This is a decision that most parents have to make. While some parents decide to stay home to care for their children, most decide to go back to work at some point. Especially during the Covid era, more families are deciding to hire a nanny in order to limit outside exposure. Some families have decided not to send their child to daycare because they are hesitant about having their young child wear a mask all day. There are pros and cons to each option and variations and choices within each option.
| Considerations Socialization Illnesses Transportation Schedule Individual attention Cost | Private Caregiver/Nanny Socialization with siblings Low risk of illnesses Nanny comes to your home Customized schedule to fit your needs Personalized care More expensive | Daycare Social interaction with peers Greater exposure to illnesses Child needs to be transported to center Standard hours of operation, typically between 7:30 – 6pm Teacher’s attention is split between at least several children Less expensive |
Private Caregiver
Families who are considering hiring a private caregiver will have to decide if they want a professional nanny who lives with them or lives out and commutes to their home each day. Some families decide to hire an au pair who commits to working and living with a family for one to two years in exchange for housing, food, and a stipend. If you are looking for a loving caregiver for your child we can help you find the ideal match.
| Live Out Set schedule but typically there is some flexibility with advance notice Privacy for the family and the nanny Separation and time apart a couple days each week | Live In May stay with a family for several years or long-term Often earns a lower salary than a live out nanny because they are provided with room and board Wider range of availability than a live out Lack of privacy Children may become very attached because the nanny lives with the family Must provide a private bedroom and bathroom for the nanny | Au Pair Lack of training and skills compared to a professional nanny Typically just a one or two year commitment Often earns a lower salary than a live out nanny because they are provided with room and board Wider range of availability than a live out Lack of privacy Children may become very attached because the nanny lives with the family Must provide a private bedroom and bathroom for the nanny |
Nanny Share
Some families decide that they want to participate in a nanny share with one or two other families in their geographical area. This can give children the opportunity to socialize with others outside of their immediate family while still ensuring they will receive personal attention from the caregiver. These groups are often limited to two to four children, but each family can decide what works best for them.
- Less expensive because the cost is split between two or three families
- Socialization with children outside of the immediate family
- Two or three families with differing dynamics
- Must transport children to designated house
Daycare
There are a variety of daycare options for families to consider. There are large childcare centers where children are usually grouped by age group and have multiple teachers in each classroom. Some families choose to send their child to a family daycare that is often less regulated and may have mixed age classrooms.
Childcare Center
- Social interaction with children of their age group
- Interaction with several teachers on a daily basis
- State and federal regulations
- Structured curriculum
Family Daycare Center
- Social interaction with mixed age groups and siblings can sometimes stay together
- Less regulated than childcare centers
- More flexible curriculum than childcare centers
- May be more affordable than a childcare center
Each family has to decide which type of childcare works best for their needs. Some families decide to use a combination of options or use a nanny when their child is a baby and then send them to daycare when they are a toddler. Others may send their child to daycare when they are younger and hire a part-time after school nanny once their child is older.