Related Posts
Pro
More Posts
Enthusiast
Sorry, can't help it
Any f zser here? Lets chat
Anonymous User
Chief
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
Sign Up to see all discussions
- Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
- Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
- Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
"" is an unusual email domain. If correct, please proceed to the next step
Messaging rates may apply
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Share
Embed this post
Copy and paste embed code on your site
Preview
Download the
Fishbowl app
Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile
Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl
Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl
Messaging rates may apply
I’d go with #2. What matters is the people not the facility. If you agree with their philosophy and the teachers seem happy, that option sounds like it will support their development the most… socialization, language immersion. Personally I’ve never felt comfortable with in home daycare.
Second this. I preferred the reliability of a center over in-home and that different teachers there may have different strengths.
I’ve done 1 and 3. From 4m - 3yrs did the inhome daycare. Loving people, wonderful experience. They could be flexible on sick days too. We still stay in contact. Moved during CoVID and did the big Corp experience with Kindercare, and Bright Horizon’. because our child was a bit older I appreciated the bigger opportunity to socialize and engage with other children and be in a more structured learning environment. But it also Came with a lot of sickness! Overall it really came down to the providers. One kindercare experience was absolutely horrible, the second was amazing but you paid extra for enrichment activities (reading, Spanish, yoga, cooking). Bright Horizon by far was the best experience with kind teachers and admins, great curriculum, served bfast, lunch and snack and it was so close to work.
There are conveniences for every situation but it really does boil down to who loves your child and will treat them the well.
You are lucky to have so many choices - during CoVID trying to find solid reputable childcare was next to impossible! Had an opportunity to do free pre-k at BH but luckily accepted into the private school of our choice any boy do I miss daycare with all of the holidays that formal schooling has!
I’m doing #1 - vivvi. I couldn’t be happier with it. It is toe-curling how much you pay…much more than my first apartment in the city. But they have a curriculum (yes even for my 6 month old) send updates and pics through an app all day long. They go to 7p at night if I’m having a late night. Highly recommend
I’d do #2. To me having a nanny and kid home all day while you and partner are working would be hard (for the kid who doesn’t understand why you keep walking away and shutting the door on him) and distracting. It’s also SO expensive, you have nanny’s that are no shows, bad fits, taking PTO and quit last minute.
I’ve done 2 and 3. Both had pros and cons. More structured activities and a ton of detailed updates in the center, but way more sickness and revolving staff. The home daycare we are in has 6 kids and my daughter is thriving and the provider got to know her so well.
I have always made the sacrifice for 4. Other options were not flexible enough for us.
#2 is where we went after looking at all the options. We had a nanny also - but I was never able to focus with my kid in the house - and the people at #2 were so much more engaged.
Nanny. If you can afford it, do it!
The ease of having someone to cover sick days! The not rushing for drop off or pick up! The control over food and rules and stuff! They will also do your grocery shopping and kid laundry if you negotiate that. Some even will prep dinner (all will feed the kid dinner but we had them sometimes prep our meal too!) They run errands!
We had one nanny for 5 years then another for 5 years. Best decision ever! They went part time when kid started school but still did pick up and took them to sports and play dates.
#3 all the way. Having kids around other ages is so beneficial!
We do #2, but it’s a church daycare run by a church we don’t go to.
People matter SO much more than the facility. We have had zero teacher turnover in the 2 years my kids have been in our daycare. The facility is dated and some of it a bit run down. They don’t use any fancy apps to tell me my kid pooped their pants twice today. Do I care? Not even a little bit. My kids are so well-loved there I’d recommend them to anyone.
Personally I didn’t feel great about the in-home options near us. And while a nanny would absolutely be more convenient to avoid the morning schlep, a) I think WFH with them here would be distracting and b) I don’t want to have to manage another employee.
Doesnt it totally depend on your budget? Nanny is ideal.
Why? Money is not the only factor. I prefer the convenience and individualized care for under 1yo but after that they get so much out of a group environment. Important socialization, and I also see them take big leaps in other areas.
2, where are you located?
I think I underestimated the unreliability of having a nanny- we had one not so great fit, and one amazing nanny and they get sick, run late, have conflicts, need raises, etc. And the burden on me to hire, manage, run payroll, cover time off, etc. was a lot of work. Daycare’s always there.
My youngest of three had the nanny, because of Covid uncertainty and to help with pickups and drop offs for older kids and it worked, but the cost wouldn’t have made sense for us with 1 baby.
My first 2 did amazingly well with a larger daycare center, that was academic focused. They did get sick, (to the tune of 15 days / year) but now at elementary age almost never miss school due to viruses.
For a single child - midsized or larger daycare all the way. But have a sick kid game plan.