What are the pros and cons of in-home nanny care?

A nanny provides individualized one-on-one care for your child(ren). Many nannies have educational and/or previous employment experience working with children. In-home care tends to be less stressful for both parent and child, as the daily shuttle to and from daycare, tracking coats, toys, etc. is eliminated. Many parents also choose nanny care because their child(ren) is not exposed to all of the childhood illnesses that are passed around in a group of children. Also, many nannies will agree to work extended hours, particularly important if your job has unexpected overtime, travel, etc. The issue of sick child care is also covered with nanny care; the nanny will watch your child when s/he has a temperature, the daycare center cannot and will not.

On the flip side, nanny care is unsupervised and the parent must do careful screening of any potential caregiver. Nanny care is the most expensive form of child care, with most families paying 20K - $50K per year for full time nannies. Nannies are in high demand and there is a lot of competition in the marketplace for the qualified nanny.  Lack of socialization may be an issue for an only child; however, this can be covered by play groups, trips to the park, and other activities outside the home supervised by the nanny.

Not all child care logistical problems are magically solved by nanny care.  There may be issues on how to cover days when the nanny is ill or there are weather emergencies. A nanny who leaves the job will leave you in a lurch; emergency backup plans must be considered.

Families engaging a nanny become employers. The nanny needs supervision and direction like any other employee. Nanny employers also assume certain employment tax and insurance obligations. Families typically pay taxes and insurance in the amount of 10% over the nanny's gross salary.  MORE INFORMATION

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