Which Is Better: Daycare or Home Childcare?

If you’re weighing the pros and cons of your childcare options, you’re not alone! There are many quality childcare options in the Collierville area. There are many factors to consider, such as:

  • Location
  • Cost
  • Availability
  • Schedule

Let’s take a look at how daycare and home childcare compare.

Location: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

Everyone has different preferences for an ideal location. Some are willing to drive further, while others prefer the closest option possible. Neither is right or wrong–it’s all about what works for your family situation.

Collierville Christian Academy is conveniently located right off I-269 and Poplar Avenue on Collierville Arlington Road. You can’t go wrong with our location!

Cost: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

As private businesses, daycares and home childcares have their own pricing pyramids. In Tennessee, the average cost of childcare is $4,000-$11,000 annually. Typically, infant care is more expensive than school-aged care because infants need more supervision than school-aged children. 

As you inquire into each business, you will find a spectrum of prices. But be wary of childcare that charges under average prices; this could be a red flag that the childcare provided is poor. 

Availability: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

It can be hard to find a daycare or home childcare with availability! This is especially true of infant age groups since infant classrooms are capped at 6 children. 

Typically, daycares have more availability than home childcare options. This is because home childcare options can only provide care for 6 children, depending on the ages of the enrolled children. 

In contrast, daycare classrooms have higher ratio allowances. This means you’re more likely to find available childcare in a daycare like Collierville Christian Academy

Schedule: Daycare vs. Home Childcare

Daycares can maintain a consistent schedule because they employ multiple staff members. Collierville Christian Academy is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. This is extremely beneficial to families because it means reliable childcare.

In contrast, home childcare is a little less dependable. What happens if the provider is too ill to provide care, has a family emergency, or takes a vacation? You must find outside childcare–sometimes at a last-minute’s notice. While this is not to say home childcare providers are generally reliable, there’s peace of mind knowing that daycares like Collierville Christian Academy will always be available to take your child!

Additionally, home childcare may not have the 12-hour childcare window that Collierville Christian Academy does. While this may not be a problem for some families, our flexible time window allows you to take that early or late shift, run an errand before picking up your child, and not stress if you’re stuck in traffic. 

So which is better, daycare or home childcare? 

Ultimately, that decision is up to you. There isn’t a superior option because every family situation is different. Some parents value the intimacy of home childcare and that children of all ages play together, while this isn’t as important for other parents. 

At daycare, your child has opportunities that home childcare doesn’t provide, such as field trips, quality curriculum taught by teachers, and same-age peer interaction. 

With a convenient location, affordable prices, better availability, and dependable childcare, Collierville Christian Academyshould be at the top of your childcare list.