Daycare vs. Nanny

Bbtj

So I have been debating the option of having a nanny vs. daycare. I have 68 weeks of maternity leave then I have to be back at work. I think that is such a young age for a baby to be in daycare, but the cost of a good nanny in the Houston area would be 50 of my take home salary!! It's just me and the hubs here... All family lives 6 hours away. Anyone have suggestions? And when should I start seriously looking/interviewing if I am due June 24?

gault530

We have a daycare and always have for dd, but are considering a nanny for the twins. A nanny is comparable in price to daycare, so the price isn't our biggest concern.

I've been told to look 10 weeks before I need a nanny. Check out care.com.

ckettenb

We opted for a nanny share. Basically we share a nanny with another family. We each have a little boy, and the nanny watches both of them together. It's still expensive, but not quite as bad as paying for a nanny by ourselves. We looked into daycares but couldnt find a spot we loved. The boys LOVE each other and get to learn how to share, and play well together etc. so I feel like my son gets a bit of the awesome socializing aspect of daycare but with just 2 the boys and the nanny I know my kiddo gets lots of personalized attention. Child care is tough no matter what. Good luck.

JaimeCH

I think that it is definitely a personal preference. I've really enjoyed having DD in a center daycare. It is always reliable and is great for continuity as she ages and her needs change. I have a really great daycare and love all of the teachers though. If I were in your situation I would interview both and make your decision on what you feel best with. Your gut will probably tell you what you want to do.

Jtaxson

When DS was born, a wonderful new daycare center opened up and it was a perfect fit from us as we both had long commutes and the infant room had 3 babies and 2 teachers at 340 a wk, diapers supplied. Now, we've moved closer in and while the daycare our DS is doing preschool at is great at preK, there infant area is no comparison to where we were previously, and a bit more expensive. We wouldn't be able to pay for a professional nanny so it would likely be a full time babysitter, not primary English, etc. By doing a nanny share with another family, we can afford one with child dev education, CPR, first aid, etc. that makes me feel more comfortable, especially since there will only be one person in te house instead of a whole care team like we are used to with daycare. Like PP suggested, we are going to use care.com, gonannies.com, sittercity.com or a local forum dcurbanmom.com. Nanny agencies don't always perform due diligence, so I've heard, and are costly. Hope that helps!

bride05Jules

I myself am very torn. We would love a nanny and it would be a huge help when DH is on business trips. But not sure about the cost. Anyway my plan is to lock up a spot at one of the nearby daycares that we liked. Then interview some nannies about 3 months in advance.

Willubmine

Okay so while everybody has a unique perspective and their own opinions, I have been on most of the sides. I have been a nanny, and an in-home daycare provider, as well as a new mommy. I hope I might be able to give some different help.
As a new mommy I wanted my son to be raised at home - the "dangerous" world seemed a little less scary inside our home. We had a mommy's helper come in a couple hours a week when he was a newborn so I could easily shower and rest. I worked from home at that time getting my home prepared with the final touches of opening my in-home daycare. A mommy's helper is like a nanny only younger - she was 14, and terrific! 
As a Nanny I LOVED working in somebody else's home, but I felt pressured to care for their house while the baby was napping, and newborns nap a lot! I didn't get paid any more to be a house-keeper and that caused a little confusion and some resentment. If you choose a nanny make sure you set CLEAR lines about house-work expectations, and compensate accordingly. Your child gets more individualized attention, and things go more your way (you have MORE say in how your child is raised, and what they experience, during the day than if baby were in a daycare)Also I appreciated having a contract set up with BOTH sides of expectations on there. So as a Nanny I wanted a few "perks" - time off for doctor appointments, HOLIDAYS off, and any time the parents were home with the baby, I wanted off. As Parents the other side expected "Perks" too. Baby was taken out regularly, fed specifically, and detailed schedule followed. Be prepared to have a GOOD contract with your Nanny. It worked out. I have worked with 2-3 families as a Nanny before my son was born. It was great! 
Being an in-home daycare mom is good too, because I set the rules, to a point. The numbers are smaller so the ratio kid:adult is better! Meaning your child gets more individualized attention. Working with an in-home daycare setting you are expected to work WITH eachother. You are NOT the boss of the daycare, your way does not always get addressed. Working with an in-home daycare you will be on an equal plain as your provider. Neither party is better, worse, the boss, etc. SOMETIMES you can get your in-home daycare provider to bend a bit when you want cloth diapers, or certain bottles, or certain activities. 

Okay so that went a bit long. I guess what I am trying to say is there is no right or wrong choice, however one over the other is going to be a better fit for your family. If you go for a Nanny you have to be THE BOSS - hiring a nanny is not for wafflers! IF you go for a daycare, be prepared to stand up for your family, but don't hover and don't be the boss of your daycare - you will be equals! 

ocho2002

We do DC. With our first, a family member watched him for several months while we were on the waiting list. This baby will go to DC at 8 weeks. It is hard to send a small baby to DC because they WILL get sick. The first year is tough.But then they really don't get sick often and the socialization is wonderful. 

I prefer DC over a nanny because they are licensed, there is a curriculum, there shouldn't be any TV and there is constant supervision. If you have a nanny, especially someone you don't know, you never know what's going on. I know that its an exception that you get a bad one, but I would be a nervous wreck.

I find DC more reliable too. Its always open. Granted, you can't send your LO if they have certain illnesses, but if you're nanny wants to call off, she's going to call off.

Its a personal decision. Do what feels right for you. We are very fortunate to be able to send our kids to an amazing DC. My opinions would be different if we couldn't go there. 

AutumnOracle

We looked at all our options and the cheapest daycare was 1/2 my take home pay.  My best friend who is a stay at home mom offered to drive to our house everyday and watch our baby for free.  

Great price, but we really wanted to pay her(that way there was a work vs. friendship boundary)  So we are getting at home nanny care for a little over 1/4 of my take home pay.