[Submitted Question]

I am planning to return to work when our daughter is six months old. However, I feel completely overwhelmed in choosing the right kind of daycare provider for her. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each kind?

Gail V., Rhode Island

[WombToBloom]

The ones that come to mind are:

Daycare center – PROS: usually have early morning hours; licensed and regulated by state; many children for socialization; easy to locate and check references and inspections; generally pretty scheduled and organized – CONS: often strict about pick-up times, charging by the minute for late pick-up; many children for germ socialization; sometimes high staff turnover; sometimes seem less personal due to caregiver:child ratio

In-home Care Provider – PROS: often flexible with schedules; can and should be licensed and regulated by state; fewer children for more personal attention – CONS: can be difficult to identify and get into (usually word-of-mouth marketing and often only take a few kids at a time); might not be able to watch your child if hers is sick or if she decides to go on vacation; fewer children for peer socialization

What else are you guys thinking about these choices?

[MrsAshley]

I'm for a nanny as opposed to a day care simply because I've nannied in the past and my best friend worked at a high scale day care through school. With a nanny you may pay more but you get one on one attention and someone who will genuinely grow attached and loved your child. Day cares do have an extremely high turn over rate and children and workers (until they become immune) are often sick. I would recommend finding a nanny just out of college because then they are old enough to handle responsibility but hopefully have no kids of their own. Their schedules are usually very flexible to meet your needs. Nannies will often bath children, feed them (possibly fix dinner for you), fold clothes and small chores while your child naps. I've used a great agency before to scout out a good candidate for my nanny needs but I don't want to advertise for them here. If you're interested you can find a button for them on the sidebar of my blog. Best of luck in your childcare search!

[Chelziee]

My son has been in both. I prefer the In home more than the public. I feel there is a more personal relationship with my son and the care-giver. I also feel that the child to adult ratio is much more reasonable. For us it is also a little cheaper. When he was in a public day care he was more sick, and learned less. Some times with in home daycare the hours can be more reasonable or not. And its important that if it is an in home care giver to know that the car giver is insured for the children she is watching.
Hope this helps!