Having a baby is a wonderful experience but it can quickly turn into a string of decisions. When considering every decision your main focus will be on what’s best for your baby and your family. After all, as a parent, you have a responsibility to give them the very best possible start in life.
Potentially one of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether to choose a nanny or daycare. There are pros and cons to both and no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is what is best for you and your family.
Choosing The Nanny
A nanny will generally be more flexible and they are employed by you. That means that you set the work schedule and their duties. Providing this is clear before the nanny starts working for you, there should be no issues and it’s an excellent option if you don’t work traditional hours.
Your child will also benefit from one-on-one support. You’ll find that most reputable nanny agencies also offer babysitting services if needed.
Of course, to have a nanny you’ll need to have enough space for them to live, the majority of nanny jobs are based on a live-in contract. That does mean they need a space to call their own and you’ll find it difficult to ever truly be alone in your own home
A nanny is certainly a more convenient option as they can flex to suit your schedule and there is never an issue with running later for the daycare center. You may also find that your time with your child is of better quality because your nanny has taken care of all the basic necessities.
Of course, you will have to consider what you will do if the nanny gets sick or needs emergency time off.
Daycare
In contrast, if you choose daycare you’ll need to ensure that your child is always there at the prescribed time. This can be difficult if your hours are varied.
But, your child will experience more socialization when attending daycare. This is an important step to help them develop into well-adjusted adults. They will acquire friendships and learn through a variety of different methods. This can help them to get a head start in life and they will be accustomed to learning.
But, a daycare center can’t give you the babysitter you need for that evening office event. They also can give you the consistency that a nanny can. It’s been shown to be beneficial to children to have a nanny that provides them with a stable relationship, even if other factors are constantly changing around them.
Of course, daycare is generally cheaper than hiring a nanny and you may be able to offset some of the cost against government grants.
The bottom Line
Both have their advantages and their issues. The key to choosing between them is to imagine an average week with the help of a nanny versus dropping the child at daycare. It will probably be obvious which is the better solution for you and your family.
Wow, I had no idea that nannies can take care of your children when you cannot. I have a friend who’s busy with her office job, and she finds it hard to balance becoming a mother and working. Perhaps looking for one of these experts can help alleviate the stress from her back!