Whether you’re off to work full-time or need an extra set of hands around the house, you’re considering hiring a nanny to watch your brood. Of course, you have plenty of options when it comes to childcare. But a nanny seems to be the best choice for you and your family — at least, based on what you know about the services they generally provide.
Before you hire a nanny, though, you should know everything about what a nanny can — and can’t — bring to your household. Read on to learn more and decide if this type of childcare will suit you and your children.
Things to Consider When Before You Hire a Nanny
1. You’re in Charge
Sending your child to daycare means that you let go of some control of the environment in which your son or daughter spends their days. But bringing a nanny into your home gives you more of a say in how your child’s schedule looks, what they eat, where they go, and more.
2. You’ll Get Regular Updates
Having a nanny means you get to know what your child is doing throughout the day, as well. Your nanny will be able to call or text you and even send photos to reassure you that your little one is happy and safe.
Some daycares provide a photo or two, but they don’t have the time to keep every parent routinely updated. So, if you want regular communication throughout the day, then a nanny is probably the best fit for your family.
3. The Nanny Will Give Your Child Individualized Attention
Daycare teachers give children plenty of attention. But there’s nothing quite like the one-on-one care that a nanny provides.
Your child won’t have to wait in line behind other classmates if they need something. Instead, their nanny will always be focused on them. This type of individualized care means that you can have peace of mind while you’re away.
But it also means that there will be a solid force guiding your child’s learning and development at a crucial time in their growth. Daycares, of course, provide similar lessons. With a nanny, though, it’s one-on-one, which ensures that the teaching really sinks in.
4. A Nanny is Flexible Time- and Responsibility-Wise
Daycare is only open on certain days for particular lengths of time. Your nanny can usually adapt their schedule to yours. So, if you work strange hours or have a weekend commitment, for example, you have someone who will happily work with you to ensure your child is in good hands while you’re away. Even if you get held up at work or stuck in traffic, you won’t have to worry — the nanny’s there.
5. Nannies Lighten Your Responsibility Load
On top of that, nannies make it easier for you to run your household. They will have no problem letting in repairers or accepting deliveries, for example. And, depending on the job description, they can help you with your tasks around the house, too. This can be a huge benefit to hiring a nanny, one that can take a weight off of your shoulders as a busy parent.
6. Your Child Will Form an Attachment
Here’s another great thing about hiring a nanny. Your child will grow attached to their caretaker, which means they will feel secure when you leave them at home for the day.
Kids can form attachments with their daycare teachers, too, but it’s not quite as strong as what they get with a nanny. That’s because, at most centers, kids will move classrooms as they age. So, they won’t stay with the same teacher, making it harder for them to form the lasting attachment they get with a nanny.
7. Nannies Do Cost More, But…
It’s true that most nanny care does cost more than daycare. But that’s because of all of the aforementioned benefits.
Once you see how much your nanny helps your family-run, you will probably find them to be a worthy investment — and then some. Adding them to the payroll will be an easy decision and one you’ll be happy that you’ve made.
If you think that paying for a nanny will be a problem for your family, you have options. Some will be open to a nanny share, through which they watch your child, as well as another little one from a nearby family.
This would mean your son or daughter will lose out on some of their one-on-one time with their caretaker. But it’s still individualized care, and it will help to forge that comforting attachment that will help your child grow into a happy, self-assured kid.
Is a Nanny Right For You?
In the end, only you can decide if a nanny would suit your family. As you can see, though, these caretakers have so much to offer, and you will all be better off with the love and attention provided by a nanny.
