Moms who kept kids home or had a nanny until real school started. Any regrets? Had you wished you put them in daycare instead? Like a good daycare.

we have au pairs with all 3 kids and I have no regrets. someone above mentioned these kids struggling socially once in school. All of my kids have gone to a morning preschool once they were 3 and I've had no issues on this front.

Love having a nanny. I work from home or am onsite at a client. When I’m home it’s so nice to sneak out of my office for a few minutes during their lunch or before nap to get hugs and check in. Our nanny helps with their laundry and helps meal prep our dinner. We did put the kids in a traditional pre-school, not daycare, so they have exposure to other kids before going to kindergarten. They also did a ton of classes with our nanny - music, sports, arts, etc. library. Our nanny made friends with a group of other nanny’s and get together for play dates. Would pick a nanny over and over!

I used an in home daycare (4 kids and 2-3 families) in the DC area and a nanny in NC. I don’t regret it at all. Both care providers were very professional, proactive, and creative about challenging my kids. We did half day preschool and had a nanny pick them up and care for the rest of the day starting at 3. They are in elementary school now and are performing above grade level. Most importantly, they are curious and interested in the world. We paid more, but investing in your kids is worth it. I will add that most expensive doesn’t always equal more value. Just like at work, find someone who shares your values and empower them to teach, challenge, and love your kids when you can’t be there.

No. There is a lot of research showing how kids that age need the 1on 1 attention, and they don’t get that in daycare. Only drawback is they have a harder time adjusting socially when they start school.

I did daycare with my oldest until he was about 2, and then switched to nanny. 100% recommend the nanny - if you find the right one (and write it into your contract), that nanny can really almost give you the same experience as daycare with more 1:1 attention. I found a nanny who was very open to providing structured activities, socialization, and lots of crafts/projects. We do a lot of intentional socialization to ensure we don’t miss that piece (a pre-preschool class through our county, swim or gymnastics classes, library storytime, etc.).

No regrets, had a nanny. But I think they would have been fine either way - for most kids (not all!) multiple solutions work!

Had a nanny for my son until he was 2.5, then he went to a 3 hour preschool in the morning and the rest of the day was covered by our nanny again. I feel like he benefitted so much having direct attention from our nanny at a young age. Our nanny became family to us and it felt so great having someone consistent in his life. I do feel like he developed skills quicker as a result of the direct attention and I don’t feel it negatively impacted him socially at all. Once he needed more socialization and showed interest in playing with other kids, a half-day preschool was really nice because he got socialization but was still able to be home to nap and our nanny helped with pick up. Obviously, finding the right person is essential to having a good experience but I highly recommend.

Just started with a nanny and it’s what my heart needs. I love her so much already, and watching her with him and knowing how much love and attention he’s getting is really making the return to work easier.
I’m just not ready to put my baby in daycare, although I am interested in a partial day situation eventually for socialization, probably after he starts talking.

We didn’t use daycare, but we did use a preschool starting at 2 (had a full time nanny for the first two years) It was great to get our child exposed to the disciplines of school, in a sweet environment and to become socialized. So important to bring independence early. Plus then you have the fun time with them, not resenting being ON 24/7.

We tried daycare and it was a disaster with constant sickness and us getting sick. Loved having a nanny and eventually transitioned to part time preschool (and nanny for other times) before starting kindergarten.

Following because my daughter has had a nanny and is going to turn 2 soon. I don’t know if I should put her in preschool full time with a part time nanny or full time nanny with part time preschool!