Child Care Options for Working Parents – Comparing Costs, Size and Values
Your Growing Family
Congratulations! If you’re reading this, your family is growing. Perhaps you’re expecting your first, or you’re a seasoned parent who is welcoming Baby #surprise! into your family. There are lots of child care options for working parents. Choosing child care is a complex decision for any family, no matter what stage of life you find yourself in.
At the heart of child care options for working parents is the frustrating but realistic conflict between:
What do we want? What can we afford?
I hate to admit it, but at the end of the day, our family (like yours) may have to look deep within at values about these two questions. Notice that when I say “afford”, I’m not only talking about finances. This is a questions about values: Can we afford not to send our child to a place that ______? (fill in the blank for your family) The answer to this question may be related to faith, parenting practices, learning philosophy, discipline, or diet. Ex. Can we afford not to send our child to a place that promotes early literacy? Uses Montessori methods? Has no screens? Has a 1-to-4 ratio of licensed caregivers? Etc.
A general guideline to consider is this: the lower the ratio of adult-to-child, the more expensive the care. Ex. A nanny who works 1-on-1 with your family is more expensive than a child care center with a 1-to-4 ratio of adults to children.
Each family goes through this deep, soul-searching process when exploring child care options for working parents. You’re not alone! By no means do I have the correct answer for your family, nor do I have opinions about which option is best for anyone. However, having considered all of the options that follow, here are a few things to consider about the many amazing options out there, once Baby arrives.
Check out our awesome tips for creating a working parents’ baby registry and how to design an amazing nursery in 7 easy steps!
Child Care Options for Working Parents
Stay at Home
Those first precious months after Baby arrives are magical! After recovering from childbirth and pregnancy, then starting to get into a routine with Little One, being home with Baby is a very special time. I remember when I brought my first baby in to see my co-workers. My boss said to me privately and very lovingly, “So, are you coming back?” You see, they knew that something happens for many parents. And me not returning was a true possibility.
In the United States, Leave after childbirth is typically 3 (very fast) months long. This short window of time can leave parents feeling like they need more time with their new baby, and I have seen several professionals decide, after Leave, that they are going to stay home with Baby.
I’m willing to bet that most families “do the math” and ask themselves, “Can we afford to stay home and care for Baby ourselves?” We weight out the pros and cons of leaving current jobs in order to stay at home. Each family’s situation is different, and the option of staying home with Baby is a very personal decision.
My closest friends tell me, “You’ll long for those baby years when they’re older!” The perspectives of other parents weighed heavily as our family considered this child care option.
Family or Friends
If you are fortunate enough to live near family or friends who can provide child care, congratulations! Many parents out there are in new towns, live significant distances away from family members, or are only starting to develop relationships with fellow parents.
Think: is there anyone in my life (family or friend) who would be interested in (and capable of) providing childcare? We joke in our family about grandparents being “built-in babysitters”. For us, they are central to our family’s life, and it’s important to us that they spend as much time with our kids as possible. Might they be quality child care providers, while also building that strong bond with the little one?
As with any child care option, there’s always the subject of payment. I’m not going to go too far into this juicy subject, but know that this can add complexity to relationships. Good luck 😉
Questions to consider: What is the setting where my child will be? Do I feel safe leaving my child there for __ hours? Are they 100% capable? Can I talk to them if there’s something with which we disagree? What is their schedule, and how well does it mesh with mine? What is their philosophy on discipline – learning – food – screen time – etc.?
In-Home Daycare
There are many amazing in-home daycare providers in every city out there! Consummate professionals who love children, are natural educators, are trust-worthy, and provide amazing care for little ones. Are you hesitant about the size of some of the big centers out there? Do you seek a family-like atmosphere where your child interacts with others, but in a smaller setting? Do you know of a reputable provider? Is there a provider who is conveniently located near your work or home?
Questions to consider: What is the setting where my child will be? When calculated, what is the ratio of adult-to-child at all times? Do they practice child safety and sanitation? Are they a state-licensed daycare provider (and does that matter to me)? What is their record as a child care provider? Who will have access to your child – their older children? Neighbors? Spouses? What is their philosophy on ___ ?
