For many parents, there comes a time when they have to decide what option fits best for their family when it comes to childcare not related to a relative. After all, with hectic schedules and work obligations, you want your child to have the absolute best care and attention possible. This often means deciding on either nanny childcare or daycare. While both have their supporters, it is ultimately up to a family which option fits better for how they would like to raise their child.

With daycare, there is the element of socialization, but for very young children, this is often not yet necessary. After all, there is plenty of time in kindergarten and beyond for your child to experience daily socialization, and often very young children benefit more from individual care. It is also helpful to think about your daily schedule. Do you need someone for just a couple of hours, or something more? If it is something more, nanny care is often the better option, since nannies can stay with children full-time or part-time, and often work hours aside from those when daycare centers are operating.

If you decide to choose a nanny but do not know where to begin your search, it is often very helpful to talk with a nanny agency. Finding a reputable one is often very easy, as there are resources available that list certified ones, and friends can help with references, too. If you are going to hire a nanny on a regular basis, which is the most helpful option for children, as they will come to expect the same person on a regular basis, it might be even more helpful to schedule an interview, where you ask the nanny questions ranging from how long they have been working to what their availability will be.

It is also important to consider the difference between a nanny who specializes in caring for babies and a child nanny, who is more used to not just providing care in the sense of ensuring that your child is safe and healthy, but also educational learning and activities. It does not hurt to consider the personality of the person you plan on hiring, either. Are you picturing someone closer to your own parents, sort of a grandmother figure, or someone who is younger and energetic but with less experience? These are all important factors.

If you are still interested in daycare, it is just as important to speak with different daycares to find out the differences in the service that they provide. Is there a lot of time to play, or more time spent on learning? Will it be a half-day, in the afternoons, or only intermittently? Talk to the different administrators and determine which fits better for what you envisioned for your child.

If nanny care is a better fit for your family, remember that finding the exact right nanny can take a couple of tries. A one-week trial period is recommended to see how your child and the nanny acclimate to one another, and if during this period, you think that someone else might be a better fit, there is no problem in making that decision. Sometimes nannies click immediately, and sometimes it is necessary to keep looking. Either way, know that you’re doing the best for your child’s development and happiness.

By: Steve Lampert

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