Childcare 101: Nanny or daycare?

Let’s talk about childcare—and how much it’s going to cost. Hi {NAME}, Whether your parental leave is winding down or you or your parenting partner has decided to return to the workforce, you probably have childcare on the brain (along with diapers, nightly feedings, pediatrician appointments…). Should you hire a nanny? Is daycare more convenient? And, of course, how much is all of this going to cost? If you’re confused about childcare choices, we’re here to help. Let’s take a deeper dive into your different childcare options. [Care.com Daycare or nanny]( In-Home Care In this scenario, your family’s caregiver provides childcare in your home. While in-home care typically allows for the most flexibility, it’s also more expensive. [A nanny]( is the most common example. Nannies usually work for a family full-time (30-50 hours per week), take children on structured outings like to the park or story time at the library and maintain the child’s nap and feeding schedules. Though children most likely won’t have the same exposure to socialization as they do in daycares, many families prefer nannies because of the individualized attention, as well as the convenience of setting the schedule. This can come in handy when you know you have to stay late at work on Tuesdays. Plus, nannies come to you, so there’s no rushing to get you and baby out of the house in the morning. Another option? [A nanny share](. Multiple families employ the same nanny, who cares for both families’ children at the same time. While the overall hourly wage is higher to account for more children, each individual family pays less per hour than if they hired the nanny on their own. Some families choose an au pair as their in-home caregiver. They're similar to a nanny, though an au pair usually lives with the family whose child they are caring for and are found through a government-regulated cultural exchange program. You can learn more about [finding an au pair]( on Care.com. Flexibility is key for in-home care. Your family creates the schedule and determines how the nanny will care for your baby. Many families set up [a nanny contract]( which outlines everything from work hours to cell phone use to expected responsibilities around the house. And while in-home care does provide more flexibility, nannies still get sick leave and vacation time—and you’ll pay employment taxes—so don’t forget to plan for that. And when they need to use that time unexpectedly, you’ll need back-up care or have to take the day off. Now for the costs: according to a recent [Care.com survey of parents]( full-time nannies caring for one or two children earned about $565 a week. (Pay rates vary quite a bit depending on where you live.) Au pairs are less expensive, averaging $367 per week, though families are providing room and board for au pairs, as well. Out-of-Your-Home Care This childcare option typically falls into two categories: [Daycare centers and family daycares](. Daycare centers are licensed by state agencies that verify they follow proper safety and childcare procedures. Typically larger and with multiple teachers/caregivers, these centers offer lots of socialization—your little one will interact with kids of varying ages, so they’ll get lots of play time. Of course, with social time comes germs. We’re not going to lie—baby will probably get a lot of colds at first, but hey, at least they’re building up that immune system. Daycare centers also offer dependable care. They’re staffed normal business hours, so you probably won’t need to worry about them calling in sick. These regular hours can prove challenging, however, if you have an irregular work schedule or need to be at the office late. Also keep in mind that they’re closed on many holidays and usually take a few weeks vacation, specifically during the summer and around the winter holidays. Family daycares are run inside of a caregiver’s home and are typically smaller, with fewer children, that daycare centers. They have similar pros and cons of centers—you get socialization but germs, a fixed schedule and a lower cost. One thing to be mindful of with [family daycare]( want to make sure they’re licensed, so you know the daycare meets your state’s requirements for safety. So about that cost—[what will be you be spending]( if you go the daycare route? Childcare centers average $211 per week, while family daycare works out to $200 per week, according to the [Care.com survey of families](. Of course, there are many factors that may drive up the cost, such as where you live, the caregiver-to-child ratio and if they offer learning opportunities like sign language. Keep in mind, center-based childcare can fill up fast. We’ve known parents who put their child on waiting lists in their first trimester! So start your research now. Here are [interview questions]( to ask daycare providers as you begin your search. You can also search Care.com [to find a great daycare or family daycare]( near you. Use code BABYLIST20 for a 20% discount on a [premium Care.com membership]( which allows you to send unlimited messages to caregivers, read references and access background checks. [SIGN UP NOW]( Love and happy babies, Lisa and the BabyList Team [fb]( [tw]( [ig]( [pi]( Have questions or feedback? Just reply to this email. We LOVE to hear from our users. Too much email? [Unsubscribe](. [BabyList is made with love in Oakland. 825 Washington Street, Suite 237, Oakland, CA 94607]( BabyList's free site, apps, and emails are made possible by our sponsors. This is a sponsored email. We limit our sponsored emails to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.