Secret Benefits of a Nanny vs. Childcare Centers

This post is about the benefits of in-home childcare. Although there are different names for them; a nanny, babysitter or your friend who cares for your children etc, they can be good options for childcare.

Regardless of your children's ages, it can be a good alternative to a day care or school. A nanny can be used to augment homeschooling, giving you or your spouse a day off.

Based on my experience in the childcare industry, both as a provider and as a parent, I am a big supporter of using a nanny. I have worked with children in various roles providing care in childcare centers, camps and as a babysitter and nanny in homes. I have also been on the other side as a consumer. Our kids have participated in drop off programs over the years and I have had conversations with other families about their experiences with preschools, day cares and schools. We currently have a nanny who helps us part time who has been with our family for many years. I have written this to encourage other families looking for childcare solutions. I hope it helps.

Disclaimer: you should still use discernment and good judgement when leaving your children in the care of someone else.

Here are some of the benefits of using a nanny vs. a "brick and mortar" childcare center or an after-school childcare program:

• Your nanny can lead and discipline your children the way that you want and intend. There will be consistency in your child's life. Since the nanny is paid by you, you have the right and obligation to manage what the nanny does. (Note: this is not the case for paid childcare facilities nor for after-school daycare). By clearly communciating what the nanny can or cannot do, you will be able to successfully direct your children through delegation and you can check and monitor what is actually happening at any time.

• You are able to adequately inform your nanny of your children's food allergies, medical needs and any other individualized special care instructions, which are easily taken care of due to the high adult-to-child ratio.

• You get to chose the caretaker/teacher, performing as little or as much background checking as is needed. You can do your own background check and reference checks. You chose their qualifications and education requirements. If you wish, you can ensure that they share your beliefs.

• You have control over what happens in your own house. Nanny cams and close proximity can provide you with the necessary oversight to manage your child’s care and safety, if you feel it is necessary. And in the world today, it may be necessary.

• A nanny can be used with flexible time blocks and/or a schedule, where you have the ability to negotiate for the hours that nanny visits, maintaining flexibility and compromising with the nanny. Brick and mortar schools typically have hours of operation around a "9-to-5" corporate schedule. What if you have to be at work before the childcare center opens? What if your job ends at 7pm? You can schedule a nanny can work nights, weekends or provide care when you have an appointment. You can schedule one day per week if you wanted.

• Your nanny can help during an emergency. If you need to attend to an urgent matter like a death in the family, car accident or family medical emergency, your nanny can provide childcare so you can be present for those situations.

• You are providing an "at-will" type arrangement, which means that if for any reason you need to end or change your childcare situation, you can do so immediately. There are no contracts involved nor do you need to follow any complicated labor laws.

• A nanny can provide care for a range of ages and has a flexible age bracket. A nanny is not limited by age or grade level classroom policies, established by brick and mortar centers or by public schools.

• A nanny situation provides a flexible child care budget. Because you choose the hours and qualifications of your nanny, you can control your spending.

• A nanny can provide trusted care for events that are for adults only like weddings and conventions. You can leave your kids with vetted childcare (of course, only if you have established that level of trust).

sickness and cost are some of the downsides of childcare centers.

You pay for the hours you use

Daycares and private schools charge for your spot, whether your child shows up or not. If they are closed for a holiday or snow day or your child is sick and not physically there, you are still paying for that day. In a nanny situation, you pay for what you use. If it is a snow day or I am sick or our nanny is sick, we do not pay for that.

Sibling care when having a baby

A nanny can provide sibling childcare for when you give birth. If you do not have family members to provide on-call childcare for older siblings, I highly recommend hiring a nanny to care for your older children so you focus on having as safe and healthy delivery as possible. A nanny can also help with childcare during postpartum days.

You set the policies

Childcare centers have rules about what food you are allowed to bring, vaccinations, dress code, discipline, etc. In a nanny situation, you set the policy and rules.

Homeschool support

Historically, families used "Governesses" in their home to help children with their learning. As a homeschool parent, you might still need to have kids free times like going to the dentist, running errands, having a sick day and having a date night. A nanny can help you during those times and help your child with their school work.

Children get to enjoy home conveniences and other homeschool benefits while being in the care of someone else. For example, children can nap in their own beds creating a consistent sleep schedule. The kids have their favorite cups, blankets, toys, snacks and art supplies available to them. Children can be with their pets more often. More homeschool benefits can be found at the link below.

Click for benefits of homeschooling

A nanny is far less expensive than childcare, as long you also homeschool

The average annual cost for day-care across the United States is $18,000 per child, with an average per family of $64,529 (see link). Whereas a nanny costs in the range of $6,000 to $8,000, assumming around 8 hours per week. Granted, these two figures are not a direct comparison hour-for-hour of service, but when you use a nanny you are being more efficient with your expenditures, both spending less and needing to earn less. You don't need 40 hours of daycare, so you're not paying for it. Whereas, if you are homeschooling and you use a nanny, you still get the "time-off" you need, but without the excessive cost and the loss of control of your children's upbringing. Its a win-win for everyone. And assuming an overall tax rate of 35%, you would have to earn a gross income $100,000 to just pay for childcare, and your tax bracket may be even higher given that a second parent is working. Paying for childcare doesn't make sense unless you absolutely have to do: for most families the numbers just don't make sense!

This creator goes into more detail about the costs of daycare. Link

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