Anonymous
01/09/2014 13:10
Subject: Re:Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
Daycare is more exhausting but the challenges are more rewarding. You get to actually use your degree. You see kids at different levels of development, group dynamics, build lesson plans, and its just more mentally challenging. You can "pretend" to do lesson plans as a nanny but it is so unnecessary and counter to child development anyway. Being a nanny can be great but don't play teacher for your own benefit, its silly and not what the job or child requires.
Nanny jobs have a lot of positives too. The freedom can not be beat. The pay and extra vacation time is a nice perk. I wouldn't want to be a live in for more than a year or two but this is a great option to try out living in an expensive or new area with less risk. If you find a family that travel, you can get to go places that you wouldn't normally afford. For live out jobs, you can sometimes have a job that lasts 4 years and you really get to know and love the kids.
Its good to have savings in place though when in a nanny job. You really can't predict going in which families will have a second child, which will switch to full time preschool, or which will move. Daycare jobs are far more stable.
Nanny jobs have a lot of positives too. The freedom can not be beat. The pay and extra vacation time is a nice perk. I wouldn't want to be a live in for more than a year or two but this is a great option to try out living in an expensive or new area with less risk. If you find a family that travel, you can get to go places that you wouldn't normally afford. For live out jobs, you can sometimes have a job that lasts 4 years and you really get to know and love the kids.
Its good to have savings in place though when in a nanny job. You really can't predict going in which families will have a second child, which will switch to full time preschool, or which will move. Daycare jobs are far more stable.
Anonymous
01/08/2014 18:30
Subject: Re:Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
I've done both and as others have stated there are definitely pros and cons on both sides.
The major con for nannying is the lack of adult interaction but if you join a play group esp one that has other nannys it's not too bad.
Yes, the jobs don't always last more than 2 to 4 years but then nothing lasts forever and good pay makes up for it. And I like the lower number of children.
You can still do lesson planning as a nanny. The lessons are just looser and tailored to the individual child. I used to run a little nanny play group and plan for them.
Hmmm... apparently I lean towards being a nanny. But I would work in daycare if I needed too without too much complaint.
Oh I just remembered the other nanny cons: no real "lunch break" or any other breaks and really long days. But still the pay and the freedom make up for both of those. Plus you build a real relationship, hopefully , with the family and the kids.
The major con for nannying is the lack of adult interaction but if you join a play group esp one that has other nannys it's not too bad.
Yes, the jobs don't always last more than 2 to 4 years but then nothing lasts forever and good pay makes up for it. And I like the lower number of children.
You can still do lesson planning as a nanny. The lessons are just looser and tailored to the individual child. I used to run a little nanny play group and plan for them.
Hmmm... apparently I lean towards being a nanny. But I would work in daycare if I needed too without too much complaint.
Oh I just remembered the other nanny cons: no real "lunch break" or any other breaks and really long days. But still the pay and the freedom make up for both of those. Plus you build a real relationship, hopefully , with the family and the kids.
Anonymous
01/08/2014 03:33
Subject: Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
I used to be a nanny and now work in a daycare. I prefer nannying. I've always been lucky to have great kids and parents who I got on well with, and here every month another set of parents goes insane and starts demanding unrealistic things, 'forgets' to pick up their child on time or sends in their kid with their brains leaking out of their noses. Being able to talk to other adults is great though.
Anonymous
01/07/2014 21:42
Subject: Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
I have my AA degree in child care & development, it's 20+ years old and I've done both teaching and nannying for longer. I loved teaching, but as I got older, it got harder. Caring for 12 or more with another girl for eight hours was physically and mentally exhausting. I hurt my back at work and knew if I went on workers comp. they could legally let me go because lifting children was in my job description. I decided I cold get a high pay nanny postion and things would be easier. I did, they were. I love being a nanny.
Major cons for nannying:
Easy to get screwed on hours, overtime, and a consistent paycheck or hours can be tricky to get.
You must negotiate everything, get an agreement.
You become a bit of an unappreciated housewife (your hard work goes unnoticed and becomes expected).
On your last day you walk away with a paycheck and that's all.
Jobs last 1-5 year, usually 2, then your looking again.
Teaching Cons
Exhausting! depending on state and ages you will be caring for many children. Diapers, biting, sick kids, behavior problems with children are stressfull, jerky parents, jerky co workers, jerky directors.
Unrealistic expectations from directors and parents.
Just the cons are an interesting way to look at it. I think that it comes down to your personal preferences and strengths, and weeknesses, and maybe where you are in your life.
Major cons for nannying:
Easy to get screwed on hours, overtime, and a consistent paycheck or hours can be tricky to get.
You must negotiate everything, get an agreement.
You become a bit of an unappreciated housewife (your hard work goes unnoticed and becomes expected).
On your last day you walk away with a paycheck and that's all.
Jobs last 1-5 year, usually 2, then your looking again.
