Nanny vs Nursery: How to make my choice?
At the arrival of a new child, parents often wonder what form of childcare they should choose. Nursery or Nanny. They both have positive and negative points. But what’s right for you?
Let’s investigate some different types of childcare and decipher what is right for you.
Home-Based Nannies
A home-based nanny can be perfect for many families. Home-bases nannies allow you to organize your family and professional life more easily. Children can have all the advantages of a nanny while keeping their bearing.
The Advantages
- The child can evolve at home.
- Easy to maintain and organize.
- Allows flexibility.
- Respects child’s personal time.
- Easy to manage.
The Disadvantages
- Can be costly (as much as a nursery).
- Difficult to replace nanny if ill or unavailable.
- Lack of socialization compared to Nurseries.
Nursery School
Many parents opt for group nurseries. It’s a very popular option amongst parents but we should keep in mind finding a place in nurseries are difficult. Though they are difficult to access there is no doubt that the nursery has many advantages.
Advantages
- Socialisation for child.
- Personalised care for children.
- Careful Supervision is provided.
Disadvantages
- Difficulty in finding a place.
- Fixed hours which could be inconvenient for you.
- Lack of individuality.
- Illnesses can circulate among children.
How to find a place?
To find a place in a nursery its best to start early. Some people even register from their 6th month of pregnancy. It’s advised to look into it as soon as you can and apply.
Other Childcare Options
Maybe you’re still looking into other options of childcare for you baby because you are can’t really find what you’re looking for in nurseries and nannies. While these are great options, they’re not the only ones. Other more suitable options are available.
Childminder and Family Nursery
If the concept of nursery or nannies is not that appealing to you and you want something in-between, then we suggest looking into family nurseries. This is when your child is looked after in groups of children usually consisting of 1-4 kids, by nannies or sitters hired by family nurseries in their homes. In addition, these childcare providers make trips to the nursey so they can socialize with other children.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Open all year round.
- Socialisation for children.
- Professionals in the field of early childhood.
- Supervision by early childhood educators.
The Disadvantages
- Limited number of places.
- No care possible if your child is ill.
- If your caregiver is unwell or on vacation your child will be entrusted to another caregiver and will have to adapt to a new environment.
Sharing childcare with a nanny/sitter
If you like for your child to be cared for at home but have found some inconveniences which seem difficult to deal with then shared childcare might be for you. In shared childcare the couple take on a nanny. Here you hire the same person and your child will grow up together in familiar surroundings.
Advantages
- Affordable price.
- Socialisation with other children.
- Growing up in a familiar environment.
- Nannies can sometimes do housework in addition to childcare.
Disadvantages
- You must make arrangements with the nanny and with the other family (to organize where the baby-sitting takes place, which days and additional details)
- You are an employer and must handle the administrative procedures.
- Difficulty in finding replacements if nanny is unwell.
Au Pair
An au pair is a person of foreign origin, who provide care for your children in exchange of accommodation, meals and compensation. They usually aim to improve their language skills during their stay. This could be a very rewarding experience for you and your children.
Advantages
- Complete flexibility.
- Can adjust and organize yourself very easily with the person.
- Living with you, they are aware of the habits of you and your children.
- They can introduce your child to a foreign language and culture.
- Helps broaden your and your childs mindset.
Disadvantages
- You cannot use the babysitter as you wish, they need time off to improve their language skills or even explore the country.
- Rather than considering them employees, au pairs are more like “temporary” members of your family.
- Very difficult to find in the UAE.
Conclusion
Those were some different forms of childcare along with their disadvantages and advantages. We hope this information proves useful to you. An important thing to keep in mind there are no right or wrong solutions. Childcare should adapt to you and your child’s requirement.
