In this article
Individualized care or guaranteed socialization? A set child care schedule or one that is more flexible? Lack of exposure to germs or a stronger immune system? These are just some of the considerations that might be floating through your head as you weigh the pros and cons of moving your child from daycare to nanny or from nanny to daycare. Because when it comes down to it, there’s no clear right or wrong decision.
“There is not one setting — daycare versus one-on-one care at home — that is superior for children’s growth and development,” says Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a pediatrician and neonatologist in Philadelphia and author of “The Baby Bonding Book.” “Every family’s needs and resources look very different. So focusing on relationships that will support your child as they grow is key.”
When to send kids to daycare or switch from a daycare to a nanny is a highly individual decision, but there are benefits and drawbacks to each. Below, the experts and parents we spoke to share their insight and advice to guide you through this challenging decision.
nanny is a great option for children who take their time warming up to new experiences, benefit from a customized routine or thrive with one-on-one attention.
Key takeaways
- When to send kids to daycare or switch from a daycare to a nanny is a highly individual decision, but there are benefits and drawbacks to each.
- Daycare can support a child’s social-emotional growth whereas a nanny may be best for kids who benefit from a customized routine or thrive with one-on-one attention.
- Ultimately, you’ll want to consider factors like your work schedule, your child’s specific needs and the importance of early peer interactions.
Why switch from a nanny to a daycare
Perhaps you started out with a nanny when your child was a baby because you wanted them to have one-on-one attention or because you needed the extra flexibility and help around the home. And now you’re weighing if your child and your family would benefit from making the switch to a daycare. Here are some of the main reasons families make the decision to transition from nanny to daycare.
Social, emotional and cognitive benefits
If your nanny isn’t getting your child involved in outside groups (like classes or playdates), there can be less of an opportunity for socialization, as compared to a daycare, says Dr. Emily Wisniewski, a pediatrician with Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore.
Daycare naturally has plenty of opportunities for socializing, which offers key benefits. “Children get to explore problem-solving and teamwork in both big and small groups,” says Lauren Warner, a pre-kindergarten teacher at KinderCare in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Plus, daycare and preschool offer children the opportunity to develop social-emotional growth, adds Nancy Cervantes, a bilingual home visitor with Start Early, a childhood charity that is committed to providing equitable access to quality early learning for children living in under-resourced communities in Chicago. “In a group setting, children learn essential skills like sharing, cooperation and empathy,” she says. “While home environments build a strong foundation for parent-child attachment, structured group interactions help kids build confidence, communicate with peers and navigate social situations.”
“While home environments build a strong foundation for parent-child attachment, structured group interactions help kids build confidence, communicate with peers and navigate social situations.”
— Nancy Cervantes, a bilingual home visitor with Start Early, a childhood charity in Chicago
Cost considerations
Daycare tends to be cheaper than a nanny since you are foregoing that one-on-one attention, says Wisniewski.
According to the 2025 Care.com Cost of Care Report, the average weekly cost for a nanny was $827, as opposed to the average weekly daycare cost of $343. So while some families may be able to swing the cost of a nanny, the reality is that daycare is generally far more affordable for many families.
Routine and structure
With the exception of weather closures, daycares are almost always open during regular hours, says Wisniewski, which can be a huge pro for families. They also tend to have a somewhat consistent daily schedule for the children.
Why switch from a daycare to a nanny
Every child is unique, and not every child will thrive in daycare. Some children (and families) require more individualized schedules and attention than daycare can provide. With that in mind, here are some reasons you might consider switching from daycare to nanny.
Personalized care and attention
“For children who flourish in a quieter, more personalized setting, a nanny can offer the individualized care and flexibility they need,” says Gigi Schweikert, parenting and education expert and chief executive officer of Lightbridge Academy. “A nanny is a great option for children who take their time warming up to new experiences, benefit from a customized routine or thrive with one-on-one attention.”
The personalized care of a nanny was a key deciding factor for Kate D., a vice president of finance operations and parent of one in Los Angeles. “Knowing my baby wouldn’t be put on the floor or in an activity center while the carers were tending to other children was key,” she explains. A nanny was able to accommodate her child’s specific nap schedule, help with transitioning him to solids, prep his meals and tidy his space, all of which minimized her stress after a workday.
Health concerns
“It is true that children in daycare get more illnesses,” says Parga-Belinkie. “In the short term, this can be a struggle for families who are paying for reliable child care and can’t access it because their child is sick.”
She adds, “While daycare kids have more sickness when they are young, there is evidence to support when they reach school age they actually are less sick than their peers who didn’t go to a daycare.”
When it comes down to it, “if you have a child with an immune system that is not typical (either because they were born that way or they are undergoing medical therapies that weaken their immune system), home care might be better,” says Parga-Belinkie.
