Your Child Care Options

If you decide to go back to work after having your baby, you will probably be quite stressed about finding the right kind of childcare for your baby. Here are your options, along with the pros and cons of each one:

• Private Sitter/Nanny
• Pros: You can find a part time or full time Nanny. Your child will get full time one-on-one attention. If you find a good nanny, she will develop a great bond with your baby. Your Nanny will most likely come to your home for your convenience. Many nannies will be trained and certified in child development, CPR, and first aid.
• Cons: Nanny will want vacation and sick time, so you should have a backup plan. Nanny may require a benefits package. Expensive - will pay her a salary.
• Cost: Expensive

• Non-Regulated Home Daycare
• Pros: Most states only allow these childcare providers to care for up to two children at a time. Your child will get more one-on-one attention. No teacher turnover unless the Operator closes her business. Atmosphere is a home-like setting. Inexpensive.
• Cons: These home daycares are most likely closed on holidays. Not state regulated. Childcare provider will want vacation and sick time, so you should have a backup plan.
• Cost: Inexpensive – Moderate

• State-Regulated Home Daycare
• Pros: Regulated by the state. Operator should be screened by the State if licensed. Some home daycares offer expanded educational and social programs for your older child. No teacher turnover unless the Operator closes her business. Atmosphere is a home-like setting. Inexpensive.
• Cons: Teacher to child ratios may be high. Your child will most likely not receive constant one-on-one attention. Daycares are closed on holidays. Daycare Operator will want vacation and sick time, so you should have a backup plan. State checks in on daycare once a year, so they are not heavily regulated.
• Cost: Inexpensive – Moderate

• Commercial Daycare
• Pros: Regulated by the state. Abuse is unlikely in a commercial daycare, due to the number of parents and workers constantly in and out of the facility. Teachers are also normally monitored by the Daycare Director. Some commercial daycares have web cams so you can check up on what your child is doing. Workers should be thoroughly screened by the daycare. If you are willing to pay, some commercial daycares offer expanded educational and social programs for your older child. Daycare will usually track her eating and activities on a daily log for you. Hours daycare is open are often flexible. Daycare is open, regardless of teacher being sick or on vacation.
• Cons: Teacher to child ratios may be high. Teacher turnover may be high. Your child will most likely not receive constant one-on-one attention. Atmosphere is more commercial, rather than “home-like” setting. Daycares are closed on holidays.
• Cost: Moderate – Expensive

Any one of these options may be the solution you’re looking for. Find what works best for your family. Once you select the type of childcare you desire, click here to find out how to find the best childcare provider for your child.

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