You will probably require child care sooner or later, whether you work full-time, part-time, or need a few hours a week to yourself. Be aware that you’re not the only one who experiences anxiety when leaving their child with someone else. Studies have shown that entrusting your child to capable sitters can benefit them socially, emotionally, and cognitively. More than 12 million kids under the age of five are enrolled in some form of child care.
What kind of care, though, is best for your family? There are several possibilities for parents who require some support (and time) to work and complete tasks, ranging from nannies to infant Daycare facilities.
What is ideal? Making a decision is a complex process. With the help of our child care directory and other tools, you may evaluate the costs of all the options to find care nearby. You’ll soon be able to unwind knowing that your child is in capable, caring hands once you’ve decided on the best course of action.
What choices do you have for infant daycare?
- Daycare Centers
Depending on the schedule options offered by the child care center, parents drop off their children (often babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers) at a daycare center for half or full days. These are frequently sizable facilities that classify kids into classrooms according to age, much like a school.
Daycare pros: Daycare is a terrific option if you have a job with regular, set hours. A scheduled day at a daycare facility includes time for your child to play outside, study, eat, and take naps. Socialization is a significant benefit. Early childhood education or a related profession is a degree that caregivers either pursue or have already earned.
Once your child is 2 or 3 years old, she can move to a more structured curriculum because some daycare facilities also serve as preschools.
Daycare cons: Many children do well in a group setting, but if your child needs individualized care or has unique requirements requiring extra supervision, daycare may not be the ideal option. It may not be the path for you if you think it would be challenging to learn that your potty-trained child had an injury or that the organic crackers you packed with care for her snack somehow never made it out of her tiny backpack. Additionally, even with a sibling discount, since prices are per child, they may be too expensive for families with two or more kids.
- In-home daycare
Family day care, also known as in-home or home-based daycare, is done out of a private house with one or two assistants depending on the number of kids and available space, and it is comparable to daycare centers.
In-home daycare pros: The kid-to-teacher ratio is lower in a cozy, homelike setting with fewer children, and it’s also possible to combine age groups, so siblings are more likely to stay together. Some home-based daycare facilities also offer more flexible schedules.
In-home daycare cons: Trust is essential since there is less supervision. In some cases, caregivers may not be required to meet as many educational requirements as those working in daycare facilities.
- Nanny
A Nanny is a professional babysitter who looks after all the kids in a family. A live-in nanny is an option for the (very few) parents who can offer a separate bedroom and bathroom; otherwise, nannies are referred to as “live out.” Some nannies’ contracts may include some modest housekeeping duties.
A nanny can provide individualized care and establish a long-lasting bond with your child. Most nannies prefer to stay with a family they enjoy for a long time, beginning with newborn child care and continuing as the child grows up and is joined by any future siblings.
Having a nanny has its drawbacks, including dependence. You will need to arrange backup care in case your nanny contracts a stomach illness or blows a tire. Over the year, your nanny will also require time off for vacations and personal commitments. If their absence doesn’t coincide with your vacation time, you’ll need to make arrangements for backup childcare.
