I preferred an in-home from age 4 months-2 years. There were 8 kids total, the place was walking distance from my house, the owner and assistant were amazing and they provided all the food except for formula. DD was the only infant there and she got plenty of love and attention. We put her in a center after 2 since it was a more structured program with kids her own age.

Anonymous wrote:I chose in-home daycare bc I didn’t want to manage an employee and deal with sick days/vacation.

Same. Also I didn't want to deal with ensuring compatibility with another family. We loved our in-home daycare, which felt the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a small home-based care environment, and the predictability of a center.

PP here adding that we've been at our in home daycare for 5 years total- our 5yo went there from 6 months-3 years and now our 2.5yo has been there her whole life. Our 5yo is currently on a gap week between camp ending and Kindergarten starting and I told her I could take off a couple days this week and do some special big kid things with her and she literally said "Mom, would you be mad if I actually just want to go to Larla's house (home daycare)? I really miss her!" so she's been there all week and is over the moon about it. Warms my heart they have another adult in their village that they love so much.

In home daycare

-Kids are out of the house and we both WFH
-The provider includes diapers, wipes, and food so I literally just bring my kids everyday
-Kids LOVE her and have a home away from home
-Much cheaper than nanny share
-Not managing an employee
-Not paying employer taxes, workers comp policy, payroll service, etc

You pick whatever option is best for your child,
not yourselves. Your child is the one having to
make a challenging switch of primary caregiver,
and not understanding why.
How old is your child?

How much do you love the daycare?
How much do you love the nanny?

I chose in-home daycare bc I didn’t want to manage an employee and deal with sick days/vacation.

If would depend on the home daycare that had sports and the other family and nanny in the nanny share.

Daycare.
I have done 3 nanny shares, they've all blown up in my face. Other moms be crazy and it's never "fair." You want the nanny share b/c you want a nanny. If you can't afford one to yourself then do daycare until you have 2 or more and it makes sense money-wise.

We’ve done nanny share in our home for a little over two years and we are very happy with it.

Help my husband and I settle our childcare debate. Which would you prefer - a nanny share or a small in-home daycare?