Which childcare is best? Your childcare options

Individual attention for your child. One-on-one care is especially important for children under one.

Consistent care from one person.

Generally a professional child carer, with relevant qualifications.

Hours are flexible, depending on your contract agreement.

The child stays in his own home and familiar environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.

You can have more say in childcare as a nanny is your direct employee.

Some nannies do light housework.

Can be expensive compared with other childcare if you have one child.

The child may miss out on daily social interactions if there are no regular play dates and outings.

You will need to arrange backup care if the nanny is ill, takes holidays or leaves.

If you employ a nanny directly, rather than use an agency, you will be responsible for wages, tax, superannuation etc. Read about your obligations for employing a nanny.

You may feel you lose some privacy and space with a live-in nanny sharing your home.

You have the benefits of a nanny but with lower costs.

You only pay for the time you need the nanny.

If the nanny is caring for children from two families simultaneously, they may form strong friendships.

Administration and paperwork can be shared with the other family.

It can take time and effort to find a compatible family to share a nanny with.

You will need to coordinate holidays and any changes in schedule with the other family.

Disagreements between the nanny and one family may affect the other family.

Exposes the family to another culture and language.

A cheaper option than a full-time nanny.

Individual attention for your child.

The child stays in his own home and familiar environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.

Au pair is living with the family, so can be flexible to fit in routines and special needs (like holidays).

Consistency of care can be an issue. (NB: Au pairs on a Working Holiday visa are restricted to 12 months' work with one employer.)

Generally young and living away from home, so will need some personal guidance and advice.

May not be interested in child care as a career option, and may have little experience.

You may feel you lose some privacy and space with another person sharing your home.

If you employ an au pair directly, rather than use an agency, you will be responsible for wages, tax, superannuation etc.

Can help with housework as well as child care.

A cheaper option than a full-time nanny.

Individual attention for your child.

The child stays in his own home and familiar environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.

Not qualified or newly qualified for early childhood education so may not have much experience.

Initially, should not be left unsupervised until they are comfortable with the child and their duties.

For a single child, it is usually cheaper than hiring a nanny.

School hours care is always available, except on school holidays. The centre will manage replacement staff if any carer is ill or unavailable.

An early childhood learning environment that provides a structured childcare program with routines and activities.

Childcare centres are licensed facilities that meet quality ratings for education and care programs set by the Australian government and all child care providers and staff will have relevant experience and qualifications.

The child meets a range of other school aged children and educators.

Less individual attention than nanny or au pair.

The child is exposed to other primary school age children and more people which means higher risks for illnesses.

The child may find it hard to settle into an unfamiliar environment.

Many centres have long waiting lists and the fees for their high quality early learning and care services can be expensive.

May not be flexible enough to suit your child's individual temperament and needs.

You will have to arrange travel to and from the centre.

A more affordable child care option.

A family day care service offers a safe, home environment with consistent childhood education and care.

Most educators have had children of their own.

Interaction with a small group of other people's children of varying ages.

Family day care services can be arranged to fit into your schedule.

You will need to arrange backup care if the educator is ill or unavailable.

There is not the same range of toys, equipment and activities as at a child care centre.

You will have to arrange travel to and from the educator's home.

Flexible early childhood education and approved childcare for families unable to access mainstream child care because they:

Work non-standard hours or variable hours

Are geographically isolated, or

Have challenging and complex needs

Provided at home.  Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.

A tailored, individual early education program for each child.

Up to five children from the same family can be cared for by a qualified educator.

Attracts the Childcare Subsidy.

Strict eligibility criteria.

Limited places. The In-Home Care program is capped at 3,200 places.

The child may miss out on daily social interactions with other children if there are no regular play dates and outings.

A flexible child care option, especially for short periods over evenings and weekends.

Can be cheaper than occasional care or outside school hours care.

The child stays in a home environment.

Gives parents a chance to take a break without a long-term commitment to their children's education and care service.

Childcare experience varies, and babysitters are not always qualified.

May not be available for regular long-term care or longer hours.