Greece Launches 'Neighborhood Nannies' Platform for Childcare Support

Greece is rolling out the 'Neighborhood Nannies' program, a new initiative designed to support working families by connecting them with certified childcare providers. The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family announced that the ntantades.gov.gr platform is now open for parents to select caregivers for children between two months and two and a half years old. This program aims to enable parents to work or seek employment with the assurance of safe and reliable care for their children.

Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, detailed the program's benefits in an interview. Parents who work full-time or are self-employed can receive vouchers of up to 500 euros per month, while those working part-time or actively seeking employment are eligible for up to 300 euros. Mothers registered with DYPA (Public Employment Service) can also participate without losing unemployment benefits. The program has already seen significant interest, with over 81,000 visits to the platform, approximately 1,500 final applications, and 650 caregivers already approved after document verification.

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From today, parents can log onto the 'Neighborhood Nannies' platform and search for the person who will care for their child.

Eligibility for parents is based on income criteria: an annual individual income not exceeding 24,000 euros for one child and 27,000 euros for two children. For families with three or more children, there are no income restrictions. Once a parent selects a caregiver and signs an agreement, the voucher amount is disbursed to the parent for the child's care. Notably, a family member, such as a grandmother, can become a certified caregiver if they meet the program's requirements and are registered. Each caregiver can look after up to three children simultaneously.

The Minister also highlighted specific adaptations for smaller islands, where finding available assistants can be challenging. In such cases, a relative may be permitted to take on the role under a clear institutional framework with control measures. This reflects the government's commitment to tailoring social policies to local conditions, ensuring that support reaches families effectively across different regions of Greece. The program is projected to assist between 4,500 and 5,000 children annually.

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It is a policy designed to address a real need: for a parent to be able to work or seek employment, knowing that their child has safe care from a certified person, close to home and the family's needs.