Cost-related Questions: Do I pay when my child doesn’t attend? How often will rates change? What are their hours, and does that work with my work schedule?
I encourage you to do lots of research, and don’t be afraid to ask “awkward” questions! Many states have child resource centers to help you find licensed in-home providers who are subject to random checks and tight oversights. Contact your local childcare resource center (or WIC or Department of Human Services) to learn where to start!
Child Care Center
Just as there are incredible in-home settings for child care, there are also fabulous child care centers nearly everywhere. These centers, in nearly all instances, are governed by state regulations and are held to strict standards about employee skills, adult-to-child ratios, food, conditions, sleeping arrangements, safety protocols and more. Any child care center owner will tell you! They spend much of their time managing the requirements to which they are held.
It’s easy to find a child care center near you. Contact your local child care resource center (which many states have). They have detailed (often public!) records of inspections on each of these places. The public records also include “findings”, which are the times when the center has violated a rule or been out of compliance. Examples include if they had infants in the center, but they are only licensed for toddlers or preschoolers.
Questions to consider: What are their hours? Who will have access to my child? Am I paying year-round, even on days my child doesn’t attend? Or do I pay only when I use them? What is their philosophy on “dropping in?”
Spend time exploring the center. Watch how the teachers interact with children; how the children respond to the providers. What are children eating? What’s the layout? Does the center align with your values on learning, play, discipline, diet, and more?
Nanny
Many families swear that having a nanny is perfect for their situation. These in-your-home child care providers either live with you, or visit your home according to the arranged schedule. Nannies are male; female; youthful; experienced; local; foreign: you name it–they are nannies! There is truly a wide range of demographic you’ll find when you start searching for a nanny. So consider: Who is the ideal person for our family?
In larger population centers, nanny agencies are great at connecting families with perfect nannies for their circumstances. These same agencies can help place people around the region, even the world! Others have to use word-of-mouth, social media, or ads to find the best fit for their family. Keep in mind that these professionals generally make a living doing this intense work, and expect (and deserve) to be paid accordingly.
Questions to consider: Do I need a full time or part time nanny? Do I want them to complete other duties besides child care, like running errands, transporting to practices or classes, cooking? What is a reasonable living wage for what I’m asking? What types of certification or experience do I require for this person? (CPR, degree, etc).
Choosing What’s Best for your Family
As with any child care option, follow your intuition. If you’re not planning to stay home, then don’t be afraid to ask those tough questions. After all, you’re entrusting these people with your most precious family member. It’s okay to ask if the owner’s teenage children are going to be at the center every day; how they discipline if a baby bites or children fight over a toy; if you can drop-in unannounced.
Ultimately, you are paying for a service and are entitled to know what you’re getting! Only when you feel totally safe with your child’s caregiver can you focus on the other aspects of your life.
Choosing child care is a very difficult decision for many families. Take time to do the research (and do it early! Before baby is born!) so that, when the time comes for that first drop-off, you have some peace of mind.
What questions did you have to solve when considering child care? Please share your insights in the comments for fellow parents!
Best of luck, and take care!
4 Comments
Tyson Coolidge
I like what you said about child care centers being held to strict standards by state regulations. My sister has been telling me about how she needs to find care for her daughter soon so that she can go back to work. I’ll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with this.
Sassy Bluejay
Best of luck to your sister! I’m in the US but many places have governing agencies that oversee child care centers. I hope she’s able to find great information and the *perfect* child care for your family.
Jesse Ford
I like how you mentioned that the stage of life you’re in doesn’t matter because choosing child care is complex all the way around. My wife and I are thinking of looking for an infant child care center because she wants to return back to work full-time at the elementary school she teaches at. I think it’s a good idea for us to consider all of our options when choosing a reputable establishment to watch our young daughter so we can both provide for our family by working full-time.
Faylinn
My husband and I have decided that this would be a good time for me to go back to work, and for this reason, we need to find a daycare for our toddler. He is two years old and very social, and we think it would be good for him to start interacting with people that are not his family and develop cognitive and social skills. My husband particularly loved that you said that you need to consider the hours of the daycare as well as who will have access to our child.