Choosing Childcare: What's Best for You

Written by Jessica Rosenberg

Mom Stages - Babies

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You have a child and you need someone to watch him. Simple, no? Well, actually that’s not as clear cut as it might seem. Luckily there are as many different types of child care options as there are childcare needs. Unluckily it might not be obvious which situation is best for you. Let’s brainstorm a bit before we decide what option works for your family.

Your Family's Childcare Needs

Before we go into the different kinds of care that are available let’s take a look at your family's particular needs.

Are you looking for a regular caregiver or are you looking for something more sporadic?

• For regular care you could hire a Nanny or an Au Pair or find a Daycare for your children.
  
• For intermittent care you’ll want a Babysitter or a Mother’s Helper.

How many hours will you need the caregiver to be with your children?

• For a large chunk of time on a regular basis go with a Nanny or Daycare.
  
• For shorter time spans consider a Babysitter, an Au Pair, or a Mother’s Helper.

Are you looking for day time care or evening care?

• Nannies and Daycares work during the day.
  
• Babysitters and Au Pairs work days and evenings.
  
• Night Nannies work during the night.

Do you need someone weekdays or weekends?

• Most daycares only operate weekdays.
  
• Nannies, babysitters, Au Pairs, Doulas, and Mother’s Helpers come when you need them, though most Nannies work during the week.

Do you ever need someone overnight?

• Your Nanny or Babysitter might be willing to spend the night.
  
• A Doula can come over during the night.
  
• A night Nanny works at night.

Do you want someone to come to your house or do you want to drop off your children?

• Nannies, Babysitters, Au Pairs, and Mother’s Helpers come to your house.
  
• Daycares operate out of the provider’s home or a center.

Do you want someone to focus 100% on your child or do you have some chores that need to be done?

• Traditionally Babysitters don’t do chores.
  
• A Nanny, Au Pair, or Mother’s Helper can be expected to do light housework and fix meals.
  
• Doula’s only do baby related chores like washing bottles or cleaning baby clothes.

Do you want someone to live with you?

• Au Pairs always live with you.
  
• Nannies can live with you or commute.
  
• Babysitters, Mother’s Helpers, and Doulas only come over for the hours they are working.

Do you just need someone to help you through those first uncertain weeks? Doulas specialize in helping you get through the birth and your baby’s first few weeks.

Do you just want someone to come help you while you are home? See if there are any Mother’s Helpers in your neighborhood.

What’s your childcare budget? Full time care in your home costs much more than drop off Daycare. Full time care costs more than intermittent care.

Your Childcare Options

Now that you’ve pinned down what you need, let’s take a look at your options. Childcare can be provided by a whole range of people from a Mother’s Helper who stops by for a few hours to lend a hand all the way to a live in Nanny who gives expert, full time, one on one care to your child(ren).

Mother's Helper

Traditionally a Mother’s Helper comes over to help when you are home. He or she might do some light housework or help prep a meal, but most often is there to be with the children while you are otherwise engaged. The best Mother’s Helpers are young pre-teen neighbors who want to gain experience so they can eventually become babysitters.

Unlike a Mother’s Helper traditionally Babysitters stay with your child(ren) when you are not home for short periods of time.

Au Pair

An Au Pair is a foreign student who cares for your children in exchange for room and board. Strict rules govern Au Pair programs, limiting the number of hours he or she may be employed and the compensation they receive. Families usually welcome Au Pairs into their home for the cultural impact, childcare is just a bonus!

Nanny

A Nanny is someone who comes to your home on a regular basis to watch your child(ren) for multiple hours at a time, usually during the day. Nannies can, but don’t always, live with you. A Manny is a male nanny.

Night Nanny

A Night Nanny comes in the evening and stays all night, leaving early in the morning. She’ll care for your newborn so you can get some much needed rest.

Daycare Center

A Daycare Center is a place where you drop off your child during the day. While drop off care varies from provider to provider most daycares are either home based or center based. Home daycares offer a more low key relaxed "homey" atmosphere, but may be less professionally run. Center based care might offer more clinical care, but they tend to be more structured and organized.

Doula

A Doula is a woman trained to help you through your birth experience and the first daunting days after you bring home your new baby.

Which Childcare Option Should You Choose?

No one but you can decide which option is best for your family. You know your child, your living/working situation, your finances, and your needs better than anyone. Take your time chosing. And don't be afraid to try something and then decide it was the wrong choice.

The different roles played by caregivers can vary from person to person so it’s always best to discuss the details of your needs and expectations with the person you are interviewing. Some Nannies won’t do housework while some Babysitters are happy to fold laundry. Don’t be intimidated by their title and be sure to ask!

Photo of baby copyright Jessica Rosenberg.

Jessica Rosenberg is an aspiring novelist and freelance writer who blogs daily at It's My Life... and posts frequent reviews and giveaways at The Lemonade Stand.

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