Home daycare, preschool, nanny- which is right for you? Check out our simple list of pros and cons to see what best fits your family’s needs.

Home daycare

This is care in a group setting in someone’s personal home. This center is licensed, and has somewhat regular licensing visits.

Pros

Often small groups

Possible expert within certain age range

Family Feel

Often the cheapest options

Cons

Less licensing requirements

If caregiver is sick/injured care could be disrupted

Might give less structure/enrichment to some age groups

Could potential have many adults in and out daily

Nanny

This is a single person who typically cares for 1 or 2 families in their home. This person can be hired through an agency, or independently by families.

Pros

Personalized caregiving

Very low ratio of adults to kids

Can help around the house with child related tasks

Can customize hours/days directly as needed

May be comfortable helping around the house

Cons

Typically the most expensive type of care

Could give less socialization

Not governed by any licensing body

If your nanny is sick or on vacation you’re responsible for finding backup care

Higher chance of nanny resigning or ending care

Preschool Center

This is a center outside of someone’s home, with multiple children typically divided by age into their own classes. They have strict licensing requirements and regular visits.

Pros

Strict requirements for care

No unexpected days without care

Multiple levels of experience for working through developmental problems

Multiple experts for you to seek advise or wisdom from

Continuity of care as child matures

Potential ability to care for multiple age groups, and thus multiple of your children.

Cons

Higher ratio

Potentially less flexible schedule

***Since there is so much variety in styles of care giving, it can be hard to list accurate pros and cons, we’ve done our best to imagine a generic version, and set pros and cons as we see them. ***