Deciding between a nanny, daycare, or preschool can be an overwhelming decision. There are many factors to consider when making this important decision, such as cost, quality of care, and your child’s individual needs. To help you make the best choice for your family’s individual needs, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Daycare

Daycare centers are the most cost-efficient form of childcare on this list. The emphasis on care for working parents in a fun, play-based environment away from home. Daycares may offer developmental programs but, more often than not, do not follow a set curriculum. With daycares, however, it’s important to research the facility thoroughly beforehand to ensure that it meets your standards for safety and quality of care. In addition, ask them how they reinvest into their staff to continue to improve the care provided to your children.

Preschool

Preschool programs focus on learning foundational academic skills via a formal academic curriculum. These programs are run by qualified early education teachers. Every preschool follows its own educational philosophy that directs how they teach. It is important to research each one and ask teachers and administrators why their school’s chosen philosophy speaks to them. Another benefit of these programs is they can be happy median in price compared to daycare facilities and nannies. The downside is that these programs may not be available in all areas or may have limited hours depending on where you live.

Nannies

Nannies offer a personalized approach to childcare since one caregiver will be dedicated to your family. A nanny’s job is to partner with parents to bring their childcare skill set and use that to enhance the parent’s childcare approach and goals. This can include taking your child on more experiences in your community, focusing on social interactions via playgroups, or providing age-appropriate educational activities through play and daily tasks. This type of childcare also allows for more flexibility in scheduling than daycare centers or preschools. The downside is that nannies are the most expensive option on this list. In addition to paying your nanny their hourly rate, you will also be responsible for all supplies, taxes, payroll, and staff management.

Choosing between a daycare center, preschool, or nanny is not always an easy decision to make; there are many factors to consider before deciding which type of childcare is right for your family’s individual needs and budget restrictions. Ultimately, it is up to you as a parent (or guardian) to research each option thoroughly before making a final decision so that you can ensure that your child receives the highest quality of care possible, no matter what type of childcare program you choose. If you have more questions about how a nanny could benefit YOUR family, reach out to our team for a free discovery call.