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. ***