Hiring a nanny after having a second child?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the responses!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD is a year old and has been in daycare since she was about 6 months. We're considering having another baby and I'm wondering if there are any moms or dads out there who after having another baby have pulled their toddler out of daycare and instead hired a nanny to take care of both their newborn and the older child? We like the socialization she's getting from her daycare center, but financially it would make more sense for us to hire a nanny as opposed to paying for two children in daycare. By the time the new baby came she would be at the age that we would likely be moving her to a new center anyway, so she would be making a transition either way. Just wondering if anyone has done this and how things are going? Many thanks!

I did it. It was MUCH better for my older child. Daycare is exhausting! Daycare kids keep the same grueling schedule as parents. I simply signed my older up for half day preschool. There is no need for more socialization than that. My older got to have more downtime, more free play, and got to have some say in his day. He also got more varied experiences...different parks, swimming in the summer, little concerts, and went to various play areas. There is soooooooo much to keep them.busy of that is what you want. In hindsight I see no actual value in daycare. Luckily I SAH foe 18mos so my son was only in daycare foe a year. Even now we have an AP now that they are school aged.

[Anonymous]

we have a nanny for our 2 kids and they were in daycare temporarily when nanny was out for about two month recovering from surgery. it is much easier for the kids, particularly the infant, and me (drop offs/pickups at my office daycare was a huge pain getting everyone packed and ready, etc.) BUT there is no cost savings. in dc at a really popular daycare it cost almost $3000/mo for 2. We pay more for our nanny and she only works 40 hrs/wk. on the books (also factoring occasional overtime, gifts, gas and bonuses). should also add youngest was out sick 1/3 of the time he attended daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we have a nanny for our 2 kids and they were in daycare temporarily when nanny was out for about two month recovering from surgery. it is much easier for the kids, particularly the infant, and me (drop offs/pickups at my office daycare was a huge pain getting everyone packed and ready, etc.) BUT there is no cost savings. in dc at a really popular daycare it cost almost $3000/mo for 2. We pay more for our nanny and she only works 40 hrs/wk. on the books (also factoring occasional overtime, gifts, gas and bonuses). should also add youngest was out sick 1/3 of the time he attended daycare.

sorry, meant to say, easier for us w/ the nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our nanny has been able to give DS a much better "education" than he was getting in daycare - one on one attention and focusing on his interests (it is a lot easier to get him to enjoy a book if it is about trucks or baseball).

Also, our second child never had the illnesses that our first had in daycare. And when either child does get sick or just a mystery fever, neither DH nor I have to miss work. I also haven't had to do a stitch of their laundry (clothes, towels, linen) since nanny joined us!

But the nanny route was more expensive. We did it because it was best for our kids - not because it was a cheaper option.

+1 Our nanny take both the infant and toddler to storytime and Music Together as well as the park and various playdates. DC #1 is getting far more advanced socialization than he did at daycare!