Some nannies may also be comfortable staying home with a sick child, whereas a daycare will likely send them home, depending on their symptoms.
Schedule needs
Typically, daycares have set schedules, and those time frames don’t always work for everyone. For example, someone who works nontraditional 9-to-5 hours may have a hard time finding a daycare with hours that work for them. Nannies are more likely to be able to provide flexible hours.
In some circumstances, a nanny can also be a more consistent form of child care. The family Grace Davis, a nanny in Kansas City, Missouri, cares for took their child out of daycare because it was closed often. “Lack of staffing caused the center that he was at to frequently have to close due to ratios being overwhelming, leaving all of their families scrambling for back up child care,” she adds.
How to ease the transition from nanny to daycare (or vice versa)
“Change is hard for everyone, especially children who rely on their daily routines for stability and comfort,” says Lauren Warner, a pre-kindergarten teacher at KinderCare in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. But there are ways to mitigate some of that distress, according to experts.
Communicate with your child
“When talking to your young child about transitioning care, honesty and simplicity are key,” says Schweikert. “Choose a calm moment to explain the change and emphasize the positive aspects of the new child care center or nanny. Let them know what to expect and plan to visit the center together so they can meet the teacher and get familiar with the new surroundings.”
Involve them in preparations
Give your child some ownership over tasks as you navigate the transition, says Warner. This can look like discussing and deciding on an outfit they will wear ahead of time or packing their lunch together the night before. This will help “reduce morning stressors,” she explains.
Have a gradual introduction
When Southwest, Wisconsin-based accountant Grace Sheffield’s child was 11 months old, her nanny quit unexpectedly. She initially searched for a replacement nanny, but it proved fruitless. “We just couldn’t spend the effort and mental energy trying to find another nanny,” she says. So she made the decision to move her baby to a daycare. The new daycare offered a couple-day trial period: The first day was a few hours, the second day was a half-day and the third day was a full day.
Schweikert adds that “many child care centers offer ‘playdates,’ which are great ways to help your little one adjust and perhaps even make a new friend.” These complimentary playdates allow children and their parents to interact with classmates and teachers and “engage in planned activities for the day,” she adds.
If you’re making the switch to a nanny, you can follow a similar game plan; have potential nannies do a trial run or a few babysitting shifts to get the child and nanny familiar with each other, says Davis.
Maintain routine and comfort
While you can’t control everything during this transition, maintaining your child’s routine where you can can lessen their discomfort. “Parents should reflect on what the schedule was for their child at the first care setting they had them in,” says Parga-Belinkie. “Were naps at a certain time? When were there opportunities to play?” And with that knowledge, see if the new child care setting can offer a similar schedule, she adds.
It can also be helpful to allow your child to have a comfort object with them, whether that’s a security blanket or a toy, says Parga-Belinkie.
Consider factors like your work schedule, your child’s specific needs and the importance of early peer interactions.
— Gigi Schweikert, parenting and education expert and chief executive officer of Lightbridge Academy
Be consistent
Whether you choose a nanny or a daycare, stranger and separation anxiety are developmentally normal and are actually a good sign, says Parga-Belinkie. It points to a secure attachment with you, their parent. But that doesn’t make it less distressing for you when they don’t want you to leave for work. The best way to support your child, however, is to create consistency, she notes.
“Make sure your child knows when you are saying goodbye to them, and don’t make it a very long goodbye,” advises Parga-Belinkie. “For the younger babies dealing with stranger anxiety, a quick hug and a distraction with a toy might be all they need. For slighter older toddlers, a ritual of hugs, kisses or high fives to let them know it’s time for you to go can get them ready to expect time away from you. Develop a routine so they come to expect you will be back after certain activities during the day.”
Have a backup plan
If your child attends a daycare, Sheffield advises having a plan when illness inevitably strikes. “Be prepared for a third of the first winter being ill, and some of it will require you to keep your kid home.” This might mean having a roster of vetted babysitters on hand to call or making a plan for when you inevitably have to stay home from work with your child.
But because nannies are human and get sick or need time off, it is important to have a secondary plan for this form of child care, too. In this case, some daycare centers offer backup care, which can be an alternative solution, says Schweikert.
A final word on switching between a daycare and a nanny
It can be difficult to know when to make the transition from a daycare to a nanny or vice versa, simply because every family’s situation is unique. When making the decision between daycare and a nanny, Schweikert advises considering “factors like your work schedule, your child’s specific needs and the importance of early peer interactions.” She adds, “There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, just what works best for your family.”
As Wisniewski concludes, “At the end of the day, as long as you work with your caregivers, you trust them and your child is well cared for, your child is going to thrive.”
