If the time has come for you to go back to work or school, a top priority is to find childcare! There are so many options in the Wyomissing area–how are you going to choose?
Two popular childcare options are daycare and nanny services. Let’s see how these compare!
Cost: Daycare vs. Nanny
The cost of a nanny obviously varies depending on the qualifications and experience of the nanny, as well as the city and state. According to CARE.com, the average cost of a nanny is $827 per week, or $3300 per month.
In contrast, the average daycare costs in Pennsylvania are $1,008 per month. There is also childcare financial aid available for low-income families that daycare like Learning Ladder accepts that do not apply for nanny services.
Safety: Daycare vs. Nanny
As previously stated, hiring a nanny can be risky, even if you hire from a reputable source or a friend you trust. There are some things you just won’t know about the nanny, even after a thorough interview, such as how they cope with anger or frustration, how much time they spend on their phone, or their driving skills and safety.
Hire a nanny from a reputable source or perform your own thorough interviews and background checks. Your child’s safety depends on your research!
In a daycare setting, there’s significantly less reason to worry about your child’s safety. At Learning Ladder, we only hire qualified teachers who have undergone thorough background checks. Our staff receive several breaks a day, unlike a nanny who may not have any breaks. Our business policies protect children’s privacy and hold staff accountable.
Socialization: Daycare vs. Nanny
Socialization comes naturally in a daycare setting. Children are with peers all day long, learning foundational social skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Children in a daycare setting know how to make friends with new teachers and kids in kindergarten, which helps them focus on their education.
While children can certainly be socialized with nanny services, this is a little harder to come by. Nannies, operating similarly to a parent, must be the ones to plan social activities for the child–taking them to the library, park, play group, or other activities. This can mean extra hurdles for you to jump through; for instance, you must provide the nanny with a car seat, pay for gas money, and sign your child up for activities.
At Learning Ladder, your child will gain all the benefits of socialization without adding to your to-do list or finances!
Education: Daycare vs. Nanny
The importance of this point varies depending on the age of your child. For instance, your infant needs less intentional education time than a pre-K child.
However, that doesn’t mean children should be left to themselves before the age of formal education! There are many ways adults help infants and young children understand the world around them through books, music, colors, art, nature walks, and so much more!
Pre-K and school-aged children need more supervision and guidance to ensure they are meeting standard education requirements. However, this doesn’t come naturally to every nanny. Some nannies are better than others at teaching, especially if your child has learning differences or difficulties.
Additionally, nannies may charge extra for developing and providing educational services. They may have special certifications or experience levels that, while beneficial for your child, make them a more expensive childcare option.
At Learning Ladder, we put a high priority on quality curriculum so every child is successful and meets educational milestones. We hire experienced teachers who engage children, so they have fun while they are learning. Children at Learning Ladder receive a well-rounded early childhood education so they are ready for kindergarten and beyond!
These educational experiences all come at no extra cost to you!
So, which is better, daycare or nanny services?
Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents prefer the one-on-one attention a child has with a nanny, while this isn’t a priority for other families.
With affordable prices, better safety and education standards, and abundant social opportunities, DAYCARE should be at the top of your childcare list.