Originally published January 30, 2024. Updated October 24, 2024.

Team daycare versus team nanny may be one of the largest childcare debates of our time. Team daycare emphasizes the benefits of socialization, group education, and cost benefits. Team nanny screams about flexibility, convenience, and individual attention. Who do you believe? The answer probably won't surprise you: it depends.

In a perfect world, we'd give you a direct answer to what to choose. We'll do the next best thing, which is to give you all the information you need to make the decision yourself. We'll go through the pros and cons of daycare and nannies, along with questions to ask yourself to make the right decision.

What's Important to You

Before we begin, think about what's important to you when it comes to childcare. There are a ton of different childcare options, all with their own benefits. Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. Here are some things to consider:

Whether you value individual attention or social interaction more.
Your work schedule and how much flexibility you need.
Your budget and how many children you have.
Your ability to find different childcare if something comes up.
Whether you also want to hire a housekeeper or other household help.
How urgently you need childcare.

We'll dive into each of these considerations more, but here's a quick chart that can help you see which option provides which value:

Daycare vs. Nannies

Personalized Attention vs. Social Interaction

Consider your child's temperament and developmental stage. If your little one thrives on individualized attention and a familiar environment, a nanny might be the perfect match. On the other hand, if socialization and learning through group dynamics are crucial, daycare could be the ideal choice.

*If you are hiring a nanny, you can still give your children socialization opportunities through free programs like ‘Strong Start’ in the Lower Mainland. Many local authorities provide child-friendly classes in local rec centres and libraries for zero-to-low cost as well. These are drop-in and can be attended by a nanny from as little as an hour to almost a full day.

Work Schedule and Flexibility

Assess your work schedule and lifestyle. In today's increasingly flexible work environment, especially with more people working remotely or hybrid, a nanny may better accommodate changing schedules or last-minute work demands.

If your hours are unpredictable or extend beyond the typical 9-to-5, the flexibility offered by a nanny might align seamlessly with your needs. If you need childcare after 5:00 pm, on weekends, or have a varying schedule, a nanny may better suit your needs. Plus, the convenience of a nanny coming to your home rather than commuting is unmatched.

However, you may not mind pick-ups and drop-offs, and your schedule is set. In that case, daycare, with its fixed operating hours, could be a better fit for those with a more structured daily routine.

Home Environment vs. Communal Setting

Reflect on your home environment and the value you place on it. If the comfort of your child being in a familiar home setting is a priority, a nanny may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you appreciate the structured routine and communal learning experiences of a daycare, it might better suit your family dynamics.

Reliability

Don't get me wrong, a good nanny is reliable. However, when relying on a single nanny to care for your family, things tend to come up outside of their control. Whether they are running late due to traffic, taking a sick day or vacation time, or the inevitable turnover, you could be scrambling to find a replacement. Since daycares tend to have multiple employees and procedures in place for coverage, it's less of an issue.

If a nanny does cancel, this is where on-demand platforms come in! Post a job on AmbiMi, and we’ll match you to nannies for those last-minute needs.

Additional Household Help

If you are planning to hire or find value in extended services beyond childcare, a nanny may be the versatile solution you're seeking. Nannies can help with errands, house cleaning, pet care, and meal prepping.

Urgency

Do you need childcare tomorrow, or do you need it a year from now?

Urgency plays a big role in the daycare versus nanny decision.

With the $10-a-Day program expanding across Canada in 2024, some families can benefit from reduced daycare fees (hurrah!) — though long waitlists remain a challenge.

Daycare's challenge lies in long waiting lists and demanding planning far in advance. Whereas nannies are usually quicker to hire and can be accessible through platforms (like AmbiMi) offering a swifter solution for reliable, last-minute childcare and accommodating immediate needs. Balancing urgency and preferences ensures a timely, quality childcare solution for your family.

Financial Consideration

Your budget may be the largest factor. Evaluate the financial aspects of both options. While a nanny might incur a higher cost for a single child, daycare could be more budget-friendly, especially as your family grows. A lot of parents turn to daycares due to the lower cost but don't consider the added cost for each child. Plus, if you were thinking of hiring a housekeeper or other helper around your home, it could be more affordable to get all-in-one with a nanny.

If it’s within your budget, we recommend a nanny for personalized care, along with the other benefits listed above. Daycare is still a good alternative, but we prefer the added value of a nanny.

Other Considerations

Another thing to note is the hiring and vetting process, and this is applicable to both daycares and nannies. When finding a daycare, some things to keep in mind that we haven't noted are the proximity to your home or work, the ratio of children to caretakers, and what's provided (food, diapers, wipes, etc.). You should also vet the daycare, but in a different way than you would vet nannies. Meet the staff and check out the facilities to see the environment, their approach, and if their personality matches your children's.

When it comes to hiring a nanny, you'll likely want to complete background and reference checks (or use a platform that does it for you). You will essentially become a manager in terms of their responsibilities, performance, schedule, and pay.

As you embark on the decision-making process, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The childcare journey is as unique as your family, and your needs and priorities should take center stage in this decision-making ballet.

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Think a nanny is the right option for you? Try AmbiMi today!

Daycare vs. Nannies: Which is the Best Option for Your Family?