Daycare or Nanny Care: Which is right for you?

August 18, 2025

Daycare or Nanny Care: Which is right for you?

After nearly 40 years of helping families navigate child care, I’ve learned something simple. While the world has changed, parents really haven’t. We all want the same things we did decades ago. We want our kids to feel safe. We want them to have fun, to explore, to learn in a loving environment. We want them surrounded by caregivers who treat them with patience and warmth. And we want all of this while balancing real-life challenges—work schedules, commutes, budgets, and the endless logistics of family life.

Child care has always been expensive, and many of us hoped that over time society would help make it more affordable or more supported. The truth is, families today are still largely figuring it out on their own. And in today’s world, grandparents often live in other cities or are working full-time themselves, so the built-in support system many parents relied on years ago just isn’t available anymore.

Over the years, I’ve seen families make child care decisions in all kinds of ways. My sister-in-law worked with friends who stayed home and cared for additional children. My neighbor who worked at the hospital used her on-site day care. I personally chose nanny care and later eased my children into part-time preschool around 18 months. There isn’t one “right” path—just what fits your family’s needs, values, and budget. But understanding your options can make the choice a whole lot easier.

Daycare or Nanny Care: A Simple Side-by-Side

Daycare Pros:

  • Predictable curriculum and daily structure
  • Built-in peer socialization
  • Lower overall cost compared to full-time nanny care
  • Licensed facilities with oversight

Daycare Cons:

  • Rigid drop-off/pick-up times
  • Higher exposure to germs and illnesses
  • Less individualized attention (ratios may be 1:4 for infants)
  • May close on holidays or snow days

Nanny Care Pros:

  • One-on-one care tailored to your child’s needs
  • Care provided in your own home, making mornings easier
  • Flexible schedules — some nannies work evenings or weekends
  • Easier for families with multiple children (one nanny can care for siblings)

Nanny Care Cons:

  • More expensive than group care
  • Requires parents to act as an employer (payroll, taxes, etc.)
  • Limited daily peer interaction for children
  • Quality depends heavily on finding the right match

TLC Tip: Child care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Do the research, ask questions, visit programs, and listen to your instincts. And if you want guidance or support comparing your options, TLC Family Care has been helping families make these decisions for nearly four decades—we’re here whenever you need us.