We chose daycare. A nanny is more expensive, and we weren't excited about a nanny share for a couple of reasons. A nanny would simplify our morning routine and commute, and it would be nice to have someone handle kid laundry and kid-related cleaning, but we went with daycare because:

(1) no worries if one of the teachers is sick or on vacation--the daycare has a roster of regular subs they call on

(2) more eyes on my kid and on the caregivers--parents dropping by, other staff, etc.--which I found reassuring v. trusting someone I just met to be alone with my kid all day. I had friends who caught their nannies doing really inappropriate things, including sleeping while the babies they were supposed to be watching were awake, and I worried about that.

(3) socialization and activities--my kid is very social and loves being around other kids all day. The daycare organizes field trips, special lessons and activities, etc., and has its own playground.

(4) didn't have to deal with being an employer or handling taxes, etc.

Now, this is premised on liking the daycare and feeling that the staff were warm, caring, and competent, and the facility clean and properly equipped. If your options are daycares that don't give you a good feeling, then that certainly changes the equation.

"You must have looked into really crappy daycares. My kids went to daycares that had outdoor playgrounds and they would go on day trips to the zoo and other places.

I have found that kids who have nannies tend to be more isolated and are often shy. "

Maybe so - but that's what was near us. And yes, of course they all had yards - that's not the same thing. The home daycares PPs mention sounds really nice - I may have chosen differently with better options around me. But with the options by us, a nanny share was very clearly better. Although I WOHM I do see SAH as ideal (all other issues aside) and so particularly for the first couple years I think the closer you can mirror that experience, the better for the kid. That's my view - glad others had great daycare experiences but it didn't feel like a good match for my family and how we envisioned our kid spending his day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited the home daycares near me and wanted no part of them. They were depressing. (I am sure there are exceptions). I liked the more individual attention of a nanny share. I live not having to pack up and schlep every day. Nanny helps with laundry. Kid gets out a lot more and has a wider range of "zone" than just 1 room in a home daycare. (No centers near us).

Cons - cost, dependent on finding a good nanny and retaining her, less backup options built in.

You must have looked into really crappy daycares. My kids went to daycares that had outdoor playgrounds and they would go on day trips to the zoo and other places.

I have found that kids who have nannies tend to be more isolated and are often shy.

That's what you get for hiring sitters instead of trained nannies. Sorry.

Please state your special skills and level of education.
I'd like to know what you think we should be looking for in a nanny

10:35 here. I'm sorry, I just noticed your post. Which previous poster are you?

I chose a nanny for my kids because I wanted them to be together for the majority of the day and I couldn't put all three in our previously used in-home daycare. With a nanny, she could also take the older kids to a part-time preschool and take everyone on fun outings. It's a lot easier not to have to get everyone out the door in the morning and she does help alot with certain things, like laundry.

The drawbacks are the need to pay for a nanny plus preschool (instead of just daycare) and how messy the house gets because the kids are home during the day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited the home daycares near me and wanted no part of them. They were depressing. (I am sure there are exceptions). I liked the more individual attention of a nanny share. I live not having to pack up and schlep every day. Nanny helps with laundry. Kid gets out a lot more and has a wider range of "zone" than just 1 room in a home daycare. (No centers near us).

Cons - cost, dependent on finding a good nanny and retaining her, less backup options built in.

You must have looked into really crappy daycares. My kids went to daycares that had outdoor playgrounds and they would go on day trips to the zoo and other places.

I have found that kids who have nannies tend to be more isolated and are often shy.

That's what you get for hiring sitters instead of trained nannies. Sorry.

Please state your special skills and level of education.
I'd like to know what you think we should be looking for in a nanny

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited the home daycares near me and wanted no part of them. They were depressing. (I am sure there are exceptions). I liked the more individual attention of a nanny share. I live not having to pack up and schlep every day. Nanny helps with laundry. Kid gets out a lot more and has a wider range of "zone" than just 1 room in a home daycare. (No centers near us).

Cons - cost, dependent on finding a good nanny and retaining her, less backup options built in.

You must have looked into really crappy daycares. My kids went to daycares that had outdoor playgrounds and they would go on day trips to the zoo and other places.

I have found that kids who have nannies tend to be more isolated and are often shy.

That's what you get for hiring sitters instead of trained nannies. Sorry.

I used daycare for DC#1 until she was 2 and then switched to a nanny when DC# 2 was born.

>A nanny was cheaper than 2 kids in daycare center.
>Logistically it was much easier with a nanny. No need to schlep the kids around.
>My kids actually ended up with more colds but they were non-issue 1-2 type colds with the nanny. The best thing about having a nanny is that if the kids get a cold and start getting sick they can just stay home and rest. They got over things much quicker this way. In daycare, it is very stressful to constantly be taking work off and the kids don't get as much rest when they still ill but not ill enough to stay home from daycare.
>Our nanny did light housekeeping as well. She did laundry (all) and this alone made it is a far better solution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I visited the home daycares near me and wanted no part of them. They were depressing. (I am sure there are exceptions). I liked the more individual attention of a nanny share. I live not having to pack up and schlep every day. Nanny helps with laundry. Kid gets out a lot more and has a wider range of "zone" than just 1 room in a home daycare. (No centers near us).

Cons - cost, dependent on finding a good nanny and retaining her, less backup options built in.

You must have looked into really crappy daycares. My kids went to daycares that had outdoor playgrounds and they would go on day trips to the zoo and other places.

I have found that kids who have nannies tend to be more isolated and are often shy.

I second that. My son went to a home daycare starting at 16 months - beautiful backyard, own playground, music classes, French classes..