As a working parent, it can be a struggle to figure out where to send your children while you’re away at work. Leaning on the help of friends and family isn’t always an option, and you’re likely left to choose some form of child care. This is more than okay—it’s completely normal! According to the Center for American Progress, around 25% of children under the age of 5 are in child care.
And while there are a lot of alternatives, most of them fall under the umbrella of two different categories: nannies (or babysitters) or some sort of day care program. But which one do you pick? There’s a lot to consider outside of just time and money—you want to consider not only what’s best for your child, but also for you, as the parent.
Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of hiring a nanny versus enrolling your little one at a daycare, so that no matter which you pick, you can breathe easy knowing that you’ve taken the time to make an informed decision for your child.
Enrolling in Daycare vs. Hiring a Nanny
Pros of Enrolling in Daycare
Licensed Providers
Reputable daycares, like Cornerstone Academy, only employ trained, licensed, and knowledgeable staff who are skilled in child development and safety. These caregivers are armed with years of education and experience, and know how to create a safe and nurturing environment for your child away from home. There will be no questions about whether or not your child is in good hands.
Structured Space & Hours
If there’s one thing you probably know by now after living with children, it’s that they work best while on a schedule. In fact, research has shown that a regular routine can support healthy social-emotional development and self-regulation skills in children. Daycares provide a structured schedule that you don’t have to worry about or come up with. As an added benefit, it better prepares them for the transition to school, since they tend to have the same structure as daycare.
Social Interaction
One of the most obvious benefits of daycare is that it provides your child with enriching social interaction that they may not get at home. When you hire a nanny, your child’s only peers are other children living in that home. Meanwhile, being at daycare surrounds them with other children their age, exposing them to different personalities and behaviors. Giving them opportunities to interact with other kids early on in life is imperative to the development of their social skills.
Teaches Independence
Away from the comforting lull of their home (an environment they may have gotten overly used to), your child will be taught independence. In a new place, surrounded by people they don’t know, your child will have to become confident in order to navigate the unknown space. It may be tough at first, but it’s critical for growth!
Tons of Toys, Books, Other Resources
Daycares are never short on fun! There is typically an abundance of toys, books, and other resources at a daycare that your kid might not have at home. These plentiful playthings allow children to explore new activities and games they might have never interacted with otherwise.
State Regulations
Daycares are legally required to follow state regulations that uphold high standards regarding safety, staffing, and sanitation within their environment. Whereas with a nanny, these protections over your child don’t legally exist. You can learn more about the Wisconsin Child Care Regulation Information to see exactly what protections are in place.
Generally Cheaper
This is probably one of the most enticing parts, but daycare tends to be cheaper than hiring a nanny! According to Care.com, the average weekly daycare costs about $321 a week, while hiring a nanny costs around $766 a week! That means you’ll save around $23,000 a year enrolling in daycare!
Cons of Enrolling in Daycare
Competition & Waitlists
High-quality daycares can get a bit competitive, as all the parents in the area will want to enroll their child there. Because of this, there can be waitlists to enroll. Depending on your situation, this may force you to choose a different daycare center that may not be at the top of your list.
Strict Sick Policies
In order to prevent the spread of germs, daycares often have strict sick policies that require parents to keep their children at home when they’re under the weather. As illness can strike suddenly, you may not be able to prepare accordingly and find someone to look after your child in time, leading to lost work hours.
Sometimes Inflexible
Whether you’re picking up or dropping off your child, running behind is stressful, especially when you have to stick to the strict schedule of your daycare. The flexibility of these policies usually depends on the unique rules of the daycare. At Cornerstone Academy, for example, we are generally flexible with drop-off and pick-up times if you are running slightly behind. We allow a 1-hour grace period for drop-offs.
Parental Stress
As a parent, it’s hard to drop your child off somewhere new and leave them under the care of strangers. And while they’re in good hands, it’s still normal to experience high levels of parental stress that you would not otherwise feel having them at home with a nanny.
Pros of Hiring a Nanny
Works With Your Schedule
One of the main benefits of having a nanny is the ability to have them when you need them, and not just between certain hours of the day or week. Need to run errands at a weird hour? Have the nanny come over! For the most part, you are the one who gets to decide when you need the care.
Personalized Care
Nannies provide one-on-one care for your child, which allows for a more personalized and focused approach to their development and well-being. Whether you have one or three children being watched by the nanny, it will be a more individualized experience. They’ll get to know each other on a more personal level, allowing your nanny to better navigate their emotions.
They Help Around the House
Some nannies may also assist with household tasks like meal preparation, laundry, homework, additional errands, and light cleaning. For busy parents who work full time, this can be a nice added benefit. It can give you more time to play with your kids when you’re at home, as opposed to doing chores.
You’re the Boss
Since you’re the employer, you have a say in everything. You get to decide how your nanny will work with your children, what days and times they will be at your house, and how much you will pay them. Generally speaking, you have more flexibility with hiring a nanny as it is tailored to not only your child but your needs as well.
Cons of Hiring a Nanny
Having to Manage Someone
Like we mentioned previously, you’re the boss. And while this is sometimes a good thing, it can also be a bad thing. You have to communicate everything with your nanny and discuss problem areas, communicate schedules, manage taxes and payroll, and, not to mention, make sure they are providing quality care to your child! This can be a lot to juggle alongside your job.
Lack of oversight
When you hire a nanny, you have no idea how they connect with your children or whether they are doing all you ask. There aren’t the checks and balances usually provided by daycares. (Because of this, some parents install nanny cams throughout their homes to avoid that lack of oversight. If this seems like an option for you, it is at your discretion to disclose the nanny cams.)
Tax-related paperwork
As an employer of a nanny, you will have legal responsibilities such as paying taxes, filing a W-2, providing benefits (if you agree to this), and adhering to employment laws. This could be an extra hassle to some busy parents, so make sure to do your research on nanny employment and taxes.
Generally More Expensive
As mentioned, nannies, on average, cost $766 a week, totaling roughly $39,832! And while everyone wishes they had unlimited money to spend on their child, this just isn’t always possible. It’s also important to note that the more responsibilities you ask for, the more you will have to increase the rate.
May Need to Provide Accommodations
If you have a nanny who needs to drive the children around, and they don’t have a car, you may need to provide them with one, or specifically find a nanny who can provide transportation. If you’re looking for an in-home nanny, they will need to have a place to sleep with furniture as well, which can be costly.
Need to Have a Backup Plan
If your nanny is sick, has an emergency, or goes on vacation, you need to have a backup plan. This isn’t always the easiest problem to solve if you have only one main nanny who cares for your child. At daycare, you will always have the option of child care. If our teachers at daycare call in, there will be an immediate replacement.
Enrolling in Daycare vs. Hiring a Nanny: The Conclusion
All in all, while both options are great for the development and growth of your child, they provide vastly different benefits. Daycare tends to be cheaper (nearly $23,000 a year in savings), promotes socialization, and has more oversight. Meanwhile, nannies are pricier, but are often more flexible and individualized. At the end of the day, it comes down to what works best for you and your child.
Explore Child Care Options at Cornerstone Academy
If you’re a working parent interested in exploring daycare options for your child, contact us today! We’re happy to schedule a tour of the facility or answer any questions. We offer both full-time and part-time enrollment options, and specialize in social and language development through art, movement, imagination, and (most importantly) play time!
