If you’re looking at childcare options in the Collierville area, you may be contemplating if it is better to enroll your child in daycare or hire a nanny.
Let’s examine what each option offers so you can make the best decision for your family.
Cost: Daycare vs. Nanny
The cost of a nanny varies depending on the qualifications and experience of the nanny. The city and state can also impact pricing. According to CARE.com, the average cost of a nanny for one child is $827 per week or about $20.68 per hour. If you have more children, the rate for a nanny would be higher.
Be wary of a nanny who charges under-average prices; this could be a sign of poor childcare! Especially since nannies operate in a private setting with less outside supervision or accountability, you could be putting your child at risk of incurring physical or sexual abuse or facing safety risks such as exposure to smoking, drugs, or negligence.
In contrast, the average daycare costs in Tennessee are $90-$249 per week. Tennessee also provides financial assistance to qualifying families for childcare. Nannies don’t accept financial assistance.
Safety: Daycare vs. Nanny
As previously stated, hiring a nanny can be risky, even if you hire from a reputable source or a trusted friend. There are some things you won’t know about the nanny, even after a thorough interview, such as how they cope with anger or frustration, how much time they spend on their phone, or their driving skills and safety.
Hire a nanny from a reputable source or perform your own thorough interviews and background checks. Your child’s safety depends on your research!
In a daycare setting, there’s significantly less reason to worry about your child’s safety. At Collierville Christian Academy, we only hire qualified teachers who have undergone thorough background checks. Our staff receive several breaks a day, unlike a nanny who may not have any breaks. Our business policies protect children’s privacy and hold staff accountable.
Socialization: Daycare vs. Nanny
Socialization comes naturally in a daycare setting. Children are with peers all day long, learning foundational social skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives. Children in a daycare setting know how to make friends with new teachers and kids in kindergarten, which helps them focus on their education.
While children can certainly be socialized with nanny services, this is a little harder to come by. Nannies, operating similarly to parents, must plan social activities for the child–taking them to the library, park, playgroup, or other activities. This can mean extra hurdles to jump through; for instance, you must provide the nanny with a car seat, pay for gas money, and sign your child up for activities.
At Collierville Christian Academy, your child will gain all the benefits of socialization without adding to your to-do list or finances!
Education: Daycare vs. Nanny
If your child is an infant or toddler, they may not need much formal education at their current age. However, this doesn’t mean infants and toddlers can’t learn valuable concepts, even at a young age. Early childhood education starts in infancy, although it isn’t formal education yet. There are many ways adults help infants and young children understand the world around them through books, music, colors, art, nature walks, and so much more!
Pre-K and school-aged children need more supervision and guidance to meet standard education requirements. However, educating children doesn’t come naturally to every nanny. Some nannies are better than others at teaching, especially if your child has learning differences or difficulties.
Additionally, nannies may charge extra for providing educational services. They may have special certifications or experience levels that, while beneficial for your child, make them a more expensive childcare option.
At Collierville Christian Academy, we put a high priority on quality curriculum so every child is successful and meeting educational milestones. We hire experienced teachers who engage children so they have fun while they are learning. Children at Collierville Christian Academy receive a well-rounded early childhood education so they are ready for kindergarten and beyond!
Younger children are included in our early childhood education, too! From infanthood, we provide educational experiences that engage all five senses, encourage fine and gross motor skills, and most importantly are fun.
These educational experiences all come at no extra cost to you!
So which is better, daycare or nanny services?
Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents prefer the one-on-one attention from a nanny, while this isn’t a priority for other families.
With affordable prices, better safety and education standards, and abundant social opportunities, Collierville Christian Academy should be at the top of your childcare list.