Depends what you are looking for. Pros and Cons to both set ups.

We are looking at an accredited daycare with slow teacher and director turnover (director has been there over 10 yrs). DH and I still have doubts because our son is not yet one year and will not get same amount of attention as with his nanny. But daycare is much more affordable and we have financial constraints. Sadly, if cost wasn't a factor i'd probably stick with the nanny.

We went from an awesome nanny share to an even awesome experience at a preschool (with daycare-like hours) when my daughter was 2.5. She is now 5 but we still meet up with her class from that year. One of her teachers had been at the preschool for a decade, the other two decades - and they regularly renewed their methods and skills with training and the like (all teachers there do this). So, what I mean to say, is that it totally depends on the quality of care/instruction of the place you are looking at. You should look at whether it has NAYEC accreditation, the longevity of the teachers, the amount of time/emphasis the school places on teacher training, the longevity and competence of the director, reputation , etc. I now have a ten-month old with a nanny (not a share) and I am looking forward to when he'll be ready for preschool!

Anonymous wrote:We just pulled our son out of daycare because of the illness factor. It's also just a huge PIA. Commuting with your kid(s). Picking them up on time. Dealing with the constant sickness. It's just not worth it. There were things we loved about daycare - including the peer pressure elements of eating together and potty training, but overall there is nothing there a competent and experienced nanny can't replicate. If money isn't a factor, make your life easier.

+1 except our short-lived stint in daycare didn't help at all with potty training. The illnesses were unbelievable! In five months, DH and I both burned up all our sick days and all but one week of our vacation time. My poor baby had the worst diaper rash our pediatrician had ever seen and we went to a really highly rated daycare.

We just pulled our son out of daycare because of the illness factor. It's also just a huge PIA. Commuting with your kid(s). Picking them up on time. Dealing with the constant sickness. It's just not worth it. There were things we loved about daycare - including the peer pressure elements of eating together and potty training, but overall there is nothing there a competent and experienced nanny can't replicate. If money isn't a factor, make your life easier.

I agree.

If a child is asleep at daycare, then that is considered a huge plus for the workers there.

They are making "easy" money.

Hire a Nanny if you can afford one.
It's the best. Investment. Ever.

Daycare is horrid. Only do it if there is no other possible way to get by without it.

I don't think daycare is good for child that young. I wouldn't but my child in daycare until three years old.

What if DC is less than a year? What would you do? Thanks.

Not a nanny share but an actual nanny. Yes, I deeply regret it. DS was two and now I realize that was the worst possible time to start him in daycare. He was sick ALL THE TIME, cried every night because he missed his nanny (even though he still saw her once a week) and his learning slowed noticeably. Now at 3.5, daycare is till a problem as they will not wake him from his naps and he sleeps three hours in daycare, ruining his night's sleep. Daycare will always choose the easiest road and a sleeping child is easier for them then an awake child.

We should have waited until he was a least three. Even at that, I am very sorry we did this to him.

Has anyone moved from a nanny share to a daycare and regretted it? What age do people typically transition their children to daycare from a nanny arrangement?