As a parent, deciding what type of childcare to send your child to is one of the first big decisions you’ll have to make. And while some parents would prefer to do it themselves, being a stay-at-home parent isn’t always an option. Nannies and daycare are two common types of childcare that are on offer, each with its own unique advantages.
Read on to learn more about the differences between nannies and daycare as well as the benefits that these two types of care offer.
What is a nanny?
A nanny is a professional who provides childcare services within a family’s home. Nannies can be employed by the family under several different arrangements, including:
- A live-in nanny who lives with your family in your home,
- A live-out nanny that comes to your home each day to provide childcare services, or
- A nanny share arrangement where the nanny works for two families. Under a nanny share arrangement, the nanny might split their time between the families or care for all the children at the same time. It’s up to the families to make it work best for them.
While most nannies hold relevant childcare qualifications, it’s not always mandatory for the role. In saying that, most nannies will have a good amount of childcare experience.
The benefits of a nanny
Hiring a nanny can provide your family with a range of benefits. Here are just some of the advantages of choosing a nanny.
Individual attention
One of the main benefits of hiring a nanny is the opportunity to provide your little one with dedicated attention, time and care. While an individual child might have siblings or other children in a nanny share arrangement to contend with, nannies are often able to focus on the needs, passions and interests of your child. This type of individual care can aid in your child’s development and learning.
Familiar environment
Some children thrive in a familiar environment. When you hire a nanny, your child can receive early education and care services from the comfort of their own home. From enjoying nap time in their own bed to eating off of their favourite plate and playing with their prized toys, there’s a lot to be said for the in-home care that nannies provide.
Flexibility
More often than not, nannies can provide flexible care that fits in with your family’s schedule. When you hire a nanny, you’re able to structure their hours in a way that works best for you. This can be particularly helpful for parents who work long or non-traditional hours. For some families, it’s more convenient to have a nanny that starts in the afternoon, picks the kids up from school, cooks dinner and gets them ready for bed. Other families may need a helping hand in the morning to suit their work day. The opportunities are almost endless when you have a nanny’s help.
Consistency
Many nannies stay with their families for an extended period of time. Some even care for the children from birth through to school age. Not only does this provide your children consistency, but it also allows them to develop a special bond with their nanny. Not to mention, a nanny will often become an important part of your life too.
Convenience
Lastly, nannies provide a level of convenience that often doesn’t come with other types of childcare. From saving time on the daycare drop off and pick up to preparing meals for your kids and even getting stuck into some light household duties, nannies often provide a range of services that go beyond early childhood education and care. With that said, it’s important to make sure that your nanny is comfortable carrying out these different tasks, so be sure to discuss their potential role during the interview process.
What is daycare?
When it comes to daycare, you’ve got two main choices - long daycare, also known as childcare centres, or family daycare.
Long daycare services provide early childhood education and care to children on a full-time or part-time basis. They tend to cater to large groups of children from birth through to 12 years of age. Because daycare centres can accommodate a large number of children, the kids often split into different rooms according to their age, needs or developmental stage.
Alternatively, family daycare providers offer a more natural approach to education and care. Family daycare educators welcome small groups of children into their homes. When it comes to family daycare, providers must comply with strict educator to child ratios, which means that 1 educator can only care for a maximum of 7 children at any one time. Further to this, they can only have a maximum of 4 children under school age at any given time.
The benefits of daycare
While long daycare and family daycare offer their own unique set of benefits, there are several advantages to sending your child to some form of daycare.
Socialisation opportunities
Because daycare accommodates a number of children at a time, there are often more opportunities for your little ones to socialise with other children from diverse backgrounds. Engaging in group activities allows kids to develop important social skills, learn how to share, cooperate, resolve conflicts and build friendships. Plus, exposure to diversity can promote tolerance, acceptance and an appreciation for different perspectives from a young age.
Access to resources and equipment
Many daycare providers offer a range of age-appropriate resources, like books, toys, games and play equipment. This allows children to explore different environments from their normal home setting.
Structured environment
While daycares do their best to cater to children and their individual needs, the days are often more structured than home-based care. The structure of the day tends to revolve around the children's sleep and meal times to help create consistency and eventually get them ready for school. Not to mention, consistent routines can provide a sense of stability and predictability that can be comforting for children.
Regulated childcare
Both long daycare and family daycare services must comply with the legislative requirements set out in the National Quality Framework (NQF). This provides a number of major benefits, including skilled and qualified educators and approved learning frameworks to name a few.
Child Care Subsidy
Many daycare providers are approved under the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), meaning eligible families may be able to receive assistance with the cost of childcare. Childcare can be a significant expense, so this can be a huge benefit for many families. Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to find out how much you could claim and estimate your out-of-pocket childcare expenses.
Whether you choose to hire a nanny or enrol your little one in daycare, the main thing is to make sure your childcare works best for your family and, most importantly, your child. If you’re on the hunt for a local nanny or you’re looking for a daycare provider in your area, Care for Kids is here to help. Use our childcare search tool to shortlist, compare and secure childcare in your local area. You can even filter your search based on specific types of care.
