Sitter vs Daycare?

gmc222 · February 2013

DD is 19 months and currently has a very varied schedule:

Mon: with sitter

Tues: with my mom

Wed: with MIL

Thurs: with sitter

Fri: DH watches her

The sitter that she goes to is very convenient...she lives 2 miles from us and doesn't watch any other kids (although she has a 6yo who is in kindergarden). My concern is that DD is not with any other kids her own age, or at all really. I do have playdates with friends, etc., but thats it. DH and I have been considering a daycare program a couple days a week instead of the sitter even though it will cost more and is further away, but I think DD will greatly benefit. I would love opinions from other parents who work full-time on what they do and why. Thanks!

Jen0204 · February 2013

Have you looked into an in-home daycare? That might be more cost effective and allow you to get her the extra socialization you're looking for.

We had the girls with my mom and sister (and my nephew) from 12 weeks-~7.5 months. At that point we moved them to an in-home daycare three days a week. Now one day a week I bring them to my mom's so my sister and nephew can see them (and to get him some socialization, he's only 5 months older), one day a week my mom comes to us, and three days a week we bring them to daycare. I think it's a perfect schedule because they get socialization from daycare but also spend time with my nephew and my mom.

MollySm · February 2013

Another option is finding a babysitter that has their own kid/kids at home. I bring my daughter with me, while watching two little sisters. It's great socialization for all the girls, but you still get the athome feel if a babysitter. I know around here there seem to be lots of SAHMs who would be happy to just do a couple of days a week.

HeidiP14 · February 2013

If I were you I would see about finding a sitter with another young child. I'm sure you can find one on care.com or something or you could take DD to a home daycare which is smaller but she will still get socialization and its usually cheaper. I'm kind of in a similar situation b/c I'm home with my 16 month old now but the only socialization he gets is during weekly music class & story times. I nanny for school age kids after school but definitely plan to find a family with a younger toddler in the summer or work/take DS at a daycare center in summer.

MrsEllis10 · February 2013

I had this same concern as well, but I stay home with my DD's. I signed her up for The Little Gym and so she gets to have interactive time with other kids. She loves it!!

coachswife24 · February 2013

We have a sitter who only keeps our DD, and we don't have any plans of moving her anywhere until 2.5 or 3.

I think social interaction will come with maturity and time and honestly, I love her being the only one right now where we don't have to worry about things that come with daycares or playschools.

However, when she does get 3, we do plan on doing something to get her ready for Pre-K/Kinder. I'm a teacher and there is a daycare on campus for 3 and ups. We will probably do that. Other than that though, I love the fact that my little girl is getting her every need met - it's as if I'm a stay at home mom! I wouldn't do anything different if I were a stay at home. We see other babies her age, etc. during weekends and such.

HTH!

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