Teaching Cons
Exhausting! depending on state and ages you will be caring for many children. Diapers, biting, sick kids, behavior problems with children are stressfull, jerky parents, jerky co workers, jerky directors.
Unrealistic expectations from directors and parents.
Just the cons are an interesting way to look at it. I think that it comes down to your personal preferences and strengths, and weeknesses, and maybe where you are in your life.
Anonymous
01/07/2014 17:57
Subject: Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
sigh....I knew it was coming.
nannydebsays
01/07/2014 16:07
Subject: Re:Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
Daycare Pros
More respect from friends and family. If you work in the 2s room or with older kids you get the title teacher or assistant teacher. People respect this far more than telling people you are a nanny. Pro
No housework or domestic tasks. Pro
Sometimes better benefits if its a center in a large company. Sometimes benefits are terrible. Pro/Con
Calling out sick is less of a concern. Pro
You get a real lunch break. Pro
More security. Unless you are late or call out all the time, you can keep your position year after year. Nannies jobs come to end anywhere from 1-4 years. Pro
More encouragement to get certifications and education. They want their staff to have child development and child care certifications, CPR, and some will pay, provide or even require that you continue your education. As a nanny it only makes a difference when searching for a new job. Pro.
Access to lots of materials, toys, art supplies. Pro.
Nanny Pros
Better pay and you get paid when you don't work. In daycare, hourly means hourly. No leaving early and getting paid. Daycare won't take an extra week off and give you pay. Pro
Lots of downtime and time to run your own errands. The less housework you negotiate the longer you get to do whatever you want. Huge Pro
Run your own errands. Pro
Meet up with other nannies that you choose. In daycare you are stuck socializing with your co-workers only. Pro
Free food. Most families will provide you with food for breakfast, lunch and snack. Saves a lot on groceries. Pro
Much less work. In daycare, you are working all day other than your scheduled lunch and breaks. 1-2 kids is a breeze after working in a daycare. Pro.
Freedom. As a nanny you get to do what you want to do. If you don't like being cold, the kids stay inside. If you like to walk around malls, the kids go to a mall. If you like music,the kids dance to music. Huge Pro.
If you get luck and find a family that takes lots of vacation and does guaranteed pay you get weeks and weeks of paid time off.
So basically what you think is that as a nanny you can try to do as little work as possible, get as much PTO as possible, and do whatever you want to do, including running your own errands and making daily plans around YOUR needs and desires.
Please, please stick to working in daycare. You seem to need the supervision, and no child deserves a "nanny" like you. You sound very self-centered and incapable of planning a day as a nanny that is focused on the needs and desires of the children entrusted to you.
P.S. Yes, working in a day care is hard. But so is working as a nanny if you do it correctly and responsibly.
Anonymous
01/07/2014 13:03
Subject: Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
I have done both as well.
I enjoy working at childcare centers because I get to do lesson plans and interact with adults as well.
But on the flip side there is always drama. I'm always watching my back for someone to throw me under the bus. I don't trust a lot of people when I'm working at a center.
I've now gone back to being a nanny. Because it pays way more and you only have to deal with that family and nothing else. NO other drama. Plus you can still plan your own things.
I enjoy working at childcare centers because I get to do lesson plans and interact with adults as well.
But on the flip side there is always drama. I'm always watching my back for someone to throw me under the bus. I don't trust a lot of people when I'm working at a center.
I've now gone back to being a nanny. Because it pays way more and you only have to deal with that family and nothing else. NO other drama. Plus you can still plan your own things.
Anonymous
01/07/2014 09:06
Subject: Re:Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
Daycare Pros
More respect from friends and family. If you work in the 2s room or with older kids you get the title teacher or assistant teacher. People respect this far more than telling people you are a nanny. Pro
No housework or domestic tasks. Pro
Sometimes better benefits if its a center in a large company. Sometimes benefits are terrible. Pro/Con
Calling out sick is less of a concern. Pro
You get a real lunch break. Pro
More security. Unless you are late or call out all the time, you can keep your position year after year. Nannies jobs come to end anywhere from 1-4 years. Pro
More encouragement to get certifications and education. They want their staff to have child development and child care certifications, CPR, and some will pay, provide or even require that you continue your education. As a nanny it only makes a difference when searching for a new job. Pro.
Access to lots of materials, toys, art supplies. Pro.
Nanny Pros
Better pay and you get paid when you don't work. In daycare, hourly means hourly. No leaving early and getting paid. Daycare won't take an extra week off and give you pay. Pro
Lots of downtime and time to run your own errands. The less housework you negotiate the longer you get to do whatever you want. Huge Pro
Run your own errands. Pro
Meet up with other nannies that you choose. In daycare you are stuck socializing with your co-workers only. Pro
Free food. Most families will provide you with food for breakfast, lunch and snack. Saves a lot on groceries. Pro
Much less work. In daycare, you are working all day other than your scheduled lunch and breaks. 1-2 kids is a breeze after working in a daycare. Pro.
