The Childcare that is Best for Your Family

Here are some pros and cons to different types of childcare.

NAEYC* Accredited Daycare

Pros: Socialization, open throughout the year, licensed and regulated, staff is trained in childcare, more affordable than a nanny for one child.

Cons: Not a 1 on 1 environment, won't provide sick child care, children get sick more often, rigid pick up and drop off times, expensive for more than one child, child is on daycare's schedule

Licensed* Home Based Day Care

Pros: Less expensive than daycare, home environment, smaller group than daycare, often can work with your child's schedule, more flexible drop-off/pick-up times

Cons: One caregiver to more children usually, no back-up if provider gets sick, less stringent licensing requirements, caregiver often has no degree in childcare.

Certified** Nanny

Pros: Nanny has a been trained in childcare, child is in their own home, child is on their own schedule, one on one attention, provides sick child care, will work with parents ideals, will take care of all child related housework, can drive the child to outings and school.

Cons: Child is less socialized, nannies are more expensive than daycare, no back-up if nanny is sick, lots of paperwork and taxes, someone else working in your home

Nanny Share

Pros: all the benefits of a nanny plus socialization and half the cost! 

Cons: Child may not be in their home, another set of parenting ideals to contend with, three-way communication, other parents may end their side at any time, no back-up if nanny is sick, more complicated than having your own nanny.

AuPair
Pros: Child will learn about another culture, often do light housework, you really get to know the caregiver, flexibility and convenience because they live with you, one on one care.
Cons: no household privacy, expected that they are treated like family (they spend holidays with you, etc), no in-person interview, they only stay for a year or two - can be hard on children, lots of paperwork and teaching aupair about the area (like how to use bus), may have culturally different views on parenting, not necessarily trained in early childhood education.

Family

Pros: Often free, in your home or a relative's house, 1 on 1 care, often there are shared values, sick child care, can drive child to outings and school

Cons: May not parent the way you do, hard to get them to follow your beliefs since they are family and not an employee. No employer-employee relationship. May not have a background or schooling in childcare

* NAEYC stands for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. A licensed home or regular daycare has to follow government standards for the safety of the children. Caregiver to child ratio, healthy meals provided, specific activities done to enhance both gross and small motor skills, safe equipment used, etc. There are unlicensed daycares, but I do not recommend them.
** A certified nanny attended nanny school or has some other degree in early childhood education. They know what to expect from working in somebody's home. They have years of experience and have made this their career. Often have already had background checks. A non-certified nanny is cheaper, but may be a gamble as they have no schooling in childcare and may not be certified in CPR.