Unfortunately, it isn’t always realistic to think that one parent can stay home with the kids while the other provides for the whole family. As such, childcare is a necessity, and if grandparents or other dependable family members or friends aren’t around to help, parents must look elsewhere for help. Let’s find out if a daycare is the answer, or maybe a nanny is right for your family.
Some parents choose to use nannies instead of a daycare service to take care of their children while at work. This way, the child can bond with the nanny while having all of their regular care.
What Does a Nanny Do?
A nanny takes care of all the childcare-related activities when you need them to. These services can be perfect if you work or just need a break.
Nannies are almost like babysitters in that they can take care of your children, but nannies are usually on the clock for far longer than a babysitter would be. Rather than a side hustle, nannying might be their full-time job — especially if you’re the only family they nanny for.
Many people grow to rely on nannies to help them get through their busy days without forgetting any responsibilities. Usually, wealthier families employ nannies to take care of their children and transport them to and from appointments and playdates. I
f a parent uses a nanny, it doesn’t mean they love their child any less — it just helps them balance their days more effectively, making them great for busy families and entrepreneur parents.
In general, nannies take care of the children, so you have free time to attend to your other responsibilities. Some nannies have a particular specialty that they cater to, whether it’s newborn care or special needs care, so they may be a better fit for a family with special requirements their children have to follow.
All in all, finding a great nanny might be as simple as searching online and seeing who fits best with your children.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Nanny?
Having a nanny isn’t for every family. It is an extra expense that weighs on your budget, so you want to ensure that you get your money’s worth. Using nannies has both pros and cons — so it all boils down to what matters most to you and your family.
Pro: Less Stress on You
A nanny takes the stress of childcare off of you. You will be able to spend time with your children as usual, but the nanny handles many of the hectic activities, such as running them to practice or taking them to appointments. Nannies know how to handle stressful environments and are typically well-trained in child psychology and emotions. Especially for younger babies, a mom confinement nanny can be a lifesaver.
Con: You Must Screen Potential Nannies
Since the nannying field isn’t really regulated, you definitely have to screen any applicants you get. Running a background check is always a good idea, as you want to ensure that your children are protected. They conduct extensive background checks on the nanny’s criminal history, sex offender registry, and child abuse records.
However, the background check won’t show expunged records. But you can rest assured that not everyone can have their records sealed, especially if you have a felony conviction. You may check with an expungement law firm to learn more.
Parents can be reluctant to hand their children over to a stranger, so you should always spend time with your potential nanny before introducing them to your children.
Pro: Child Receives One-on-One Attention
Depending on the size of the daycare you use, your child may not get the one-on-one attention they desire. With many daycare staff members handling up to six small children at a time, your child wouldn’t get the same personal experience that they do with a nanny. By employing a nanny, your child may grow faster and learn more about the world and even school subjects if they’re diligent enough.
Con: No Back-Up In Case of Emergency
If your nanny is sick, you can’t just call in another nanny. Unless your nanny works for a larger company, backups might be hard to come by — and not every daycare takes walk-ins.
If your nanny can’t make it to you for any reason, you may have to stay home and take care of your child yourself. It might be inconvenient for a busy parent, so it’s something to consider when employing a nanny instead of taking your child to daycare.
Pro: Child Can Stick to Routine
Because they are in their own home, your child won’t have to get used to a new environment before they feel comfortable. All they must do is learn about their nanny, and then they’ll likely feel comfortable with them.
Routines provide children with the control that they lack in other areas of their lives — meaning that only one thing will change as they get adjusted to their nanny, especially if the nanny follows the same schedule or routine you’ve laid out for your child.
How Do Kids Respond to Nannies?
Children typically get along with anyone who takes an interest in their lives and the things they like. There are many cases of children who grew up to see their nannies as stand-in parental figures. Others see them as valuable friends they get along with well, while others still don’t like their nannies.
Depending on what your child wants, you may look into daycare or a collective learning experience so that your children can be around other kids their age.
Still, if they seem to get along with the nanny, that may be an excellent opportunity to ask them what they would enjoy most in terms of childcare — as children are all very different and may not enjoy the same type of care.
Should You Get a Nanny?
The answer to that question relies on how often you’ll use a nanny and if you can find room for the service in your budget. There’s a massive difference between having a nanny raise your children and having a nanny watch them during the weekdays while you’re at work for the one-on-one experience.
Assess your needs and how desperately you need childcare. Only then will you understand what you can do that would be best for your family.