Choosing the best care for your children

by Niki Worrell

During these tough economic times, more and more families are faced with the challenge of both parents having to work full-time which in turn brings up the stressful topic of finding good childcare. This is especially difficult when a family moves to a new area and doesn’t know anyone and doesn’t have any family members nearby by step in and help. There are of course many families where both parents choose to work. In both cases, careful consideration must be given to the best type of childcare for your children and family situation.

The first thing to think about is who is going to provide the care – a nanny, a daycare center or in-home daycare provider. There are many options and all have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some points to consider when making your decision.

The children’s personalities – Does your child enjoy being in a busy and active environment or does he prefer the peace and quiet? A daycare setting can be too tiring for some children and perfect for others. Meanwhile, staying at home with a nanny might be too quiet for the child who loves interacting with other people.

The number of children and their ages – Cost becomes an important factor when you have two or more children. If you have several children under the age of five and not at school, full-time daycare can become expensive even with sibling discounts. A good daycare in the local area can cost anything from $250 to $300 per week per child whereas a nanny’s weekly salary will range from approximately $375 to $440 no matter how many children you have. . If cost is a factor and you only have one pre-school age child, daycare or an in-home childcare provider will always be the least expensive option.

Your schedule – Consider both parents work schedules. Working together, can both parents manage pick-up and drop offs? Daycare centers are strict about this and generally doors open anywhere from 6-7am and close at 6-7pm. If both parents need to start work early – common with military families, daycare centers are not always a convenient option. Likewise, if one or both parents travel frequently a nanny may be a better option.

Sickness – This must be a consideration when you choosing childcare. Children will get sick, especially when they mix with other children. If you decide to take the route of daycare make sure you have back-up for the sick days when you are unable to stay home.

Whatever option you end up choosing take the time to do your homework – ask friends and neighbors, do online research, visit daycares, interview nannies carefully and do background checks, ask for references and budget wisely. Your children are your most precious possession.

Niki Worrell is the founder and owner of the Williamsburg Nanny Agency since 2008. Since then the agency has successfully placed hundreds of professional and reliable nannies in the local area including full-time, part-time, temporary and event nannies. The agency also provides overnight care for newborns to help new parents get a good night’s sleep! As an expert in her field Nicola provides consultation and parental advice to families on all topics related to child and infant care.

Niki Worrell