From the article: Selecting Child Care - The Pros and Cons of the 5 Different Choices
What is the best child care choice and why? Please share your preferred child care option and why it works for your family. Is it a relative, nanny, family daycare, au pair or daycare center? Or another arrangement? Sound Off Here
Au Pair
- As a family we've enjoyed many au pairs and have welcomed the flexibility and culture they bring to our family. Not all au pairs are young and inexperienced. We've always managed to get Spanish girls over 24 years with experience. Our last au pair was a qualified primary school teacher.
- —searchaupairfamily
I loved being a Nanny!
- I was a nanny when my son was one and it was wonderful! They were the same age and we went to their home every morning for our 'playdates' - playing, learning, exploring and going to the zoo, park, library, etc. The parents knew the day would be full of fun, interaction, and love as obviously a mother wouldn't want her son to see her treat another badly (not that I would) and that I would want the best for my own child. The boys had the benefit of each other and learned sharing and other important skills every day. I didn't have to go back to work, and my child didn't have to get lost in the mix at a daycare center. They got one on one attention, help with crafts, their individual needs meet, love and cuddles, their own schedules, and all with the nanny-style care that I provided. I highly recommend a nanny with her own child in tow!!!
- —Guest Ashley
Professional Au Pairs work best
- We had great experience with professional au pairs from Germany, they have all the pros of an Au Pair and also offer high quality childcare because they have a training or work experience caring for children. In return for cultural experience you can have a professional au pair. The key is to find great candidates.
- —Guest Calimom
Accredited child care center
- I don't trust myself to be a particularly good manager of such an important employee, which is why we don't have a nanny or au pair. I have chosen NAEYC-accredited child care centers where there is tons of oversight and checks and balances. Two centers in 7 years (we moved to another state) and counting--I'm happy and so are the kids.
- —Guest catherine
your family
- when my son was younger, my mother and father helped out.
- —Linda.longisland
Provider in Their Home
- I was very lucky to find wonderful women to watch my children in their home. This was a less expensive option to having them come to my house. I always felt that the sitters were happier and more comfortable in their own environment and my children were exposed to the rhythm of other households.
- —Guest deborah
Au Pairs are Affordable - Be Careful
- Au pairs are very affordable and provide that built-in flexibility that today's modern young family needs. Because au pairs are young and often inexperienced, parents need to go slowly and take time to educate themselves. Au pair agencies show their best side, and list all the "PROS" of hosting an au pair - www.aupairclearinghouse.com, the first consumer website on the au pair industry, tells you the PROS and CONS of hosting an au pair. We also list and rate all the 12 legal au pair agenicies in the U.S.; provide a Family Forum to share and discuss au pairs, parenting, etc., and we publish news stories and articles on au pairing. We hope that you visit us before you sign a contract - particularly if you are a first time host parent - avoid costly mistakes by taking the time to read and educate yourself on the world of au pairs! Edina Stone Founder & CEO www.aupairclearinghouse.com
- —Guest edina stone
aupair
- have been a host mom for 4 years and so far I have been really happy.
- —bykermom
what's the best child care choice?
- someone you know and trust REALLY well, like a close friend or a family member.
- —Guest mrs.busby
