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/Affectionate-Bar4960]

Lots of good comments here but another Team Daycare vote! Both of my kids started around 12-14 weeks and they’ve truly thrived in daycare. They were always well cared for as babies, they lift some of the mental load (they started solids with our 6 month olds, provide lunch, so much activity, teach open cups and table manners, I could go on!). It’s also nice that you’re not having to juggle schedules around just one person. If the teacher is sick or on vacation there are floaters to jump in. You can use the cost savings for 529, and/or put it towards a meal service or cleaning person. Most people we know who started with a nanny shifted to daycare for the flexibility, socialization, and academic focus. We’re getting ready to send our first to Kindergarten and have zero regrets on the daycare path!