Nanny v Daycare

Day Care vs. Nanny: Which Is Best For My Kids?

For most parents, there will come a time when they say a big hello again to the workforce. The question is who takes on the mantle and looks after your precious toddlers?

The two most popular childcare solutions are daycare and employing a nanny. Reaching a decision about what’s going to be best can be agonising. Much will depend on your personal circumstances but forewarned is forearmed.

Read on to find out what type of care is going to be the right fit for you and your little ones.

The Pros and Cons of Employing a Nanny

A nanny is going to do one thing that no typical daycare provider can. That’s to give your child constant attention and one-to-one care.

Many nannies hold qualifications in childcare and education. They can also offer help with housework and cooking, freeing you up to spend more quality time with your kids when you’re at home.

Here are some more key advantages of employing a nanny:

The potential for a high level of care and early education
A consistent routine for your child with someone they trust and enjoy being with
The chance of flexible nanny working hours to suit you and your lifestyle

No childcare solution is without drawbacks. Here are some of the disadvantages of employing a nanny:

Nannies do not come cheap and you could consider a nanny-share
The quality of nannies can vary tremendously
Nannies are employees, meaning you’ll have to comply with relevant legislation

The Pros and Cons of Daycare

Daycare centres employ qualified teachers and carers. At the moment, the minimum ratio is 1 adult to 5 infants, or 1 adult to every 10 preschoolers.

Centres typically offer balanced, nutritious meals. They can provide a loosely structured routine of outdoor and indoor activities. Your child will also be able to mix with others of a similar age.

Here are some more key advantages of daycare:

It tends to be a cheaper option
There will be opportunities for socialising and trying out new activities
They offer consistency even during school holidays

These are a few of the key disadvantages of daycare:

Most have strict opening and closing times
Daycare centres can be noisy and appear chaotic, which may not suit every child
The best centres can have long waiting lists

Weighing It All up

There’s a reason they say that “Nanny knows best.”

Part of a nanny’s job is to look after your child’s emotional wellbeing. The bond they form with your child will mean they are best placed to look after them whilst you’re at work. This can bring a sense of relief and reassurance.

If you are more relaxed, you will be able to influence your child’s development in a more positive way. It’s worth remembering nannies can support parents by running all sorts of errands. This kind of help can be worth its weight in gold.

Daycare centres may sometimes offer more opportunities for social interaction. Nannies too can meet up with other child carers and their children so that your little ones still get the chance to broaden their social skills.

We’d Love to Hear From You

The two biggest dependencies when considering the right childcare solutions for you and your family are likely to be time and money.

You may think that employing a nanny is the most expensive option but you should balance the costs against the many benefits it brings.

We are there to help you with all your nanny payroll needs. Get in touch with us now. We’d love it too if you could give us a like over on our Facebook page.

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