Love. You knew you loved your child the moment you held her in your arms. Or maybe you knew when you first saw the double lines on the at-home pregnancy test. Either way, your child has become your universe. You’ve had his puke, tears and poo on your finest clothes and barely batted an eye. You’ve rocked, soothed, shushed and cuddled until you could see the adoration oozing from your pores. Your conversations and Facebook updates are all about him. Yes, he’s become as important to you as your beating heart — and now you have to go back to work.
Everyone talks about work/life balance, but it’s the stress of trying to set up reliable childcare that can really set the stage for the new juggling act you’re about to know and love. When you’re returning to work and trying to figure out who will watch your child, the options can be overwhelming. It’s hard enough to mentally and logistically prepare for a new job of being a parent, but add in fears, emotions (um, hormones), financial factors and time constraints and it seems like finding the right child care is the toughest and most important job in the world.
And then there’s what “everyone else is doing.” You’ve likely heard neighbourhood parents or friends rave about their new au pair, trusted day care centre or loyal nanny. But you have to remember that what’s right for one family may not be right for yours. So we asked experts to share pros and cons around choosing and using day care centres, nannies (including live-in nannies) and au pairs.
Au Pair Programmes
What are they?
They are a cultural exchange programme – and not solely a child care position – with requirements for both families and care providers, according to Tanna Wilson, managing director at Go Au Pair. “
To be an au pair in Australia candidates must have a Working Holiday visa, be between 18 and 30 years of age, have 5,000 AUD in savings, as well as other requirements.
How do they work?
Au pairs can do light housework as it pertains to the children. They can clean areas of the house the children use, change their linens and do their laundry — but can’t do any hard scrubbing or wash windows.
Au pairs: The pros
“Au pairs are more than child care providers; they are role models, mentors, big brothers, big sisters and friends,” Wilson says. You can count on a set number of child care hours per week. Your family gets exposure to a new culture; your kids can even learn a new language.
Au pairs are generally cheaper than other forms of child care. In addition to room and board, au pairs are entitled to the national minimum wage.
Au pairs: The considerations
Families who hire au pairs must provide all the recommended requirements such as a private, clean and cosy room for the au pair. You may compromise your privacy as someone shares your house and, depending on your set-up, your kitchen, living space and more. Those cultural differences that may be entertaining may take some getting used to. You may need to temper your hopes for housekeeping help; she is not a live-in maid. You’ll need to be comfortable having her drive your car.
Who are they best for?
Families with an extra bedroom, bathroom and living space so a caregiver – and the family – can have a little freedom. Families who have erratic hours or may have to work late unexpectedly – you can avoid day care centre late fees or a nanny who has to leave to get home to her own kids. Families who want to expose their kids to different cultures, but who don’t mind transitioning caregivers every one to two years.
Looking for an au pair? Find au pairs from around the world now.
Day Nurseries
What are they?
Day nurseries are offered by private providers, councils, communities or workplaces in their homes or in standalone centres. It’s important to know your local licensing requirements and regulations.
Once you’ve found a licensed provider, you need to go there – and show up with a written list of questions (such as how will I learn about my child’s day? Can I pop in unannounced? What is a typical day’s schedule? Is there a curriculum the centre follows?). Don’t trust yourself to remember everything you want to ask. Follow your list, and write down the answers you receive.
How do they work?
Find a list of day nurseries in your neighbourhood, read reviews and take tours. There is often a wait-list 6 months to a year, so it’s a good idea to do your research as soon as you learn you are pregnant (you can always take yourself off the wait-list if you choose another option). Ask about teacher-student ratios, activities and schedules in a typical day and how they keep the facility secure. Be observant; look around at the quality of play equipment, cleanliness of the rooms and the way caregivers interact with the kids. Most centres will give you a packet to review which will include an application and service fees. Consider cost factors and realise they can vary according to where you live.
Day nurseries: The pros
A day nursery provides a wonderful opportunity for children to play together, learn from peers and in many cases gain preschool skills. If one caregiver is sick, there are generally backups in place, so your schedule won’t be disrupted. And some day nursery facilities include meals (no need to pack lunch!) and children can eat in a group.
