Pregnant and overwhelmed with the concept of daycares, help!

[Anonymous]

Is it very hard to find a nanny without an agency? is fB a good source of nannies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it very hard to find a nanny without an agency? is fB a good source of nannies?

No, on the contrary, I would recommend not using an agency and using a community listserv instead. The OP is in an area with fabulous community listservs; people post recommendations for their nannies weekly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:nanny share or nanny. Easy-peasy. Post on you local FB mom group. I am a nanny doing my 2nd nanny share and we are all oh so happy with the arrangement. considering prices for infant care in DC centers (think 3k a month), nanny share is only slightly more expensive but your baby at least will take great naps, have uninterrupted bottles and virtually no illness. In daycare, prepare yourself for 2 weeks in and 2 weeks out sick, repeat.

This is not accurate, I have not encountered a daycare in DC that is $3k/month. My daycare, which is definitely on the most expensive end, was $2600/month. Nanny shares are much more expensive than daycares plus in my opinion more logistically complicated because when nanny needs a day off you don’t have backup. Obviously there are pros but there are also pros to daycare.

OP, just start touring daycares. You’ll learn quickly what you care about. Proximity to you is extremely important. If you can walk there it makes a massive difference.

Not sure which daycares you’re referring to but something like Bright Horizons was about $3300/month for infant care as of 2023. It’s probably higher now.

[Anonymous]

The logistics of nanny share are fine. Do what’s best for your baby.