What Are Your Child Care Options?

August 18, 2025

What Are Your Child Care Options?

Choosing child care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every family’s situation is unique — your work schedule, commute, support system, and even your child’s personality all play a role. You might have a workplace daycare option, a grandparent who wants to help, or maybe you’re exploring the flexibility of having a nanny at home.

As parents, we think through everything — the drive, the cost, the days our kids get sick, and what kind of environment feels right. At TLC Family Care, we work with families who take many different paths. Some prefer in-home nanny care during the first 18 months, then transition to daycare for socialization. Others thrive with the consistency of a group setting from the start, or even choose a hybrid that fits their routine best.

Personally, I hired a nanny when my children were infants and later started them in part-time private preschool at 18 months. For our family, having that one-on-one care in the early years was worth the investment — it gave us peace of mind, kept our kids healthier, and made our home life calmer and more balanced.

No matter what you choose, understanding your options — and what works best for your family and your budget — is the most important step.

Day Care Centers

  • What they are: Licensed facilities where children are grouped by age and cared for by trained staff. 
  • Best for: Families who want structure, socialization, and predictable hours. 
  • Benefits: Curriculum-based learning, built-in socialization, backup caregivers if staff are out. 
  • Challenges: Less schedule flexibility, higher child-to-caregiver ratios, and frequent illness exposure. 

Family Child Care Homes

  • What they are: Small, licensed programs run out of a provider’s home. 
  • Best for: Parents who want a home-like atmosphere but need full-day care. 
  • Benefits: Mixed-age interaction, often lower cost than centers, more flexible policies. 
  • Challenges: Quality varies widely, fewer staff for backup, may close if the provider is sick. 

Nanny Care

  • What it is: A caregiver works in your home, providing individualized care. 
  • Best for: Families with infants, unpredictable schedules, or multiple children. 
  • Benefits: Personalized care, flexible routines, convenience of at-home care. 
  • Challenges: Highest cost option, requires management by parents, limited peer interaction. 

 

TLC Tip: Many families turn to agencies like TLC Family Care to help navigate these choices, compare costs, and find the right caregiver for their family’s lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a short-term nanny, long-term support, or guidance on when to transition to group care, TLC is here to help you find what feels right for your family.