Daycare vs nanny

Daycare, for all the reasons listed above. I've had DD in daycare since she was 6 months (13 months now) and its the best decision we ever made. We had a rocky start (her teacher drove me nuts, she was sick a bunch) but now I'm so glad we chose daycare.

And screw your judgey mom friend.

Re: Daycare vs nanny

Daycare vs nanny

A nanny without a doubt BUT you need to really vet the hell out of whomever you choose and have cameras for oversight. If you find the right person though , it is wonderful. If you are worried about socialization you could always have the nanny take your DC to mommy and me / library classes and when she/ he is older do nursery school a few hours a week.

Daycare vs nanny

I just cannot trust a single person alone with my child unsupervised all day for a multitude of reasons but that's my issue. The extra eyes and regulations at daycare make me feel safer.

Also I don't believe that a single person or a class a few hours a week can offer anywhere near the stimulation and learning that a good program does.

Message edited 1/25/2017 12:04:22 PM.

Re: Daycare vs nanny

For when my children were babies...I had a nanny and preferred it that way. I wanted my children to be in their own home with their own things when they were so young. I also did not want to have to take them out every morning. I had a fabulous nanny that made my decision very easy. She rarely called in sick. When the children were sick, I was able to go to work because she could stay home with them. She took them to enrichment activities. Eventually at pre school age, they moved to daycare type setting.

It's a personal decision though. Go with what feels right for you and your children.

Re: Daycare vs nanny

When I was pregnant with my first I 100% wanted a daycare in part because of the socialization and in part because I was really insecure and thought daycare would be more like school and nanny would threaten my role as mom. My mom and boss both encouraged us to go with a nanny for various reasons. Well, we lived in NYC at the time and despite going on waitlists when I was 15 weeks pregnant needing care beginning when DS was 18 weeks old, we didn't get off any waitlists in time and had to go the nanny route. I am glad we did -- it was a lot easier for us to have him watched in our home v. dragging him out in cold/bad weather (especially without a car, etc) and a nanny provided many conveniences we would not have otherwise had with daycare. Plus, more flexibility with respect to hours and schedules. We moved to the burbs a year later and now my mom watches the kids, but we started them each at school at age 2 for the socialization as they didnt get a ton of time with other kids when with my mom. I see pros and cons to both honestly and would probably prefer a nanny initially and then daycare after that, but a lot really just depends on what is more convenient for you. I dont think there is a right or wrong answer. And they definitely know who mommy is no matter what

Message edited 1/25/2017 2:46:12 PM.

Re: Daycare vs nanny

Re: Daycare vs nanny

We've always used a daycare center for reasons mentioned by others: multiple sets of eyes, socialization, curriculum, etc. We also don't have family close by so other than my kids being sick, I didn't want to scramble for childcare due to a nanny's illness, vacation or sudden departure.

I think there are pros and cons to any childcare arrangement. Don't worry about your friend's reaction. Find the best situation that works for you and your family.

Re: Daycare vs nanny

Re: Daycare vs nanny

I wouldn't judge because there are pros and cons to both. I prefer daycare for all the reasons described by others. I like the structured setting, lots of people around, other kids to play with, etc. It's more transparent what's actually going on.

Daycare vs nanny

Growing up I had a nanny and she was freaking amazing. However I put my child in daycare. You hear such horror stories (with both - nannies and daycare) but I felt at a daycare there are more eyes and cameras. And also people burn out on the job, so I felt safe with a check and balance system. When she got older I liked the social aspect.

However at age 3 I moved her into proper pre k.

Re: Daycare vs nanny

I think that there are pros and cons to both at a certain age, but if cost was not a factor I would prefer to not send a baby to daycare. I don't think a child under 18/24 months needs more stimulation than a good nanny can provide. My nanny was probably way better than I was at keeping my kids busy and active. From age 2 up if you are working then you end up paying for a full time nanny and a preschool program so it gets really costly.

I do hate it when people judge thou. I am a SAHM and my sister in law is a working mother and my mother in law would constantly make comments about my niece and nephew's "school" (aka DAYCARE) and how I should consider sending my kids to something similar. I was a SAHM! Why on earth would I send my kids to daycare?!?!?