Daycare options are a sensitive topic, fraught with class and financial issues. There are no hard data on whether daycare or at-home-care is better for children. Both options have pros and cons, including logistical hurdles. If the at-home caregiver is a nanny, economics will factor in; paying a nanny to take care of a single child is considerably more costly than sending one child to a daycare center. The tables begin to turn if you have two or more kids, in which case the cost of hiring a nanny may be similar to, or even lower than sending the kids to daycare. Debates also rage on what type of care is better for a child's development. Daycare centers provide pedagogical activities and ample opportunity for socializing and learning to function in big groups. On the downside, daycare centers also offer up exposure to a cornucopia of germs and children in daycare are more likely to be sick often than children cared for at home. Those who favor nannies feel that a child will learn to socialize with large groups of people soon enough and that the individualized care a nanny can provide far outweighs any scheduled activities at a daycare center.
Dr. Sears "Work with Mom or Daycare?""I still think that at this age, going to work with mom is better than daycare. Watching mom work will probably provide some good stimulation; you will notice that he is very busy checking out what is going on around him. You will also be able to hold him occasionally if needed." ...read the full article
Pregnancy.org "Daycare vs. Nannycare: The pros and cons""Daycare [...] is one of the most affordable options for childcare. Your child's care provider is in a supervised environment with many adults present. [However] it is very likely that your child will be sick more frequently. Nannycare [provides]one-on-one care for your child. This is especially desirable in the infant years. Babies are held more often, comforted when crying. Your child is cared for in a familiar and comfortable environment, your home. [However] Nannycare is the most expensive form of childcare. [Though the] cost becomes more comparable to daycare when 2 or more children are cared for by the nanny. " ...read the full article
Canadian Parents "The Pros and Cons of In-home vs. Out-of-Home Childcare""Choosing childcare is one of the most difficult decisions you'll ever have to make as a parent — but also one of the most important. That's why it's important to learn as much as you can about your various childcare options so that you can make the decision that's right for your family." ...read the full article
Family Education "In-Home Care vs. Commercial Daycare Centers""There are quite a few differences between in-home care and commercial daycare centers. The centers have more children, more teachers, much larger spaces, and more structured activities. Whether it is better for a child to be with an in-home care provider or at a commercial center depends on the quality of the caregivers, the programs offered, and the needs of the child." ...read the full article
City Guide "The Debate: Day Care vs. Home Care""If you've got children under five, chances are you're facing some sort of daycare dilemma. The News-Press and NBC 2 take an in-depth look at today's daycare issues, concerns and options. [...] 20 million American children from birth to third grade are in some form of childcare outside the home. Some are in daycare because their parents have to work for financial reasons. Others because both parents choose to work." ...read the full article