Pros:
- more one-on-one attention than is typical in a daycare
- baby is in a home (or even better - his/her home) and can nap better
- less exposure to germs
- ability to do little "field trips" like stroller walks or story time
- socialization with another child
- more control for the parents - food, schedule, etc. is all set

Cons:
- it can be very difficult to find another family on the same page, in your neighborhood, with the same schedule
- baby can pick up other baby's habits/quirks
- don't really know what the other family is like until you get into it (but isn't that the way any childcare is)
- if you host, your house is essentially a daycare. We feel compelled to keep our house spotless, have babyproofed above what we normally would, our toys/furniture get more wear and tear.
- ** The biggest, in my opinion: it can be an unstable arrangement. Even if your contract allows for a long notice period (3 weeks to a month), you can find yourself without childcare if the other family bails and you can't afford to pay the nanny or find the other family. Your nanny could also quit. Typically, you don't have those kinds of issues with a daycare center.

I've tried a number of childcare arrangements, and so far, a nanny share is our favorite. For us, the benefits far outweigh the cons.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For us, the biggest con was finding the right second family.

Our nanny is fantastic and my son is thriving. We are the host family so these cold, bleak winter mornings mean he gets to stay in this warm house and I am not dragging him out anywhere. He gets the same attention as he would if he had a sibling or a twin. I have never once had to miss work or use a vacation day for his illnesses/colds.

But we have been through two families in our first two years. One moved and the second was awful to our nanny - demanding and rude - so we cut them loose. Our third family starts with us next Monday and seems great. Their child is a year older than ours which I think it going to be great for our child.

Since you host and seek/dismiss the second family, do you pay both families' share while you are finding a replacement family?

Yes! Of course! How could you not? Luckily it has only been a couple weeks delay for us.

Anonymous wrote:For us, the biggest con was finding the right second family.

Our nanny is fantastic and my son is thriving. We are the host family so these cold, bleak winter mornings mean he gets to stay in this warm house and I am not dragging him out anywhere. He gets the same attention as he would if he had a sibling or a twin. I have never once had to miss work or use a vacation day for his illnesses/colds.

But we have been through two families in our first two years. One moved and the second was awful to our nanny - demanding and rude - so we cut them loose. Our third family starts with us next Monday and seems great. Their child is a year older than ours which I think it going to be great for our child.

Since you host and seek/dismiss the second family, do you pay both families' share while you are finding a replacement family?

For us, the biggest con was finding the right second family.

Our nanny is fantastic and my son is thriving. We are the host family so these cold, bleak winter mornings mean he gets to stay in this warm house and I am not dragging him out anywhere. He gets the same attention as he would if he had a sibling or a twin. I have never once had to miss work or use a vacation day for his illnesses/colds.

But we have been through two families in our first two years. One moved and the second was awful to our nanny - demanding and rude - so we cut them loose. Our third family starts with us next Monday and seems great. Their child is a year older than ours which I think it going to be great for our child.

We have absolutely loved nanny sharing. I couldn't afford a nanny on my own, so to me this is a way for my DS to get more focused attention than he would have in daycare. We've done a nanny share since I went back to work when he was 6 months old (currently 16 months). The biggest pros:
- more focused care than a daycare situation
- less sickness than a daycare situation
- still gets to interact with another child/learn to share
- gets to nap in his own bed (share is hosted at our house)
- eats what I want him to eat

Challenges:
- finding the right share family (we have similar parenting philosophies as our share family (no screen time, healthy eating, outdoors every day, etc.) so it works for us, I'd put quality time into finding the right family, not just a convenient family)
- finding the right nanny
- figuring out schedules/logistics that work for everyone

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They get to socialize and it's less expensive. What's not to love? The only cons I can think of is tv usage and food issues. I do a nanny share and one family allows a lot of tv and their daughter has a crappy diet. She also still sucks her thumb and the other child is starting to pickup on these habits.

I didn't think a nanny would allow tv when she's on duty. That's really lazy. But I guess sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.

It's on when we come in the morning and my mb takes a long time to get ready before work. Some parents actually encourage tv.

Lots of people are lazy.

You're very judgmental and immature. I don't do screen time but I also don't judge parents who do. I was pointing out this could be a con to nanny share.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They get to socialize and it's less expensive. What's not to love? The only cons I can think of is tv usage and food issues. I do a nanny share and one family allows a lot of tv and their daughter has a crappy diet. She also still sucks her thumb and the other child is starting to pickup on these habits.

I didn't think a nanny would allow tv when she's on duty. That's really lazy. But I guess sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.

It's on when we come in the morning and my mb takes a long time to get ready before work. Some parents actually encourage tv.

I don’t do a share, but my charges’ routine was tv in the evening as my shift ends, long before I was hired.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They get to socialize and it's less expensive. What's not to love? The only cons I can think of is tv usage and food issues. I do a nanny share and one family allows a lot of tv and their daughter has a crappy diet. She also still sucks her thumb and the other child is starting to pickup on these habits.

I didn't think a nanny would allow tv when she's on duty. That's really lazy. But I guess sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.

It's on when we come in the morning and my mb takes a long time to get ready before work. Some parents actually encourage tv.

Lots of people are lazy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They get to socialize and it's less expensive. What's not to love? The only cons I can think of is tv usage and food issues. I do a nanny share and one family allows a lot of tv and their daughter has a crappy diet. She also still sucks her thumb and the other child is starting to pickup on these habits.

I didn't think a nanny would allow tv when she's on duty. That's really lazy. But I guess sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.

It's on when we come in the morning and my mb takes a long time to get ready before work. Some parents actually encourage tv.

Anonymous wrote:They get to socialize and it's less expensive. What's not to love? The only cons I can think of is tv usage and food issues. I do a nanny share and one family allows a lot of tv and their daughter has a crappy diet. She also still sucks her thumb and the other child is starting to pickup on these habits.

I didn't think a nanny would allow tv when she's on duty. That's really lazy. But I guess sometimes you just need to do what you need to do.

They get to socialize and it's less expensive. What's not to love? The only cons I can think of is tv usage and food issues. I do a nanny share and one family allows a lot of tv and their daughter has a crappy diet. She also still sucks her thumb and the other child is starting to pickup on these habits.

Simple. 2 babies with one adult or 4 babies with one adult.

Then we have the question of pros and cons for the nanny.
And pros and cons for the parents.