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Q&A: Differences between a nanny and daycare?

I'm trying to make childcare plans for my baby once my maternity leave is over. How do I decide whether daycare or a nanny is right for me?

Re: I'm trying to make childcare plans for my baby once my maternity leave is over. How do I decide whether daycare or a nanny is right for me?

The Bump Expert

Both strategies have their pros and cons. Daycare is less expensive than hiring a full-time nanny, and baby will be surrounded by other children in a stimulating environment. However, no daycare center will be able to provide the level of personal attention that a nanny can.  Also, if you and your spouse leave for work early or stay late often,  it might be difficult to find a center to accommodate your hours. A nanny is more likely to be flexible -- provided you pay her for the extra time. Finding the “perfect” nanny is tricky, though. (Um, there isn’t one... but you can come pretty close.) The only way to decide what’s right for you is to visit a number of daycare centers and interview a number of nannies. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few options that work with your schedule and budget, go with your gut for the final decision.

Paula Kashtan | May 15 , 2009 2:43 PM

re: Q: Nanny vs. Daycare

I work at a daycare and personally I would say it depends on you and your personality. Are you the type of person that things have to be done at certain times like you have a real strict schedule or are you going to be a little lax (for lack of a better word) on some stuff? I work in the toddler room and some parents come in with all these demands and I have to tell them "I can't do that I have 9 other children besides yours and I can't always give special attention to one" Also I work at an extremely expensive daycare (in my opinion) and I think if you're going to pay that much you probably have a day nanny maybe not a live in one but a day one and they will be able to give your baby one on one care. Either way you're going to be paying a lot because at daycares like with nannies you have to buy/provide diapers, wipes, extra clothes, medicine, etc etc. Plus also think about it; with a nanny if it works out your baby will have the same caregiver until they go to school whereas with daycare by their first year, they'll start transitioning to new teachers every six months or so.

LadyNieto | August 21 , 2007 2:33 PM

re: Q: Nanny vs. Daycare

One other important issue: daycares are inspected and licenced by the state; there is no certification or licensure for nannies in this country. Also with a daycare you have other sets of eyes (i.e. those of the other parents); with a nanny, it's just whatever you see going on unless you use a nannycam!There certainly are advantages to having a nanny--more flexibility with hours, you get to choose your schedule, your toys, your crib, your rules...

iluvmadbiker | May 17 , 2008 4:49 PM

Q&A: Differences between a nanny and daycare?

I am so scared either way!!! My baby is 14 weeks and I am a stay at home mom for now. We were just talking about me going back to work but I really want to wait until she can talk. I know thats going to be a while but im just not comfortable leaving my baby with people I dont know. My friends cousin works in a daycare and they 'discipline' there kids. They pop them on the hands and stuff. This is NOT acceptable for my child! I would hate to see what would happen to the person that dared to put there hands on my child.

melharley | April 26 , 2011 9:46 PM

Q&A: Differences between a nanny and daycare?

I have been working in childcare for 15 years, 6 years as a lead infant teacher in daycare and 9 years as a professional nanny. Daycare centers and nannies do each have their pros and con's, I am more comfortable with nannying. Daycare is great, like someone else said here, for stimulation, cost, and the sense of knowing that there are multiple people with their eyes on your child at all times. Some of the downfalls of daycare include, hours, not much personal attention, and often afternoon teachers are young girls. Some pros of hiring a nanny are that your child will get one on one attention, they can be out during the day (getting fresh air at the park, socializing in classes, and going on playdates), a nanny will often assist you with laundry and other things around the house. The cons would be that when your nanny calls out you have to miss work, a good nanny can be hard to come by, a nanny will cost you considerably more money than daycare. I would say to start off by determining your budget.If you are still having a hard time from there you can start touring a couple of daycares and interviewing a couple of nannys to see where you feel more comfortable. This is a hard decision for everyone and you are not alone.... Good luck :)

Krzbizkit77 | January 25 , 2012 8:03 AM

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