Hiring a Nanny vs. Daycare: Pros and Cons

Whether by choice or by necessity, in many households today, parents are working full-time rather than staying home with the kids. If you’re one of them, you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of your child’s care while you’re working. It’s all a matter of hiring a knowledgeable and experienced childcare professional you can trust.

For working parents, the two typical options are hiring a nanny or enrolling your child in daycare. To help you choose the best path for your family, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Pros and Cons of Hiring a Nanny

Is the consistency and reliability of a personal nanny best for your child? Consider these pros and cons.

Pro: In-Home Care

In a typical nanny arrangement, your nanny will come to your home to take care of your child. This is not only more comfortable for your child but easier on your busy schedule. Your child gets to stay in their home environment where they feel safe and you don’t have to go through the daily hassle of getting your child dressed, packing a bag for them, and getting them out of the house to a daycare center.

Pro: Individual Attention

A nanny provides individualized attention in a way that daycare centers can’t match because your nanny is exclusively caring for your child or your kids. They aren’t splitting their attention between several kids at varying ages and developmental levels.

The most obvious advantage of this is your child’s safety, as accidents are injuries are much less likely when the childcare provider isn’t overwhelmed or distracted. It can also be helpful for your child’s development, though. The nanny can play games and set up activities for them in a way that’s catered to their precise development and the skills they’re trying to learn.

Pro: Flexible Hours

Not every job is a standard 9-5 – doctors, nurses, first responders, and other types of professionals often work non-conventional hours. While most daycare centers are only open during standard work hours, you can arrange whatever hours you choose with your nanny, giving you the ability to fit your childcare to your work schedule.

Con: Cost

When it comes down to the dollars and cents, hiring a nanny usually costs more than a daycare center. This is true with hiring a nanny in Nashville, throughout middle Tennessee, and beyond. After all, you’re paying a professional’s full salary whereas, at a daycare center, you’re splitting that cost with several other families.

However, at Tried and True Nannies and Sitters, we also offer a unique arrangement called a nanny share in which you split one nanny’s hours (and costs!) with another family. This can be a great way to make it more affordable.

Pros and Cons of Daycare

Hiring a nanny has clear advantages, but what about daycare? Keep these pros and cons in mind as you weigh your childcare options.

Pro: Socialization

At a daycare center, your child is around other kids all day every day. This provides ample opportunities for them to socialize and learn how to interact with other kids.

Con: Less Consistency in Care

When you hire a nanny, the same person is taking care of your child every day. Your child is able to feel safe and comfortable knowing who’s caring for them and knowing that this is someone they can trust.

In a daycare setting, though, the care team can be much more fluid. Some daycare centers have high turnover rates so your child’s teacher might change every time your child is starting to trust them. Or, they might have different teachers on different days of the week, so your child has to get to know a lot of new adults at one time. Regardless, this low consistency can make it hard for your child to feel comfortable and safe.

Con: Difficulty Getting In

Especially in major cities like Nashville, reserving a spot for your child at a daycare center can be immensely challenging. The best daycares often have waitlists so it can take months or more for your child to get in, and you never know when that day will arrive. In some cases, you also have to pay for care when your child isn’t attending so you don’t lose your spot. By contrast, hiring a nanny can be simpler than you expect when you work with a reputable Nashville nanny agency like Tried and True Nannies and Sitters.

The Best of Both Worlds: A Reliable Nanny with Socialization Opportunities

Socialization is the primary reason some parents consider daycare, but here’s the good news: your child can still get plenty of social time if you hire a nanny. A dedicated nanny can take your child to playgrounds, library story time or other community events, playdates, and more. In fact, this can be ideal for kids because your nanny can provide as much or as little social time as your child needs.

Looking for that fantastic nanny who can give your child the attentive, healthy, nurturing care they deserve? Contact our nanny agency today and let’s chat!