Daycare vs. nanny while WFH

[u/Cautious_Optimist_]

Perspective needed. My husband and I both WFH. We’re trying to quickly decide on childcare for our first little one who will be 3 months old when we need care to start. We were originally set on finding a nanny to watch our son until he is mobile and verbal, but have pivoted to strongly considering daycare. The high cost of a nanny in our area (at least $750/month more than daycare that could be put towards a 529 or other investment account for our son to use down the road) and the thought of him crying throughout the day in the next room while we work are reasons for the pivot. Both of our jobs can be high stress with days filled with constant meetings and I already struggle hearing him cry in the next room with my husband when I’m not working - having him away from the house so we can focus on work seems more manageable. At the same time, I don’t like the idea of our 3 month old going to daycare with a 5:1 teacher infant ratio and the increased risk of him getting sick, plus some workdays are slower where I love the thought of being able to spend some extra minutes with our little one in between meetings/work tasks. My husband supports whatever I’m comfortable with doing to make sure I don’t have regrets later on. I keep going back and forth on what the right thing to do is, but need to make a decision in the next few weeks. Any perspective on other experiences with this would be very appreciated!

[u/OliveKP]

I am huge fan of nanny for the first year or so (maybe 18 months) then daycare. Saving the commute time gives you more time together and nanny can help with all the baby laundry and bottle washing, and support introducing solids which is huuuge. Plus you get to see them more. But with both my kids I hit that “you need more interaction and I need my house back” point. Also if it’s your first you can put off being sick constantly until they’re a bit older

[u/zazrouge → u/OliveKP]

We transitioned from nanny to daycare at 2y, and 18mo would have also been fine just the realities of waitlists. It really helped ease some day to day stressors- no commute, no packing lunch, less illness, dishes and laundry got done, I could visit my child, I always knew what they were up to. Having a nanny is managing an employee, and around 18mo we realized we were ready for daycare. But it was really perfect to have the nanny as a bridge back into work and into childcare!