Childcare Centers

Organized childcare facilities are becoming more and more popular for working parents. Close to 30% of children who are cared for during the day while their parents are working go to a licenced childcare center.  These centers care provide a more school-like setting with plenty of adults and  children their  own age.   Childcare facilities  accomodate more children than the other options and usually group children by age.  Many offer  a variety of activities and a curriculum to enhance learning.

Pros:

• State licensed facilities are inspected at least once per year for health and safety requirements
• When a careggiver is sick there are enough adults to always provide care for your child(ren).
• Research has shown improved cognitive and language skills in children placed in high quality center based care.
• Large facilities often have more toys, equipment, supplies and a larger play area than other solutions.
• Many centers have a staff trained in early childhood development.

In-Home Caregivers

Approximately 35% of children who have one or more parents who are employed out if the home, are cared for in their own home by family members such as a parent, grandparents or other relatives.  There is also the option of bringing someone into your home to watch your children.  Both allow more one-on-one personal attention in a comfortable, familiar environment.

Nanny

The title "nanny" can refer to a large spectrum of potential candidates ?- from a college student looking for work or course credit, or a woman (or man) with years of experience but no formal training, to a graduate of an accredited nanny school. The cost of employing a nanny also varies accordingly. A nanny may even live with your family.  One other distinction is that a nanny is your employee. That means you have more control over the job description and expectations, but you're also responsible for tax forms, employee benefits and possibly worker's compensation in the event of an on-the-job injury.

Pros:

• You get one-on-one care.  A nanny is paid only for your children so they should receive more individualized attention.
• Since a nanny is an employee, many parents feel that they have more say in how their children are cared for.
• A nanny may take care of basic household chores if written into the job description.
• There is no need to get the children up and ready in the morning.  The nanny will get them ready for you!

 Au Pair

An Au Pair is a foreign exchange student who comes on a cultural exchange visa.  They commit to spending up to 45 hours per week caring for the children of the host family.  These are not considered employees.  They live with the family as a guest.

Pros:

• Your au pair will come from another country and bring their culture, language and knowledge into the home.
• Agencies work to find the most compatible match for your family.
• Child care in convenient and flexible.
• The cost is less than that of a nanny despite agency fees, a weekly stipend and room and board.

Home Daycare

Many times (over 30%), children receive care in other people's homes such as their grandparents or another relative; even more commonly, in a family daycare center. These are centers where the child care provider cares for children in her own home, often in addition to her own child(ren). These centers may offer more flexibility than typical daycare centers, in terms of days and hours. Most states have licensing requirements for family daycare centers, although you will need to evaluate the center carefully yourself and check the provider's qualifications.

Pros:

• A home based center provides a comfortable environment.
• There are fewer kids than a center based facility but enough to provide socialization time. The ages are also usually diverse, so they have the opportunity to learn a variety of social skills.
• Siblings will likely be together.
• Many feel that a home care situation offers more flexibility in terms of routine and activities than the large child-care center.