Freedom. As a nanny you get to do what you want to do. If you don't like being cold, the kids stay inside. If you like to walk around malls, the kids go to a mall. If you like music,the kids dance to music. Huge Pro.
If you get luck and find a family that takes lots of vacation and does guaranteed pay you get weeks and weeks of paid time off.
More respect from friends and family. If you work in the 2s room or with older kids you get the title teacher or assistant teacher. People respect this far more than telling people you are a nanny. Pro
No housework or domestic tasks. Pro
Sometimes better benefits if its a center in a large company. Sometimes benefits are terrible. Pro/Con
Calling out sick is less of a concern. Pro
You get a real lunch break. Pro
More security. Unless you are late or call out all the time, you can keep your position year after year. Nannies jobs come to end anywhere from 1-4 years. Pro
More encouragement to get certifications and education. They want their staff to have child development and child care certifications, CPR, and some will pay, provide or even require that you continue your education. As a nanny it only makes a difference when searching for a new job. Pro.
Access to lots of materials, toys, art supplies. Pro.
Nanny Pros
Better pay and you get paid when you don't work. In daycare, hourly means hourly. No leaving early and getting paid. Daycare won't take an extra week off and give you pay. Pro
Lots of downtime and time to run your own errands. The less housework you negotiate the longer you get to do whatever you want. Huge Pro
Run your own errands. Pro
Meet up with other nannies that you choose. In daycare you are stuck socializing with your co-workers only. Pro
Free food. Most families will provide you with food for breakfast, lunch and snack. Saves a lot on groceries. Pro
Much less work. In daycare, you are working all day other than your scheduled lunch and breaks. 1-2 kids is a breeze after working in a daycare. Pro.
Freedom. As a nanny you get to do what you want to do. If you don't like being cold, the kids stay inside. If you like to walk around malls, the kids go to a mall. If you like music,the kids dance to music. Huge Pro.
If you get luck and find a family that takes lots of vacation and does guaranteed pay you get weeks and weeks of paid time off.
Anonymous
01/07/2014 07:23
Subject: Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
I have done both.
I have a degree to teach PreK and have for about two years. I love all of the kids and the hugs and watching their little minds grow. But, I HATED the pay and benefits are not the great (compared to what my NannyFamily offers me). I miss plotting out lesson plans and getting the thanks and praise from parents. This might make me sound a bit self indulged, but I am speaking of my personal pros and cons. What I miss the most: having coworkers. I miss having conversations with adults and making that connection daily.
As a nanny, I love the fact that I can sort of do my own thing (with a responsible discretion). I have a much closer relationship with one family rather than not-so-close relationships with multiple families.
As mentioned above, the pay and benefits are much, much better for me. I also get to work with different age groups as my Nannykids are five and three. I am also not "losing" kids every year like I would as a teacher. I get to grow with the kids and watch them turn into little people. I have been with my current NannyFamily for three years and I wouldn't want it any way.
I think both have pros and cons but it's just what you like.
Where are you located?
I have a degree to teach PreK and have for about two years. I love all of the kids and the hugs and watching their little minds grow. But, I HATED the pay and benefits are not the great (compared to what my NannyFamily offers me). I miss plotting out lesson plans and getting the thanks and praise from parents. This might make me sound a bit self indulged, but I am speaking of my personal pros and cons. What I miss the most: having coworkers. I miss having conversations with adults and making that connection daily.
As a nanny, I love the fact that I can sort of do my own thing (with a responsible discretion). I have a much closer relationship with one family rather than not-so-close relationships with multiple families.
As mentioned above, the pay and benefits are much, much better for me. I also get to work with different age groups as my Nannykids are five and three. I am also not "losing" kids every year like I would as a teacher. I get to grow with the kids and watch them turn into little people. I have been with my current NannyFamily for three years and I wouldn't want it any way.
I think both have pros and cons but it's just what you like.
Where are you located?
Anonymous
01/06/2014 23:21
Subject: Working as a nanny vs. in a childcare center
For those of you who considered both choices (being a nanny vs. a daycare employee), or switched from one to another, what was the deciding factor? I currently work in childcare and there are things I love about it and things I hate and am trying to decide whether to continue in childcare or to search for a nanny position.
In daycare, I enjoy being able to focus on and develop expertise with one age group, getting the opportunity to get to know a wide variety of fantastic little people, and having others adults to talk to and bounce ideas off of. On the other hand, the pay is terrible, the ratios are high, you are often having to say goodbye to little ones you've bonded with, and there is a ton paperwork.
So... what do you see as the major pros and cons? What made you decide on one over the other?
In daycare, I enjoy being able to focus on and develop expertise with one age group, getting the opportunity to get to know a wide variety of fantastic little people, and having others adults to talk to and bounce ideas off of. On the other hand, the pay is terrible, the ratios are high, you are often having to say goodbye to little ones you've bonded with, and there is a ton paperwork.
So... what do you see as the major pros and cons? What made you decide on one over the other?