Finding quality childcare can be a major parenting challenge. In essence, you're looking for a mommy or daddy substitute — someone who will nurture, love, cuddle, play with, and care for your child in your stead. If you're returning to work, start thinking about childcare soon after your baby's born — or as early as your second trimester if you live in a big city or anyplace where good childcare is scarce or in high demand. It takes time to find the right situation, and competition for the best providers can be intense.
Our chart helps you compare and contrast your options: daycare center, home daycare, nanny care, preschool, relative care, and staying at home.
Last updated August 2007
| Type of childcare | Average cost for full-time care | Advantages | Disadvantages | ||
| Daycare center To find one, click here | $316 to $1221 a month for babies and toddlers (average $679) | • More affordable than nanny care • Reliable (won't call in sick) • Ample supervision • Toddlers can socialize with other children of same or other age groups • Staff members are trained in early childhood education • Licensed and regulated | • Teachers care for more than one child; recommended ratios are typically 1 to 3 for babies, 1 to 4 for toddlers, but requirements vary from state to state • Centers that care for infants can be hard to find — or full • Kids get sick more often • Most centers won't provide care for sick children • Closed during most holidays • Rigid pickup and drop-off times | ||
| Home daycare To find one, click here | • $344 to $792 a month for babies and toddlers (average $525) • $295 to $750 a month for preschoolers (average $474) | • Nurturing, homelike atmosphere • Smaller groups of children than at large daycare centers • Less expensive than most other childcare • Kids socialize with children in the same and other age groups • Usually more flexible pickup and drop-off times than a center | • No backup if provider gets sick • Most providers don't have formal schooling in early childhood education • No caregiver supervision • Less stringent licensing requirements | ||
| Nanny To find one, click here | $500 to $700 a week ($2,167 to $3,033 a month); live-in nannies usually receive a bit less | • More personalized attention • In-home care is more convenient than out-of-home care • More flexible than daycare and home daycare centers • Children stay in familiar surroundings | • Most expensive childcare option • No nanny supervision • Playtime with other children must be specially arranged, either by you or the nanny • Extensive paperwork and taxes (read about hiring a nanny legally) • Can leave you in the lurch if she quits, becomes sick, or is otherwise unavailable | ||
| Relative care | Often free, but if you choose to pay, aim for minimum wage in your state or more. You can also offer to do chores, give gift certificates, or pay an occasional bill for a relative caregiver. | • More personalized attention • Caregiver has personal interest in your child • You may share the same values • Very inexpensive (many relatives refuse payment) | • Employee-employer relationship is hard to establish with a relative • Your childcare philosophies may conflict • Playtime with other children must be specially arranged, either by you or your relative • No caregiver supervision or regulation • Older relatives may have a hard time handling active toddlers | ||
| Stay-at-home parent | No extra cost — but income drops if you were working before | • No one truly replaces Mom or Dad • You get to be there for your child's developmental milestones • You control the quality of the care • You don't have to explain your rules or parenting philosophy to others • You avoid the work-family tug-of-war | • Possible isolation and loneliness, especially if you give up a job you cherished or don't know many other stay-at-home parents • Physical and emotional strain on you • Some people feel an identity loss from shelving or leaving a career • Playtime with other children usually must be specially arranged • Loss of income — you may need to make some lifestyle changes | ||
| Although preschools technically fall in the same category as daycare centers — they're licensed and regulated by the same bodies — they typically have a more academic focus. If you have an older toddler or young child (2 through 5), preschool is definitely an option. | |||||
| Preschool To find one, click here | $316 to $910 a month (average of $535 a month) | • Structured environment • Well regulated • Reliable (won't quit on you or call in sick) • Developmentally appropriate learning curriculum • Teachers are trained in early childhood education • Built-in chance for your child to socialize with other kids • More educational activities and outings | • Teachers have to care for more than one child; minimum ratio is 1 to 8 • Kids get sick more often — and schools don't let sick kids attend • Closed during most holidays • Rigid pickup and drop-off times | ||
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