliki, a prospective caregiver.
“I got all the medical documents, and I had the first-aid certification from when the program reopened, but it still did not work. We paid fees to the police and the prosecutor’s office. We have done so many things and, really, nothing works. I am still waiting for my file to be approved, since May,” she said.
Subsidy loses value through deductions
The program provides a €500 state subsidy, but parents say the amount available in practice is significantly lower, at around €380, because of deductions associated with the employment voucher system, known as “ergosimo.”
As a result, parents may have to pay additional money out of pocket to cover the agreed-upon payment to the caregiver.
Another major concern is the delay in receiving the state funding. Payments are made retroactively every two months or even later, according to the complaints.
Olga, whose daughter found a caregiver through the program, said the caregiver began working for half of July.
“She started providing her services in July, but only for half the month. At the end of July, she was paid normally, exactly what the system calculated — the employment voucher, everything,” Olga said.
“At the end of August, she was paid €505. Today is September 5, and the money for July still has not been deposited,” she added.
For families living on low incomes, she said, the payment schedule can create serious financial pressure.
“With a basic salary of €900, when you give €500 for the Nannies of the Neighborhood program, on top of the other obligations you have, you are left with €200,” Olga said.
“And when there is a family, how is that parent supposed to manage? How will they make ends meet? The issue is about making a living,” she said.
Calls for changes to the program
Parents and prospective caregivers are calling for immediate intervention by the responsible government ministers.
They are seeking simpler procedures and are also asking authorities to consider having the state pay caregivers directly, rather than requiring parents to manage the payments themselves.
The complaints highlight what participants describe as a significant gap between the government’s stated goals for the childcare program and the difficulties they face in obtaining approvals, completing the required procedures and receiving the financial support.