For one child, this can be incredibly cost efficient. Your child will get more social interaction. He’ll have a learning or activity structure; you may get regular written reports/updates on his development, i.e. how he napped or something new he tried and enjoyed. Some centres even have webcams so parents can log in and watch their babies sleep!
Day nurseries: The considerations
The big thing everyone talks about is illness: When one kid gets sick, they may all get sick – then you can’t bring him and you are scrambling to find back-up child care or opting to miss work. (The benefit here is that supposedly a good immune system is built after their first year.) Nap time is sporadic for a while. Your kid may not get a lot of one-on-one attention. Mornings can add stress, as you try to get yourself and your child ready and out of the house on time. Most centres are closed on holidays, even ones you might not have off. You may have to race there by closing time to avoid paying late fees.
Who are they best for?
Families with only one child; after that, it may not be cost-effective. Families with a set schedule where one can do pickup by the centre’s closing bell (often 5:30). Parents who want a high level of social interaction for their child before the preschool years. Scenarios where the location and logistics work, like a good day care nursery near your house or conveniently located on the way to your office.
Nannies
What are they?
According to Sheilagh Roth, who founded the English Nanny & Governess School 27 years ago and serves as executive director, a nanny is a person “who nurtures and cares for children and addresses their physical, emotional and intellectual health in a safe environment.” You can choose between hiring a live-in (providing you have a spare bedroom, this option has less rules than an au pair agency regulates), a live-out nanny, or a nanny share.
How do they work?
Find nannies within a quick commute. Interview them over the phone, run background checks, meet in person, test with your children, hire. (Care.com lets you post a job with your specific needs and hours so the nannies come to you.) Remember, it’s an employee-employer relationship. You are required to track and report her earnings to state and federal governments.
Nannies: The pros
There’s no rush to get your child up, dressed, fed and out the door so you can get to work on time. Nap times and set routines are easier to stick to. You have more control over the activities and daily schedule, including food prep. A nanny can help the child get out and explore the world — even a trip to the supermarket can be an experience (and solve your “what to make for dinner” worries if you find someone who cooks). Nannies can take care of sick kids, even going solo to doctor sick visits. Depending on the person, you can find someone who will take care of your house, kids and errands — meeting the plumber or electrician for maintenance issues, doing laundry and picking up milk. The right nanny can work with your child’s temperament and learning style, often aiding the parents to meet specific developmental goals. They can also befriend other nannies and arrange age-appropriate play dates or outings.
Nannies: The considerations
Having someone in your house may bother you; you may have to deal with a nanny contract and taxes; and if the nanny gets sick or goes on vacation, you’ll need to have a backup plan in place (and yes, you are supposed to pay for her sick days and at least 2 weeks of vacation). You may have to suggest playful ideas or sign up for activities (often costing more money) to ensure your child is stimulated. You may also choose to enroll your toddler in half-day pre-kindergarten programme for a structured learning atmosphere, but at an additional cost, leaving the nanny in charge of pick-up and drop-off. Driving is another factor parents have to think about. Are you comfortable with someone driving your kids to and from activities? Can you afford more car seats? You’ll want to make sure she has reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license and any requird insurance.
Nannies: The cost
You should pay a nanny at least minimum wage. Many nannies will charge an hourly wage that is higher than this. The cost will depend on where you live, the number of hours, number/age of kids and previous experience. Use our pay scale calculator to determine the going rate in your area. It’s important to do your own background check and to follow up and check references.
Who are they best for?
Often this is more cost-efficient for families with two or more children (or a pet) and especially convenient for parents who would benefit from a clean house, a walked-dog and well-fed kids when they get home from work. Families with erratic work schedules who can’t always make a 5:30 pick-up greatly benefit from having a nanny they can call when a meeting runs late.
If you have an infant or a very young child, you may find a nanny to be your best option, as care is provided in your home and the baby is getting the one-on-one attention you would give if you were home.
>> Looking for a nanny? Find nannies in your area now.
