I'm researching a variety of child care options for my baby-to-be. It seems that the prices vary in Maryland from $125 for home daycare to $225 for a day care center. I'm not thrilled with any of the prospects in my area. Any suggestions? Has anyone ever used a nanny (not live-in) or au pair? How expensive are they? Is it worth the additional cost?
2006-08-06 06:25:46 · 10 answers · asked by Mom-to-Sophie 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I was a nanny and it is much better than having a child in day care because the child is not stuck in a center all day...epsecially during the summer. I took the little girl and my son to the park, zoo, picnics, and I took her to gymnastics classes. I was getting about $700 a month, which is cheaper than day care. I would be careful hiring a Au Pair, because when you hire someone from a differnt country there can be language barriers, and childrearing is much different.
2006-08-06 06:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that you are in the US, to have an au-pair you need an agency (otherwise it is illegal). Here is a costs break-down:
about 5000 US dollar for the agency: these will cover
*travelling cost of the au-pair to your house (indipendently from where she lives) and her return home ticket
*a red-cross course upon arrival, instruction days at agency residence
*affiliation to the au-pair groups (this is really good to have, as the au-pair otherwise does not get many chances to meet people and as a consequence is always with you)
*a replacement for the au-pair for free if it turns out to be a bad match, or if she leaves before the end of the year
Then there is the cost of room and board (you need the space in your home, and food has a cost), and her "pocket money", about 150 US a week.
For this you get 35 hours a week of work, that can be light housework and mainly child-care related. There are specific rules on free-time, there are many websites describing it.
www.greataupairs.com is a great search tools, and can also provide the agency's service... in other countries you can do the chosing more freely.
However, an au-pair is always live-in, that is why the salary is lower comparing to a baby-sitter or nanny (but there is also some house-work included). Depending on your life-style and kid age, it may be better to look into group childcare... but cost wise it is similar.
2006-08-10 01:24:50 · answer #2 · answered by OneLilithHidesAnother 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Maryland, and had the same issues when I was pregnant with my daughter. I researched everything and found that in home care/babysitter type costs were $100-$175 for care, and up to $250 for daycare also. This is for one kid, I have two so there was no way. I also researched aupairs and nannys, amd alot of times they need to be live in or there are language problems. They can cost about $1200 a month if you want one who has experience and certificates like cpr, etc. It can be worth it if you go to a reputable agency, but alot of times these au pairs are here for oppurtunity for something else, not that they really want to or care to watch your children. I finally ended up staying home with my kids and watching other children to make ends meet. When you decide to put your baby in anyone elses hands, make sure you are comfortable with that person or place, and see if they have a trial period in case it doesnt work out. Good Luck.
2006-08-06 07:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by neabean18 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you decide to use a day care look for one that has a 3 star rating. These facilities are the best as the care givers have more training and the center itself has been accrediated by NAYEYC. As far as a Nanny, be careful but be determined. Look for experience and also see how she responds to your child. You will know imediately if she loves children. To find a good reliable Nanny you will proberely have to look for awhile. I would suggest to go through a service so they can do some of the imediate screening. Also I am sure you know that having a Nanny is a personal service so you will definately pay more. Weigh your options and your budget as it may be just as profitable to stay home with your child.
2006-08-06 10:24:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take my son to daycare, yet listed under are my recommendations. I choose daycare with the aid of fact he has greater interplay with different toddlers his age, and different a while. he's greater "in college" all day, then at residing house. he's coloring and discovering issues... i'm fortunate with the aid of fact they're very loving to him and care approximately him... no longer all daycares are like that. Its in basic terms a activity for a number of them. so some distance as an au pair - I even have a "unhappy" tale for you. My coworker has 3 youthful boys and she or he used an au pair. She lived withthem and watched the toddlers. After approximately 14 months of this - the toddlers have been given so linked to the au pair that their mom exchange into secondary. She exchange into coronary heart broken - provide up her interest, fired the au pair and has spent the final year (which she says exchange into her maximum suitable year) fidgeting together with her young ones. i'm purely asserting whilst they spend THAT lots TIME with somebody, they're going to get linked... surprisingly if its on your place. i think of that a nanny is stable if she comes and is going each and every day... perhaps midsection of the line - yet i could nonetheless choose my toddlers to be out and socializing with others, quite than in the residing house each and every day with purely their siblings. My son has stepped forward lots greater quickly by using being in a daycare putting. stable success
2016-10-01 13:14:32 · answer #5 · answered by lambdin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am currently a nanny, and when I have children of my own, would hire a nanny. For the simple fact you know what happens. You can have hidden videos, etc. here is a website that will help you find a nanny. I personally wouldnt do the ageny thing as it is over rated.
www.greataupairs.com
2006-08-08 12:07:29 · answer #6 · answered by mandy_42003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of my friends have worked as an au pairs. If you are willing to have someone else stay with you, it might be the best option. You could try Almondbury au pair agency.
2006-08-06 06:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by Dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tried in home day care and it didn't work out for me. I ended up just staying at home with my 3 kids instead of worrying about if they were being cared for the way I wanted. I'm very lucky to have had that opportunity. Is there any way you could manage to stay at home?
2006-08-06 10:22:54 · answer #8 · answered by tbo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford to stay home and take care of your baby, I suggest you do it. I would never trust any stranger with my son, there are too many wacko's out there. If you do hire someone in your home, don't be afraid to use nanny cams. That way you really know how your child is being taken care of.
2006-08-06 07:10:21 · answer #9 · answered by saratgoo 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
grandparents!!!!!!! the most loved and always appreciated from both child and Nana and papa makes 40 over more special for them and also makes a child's childhood memories very happy and satisfying , no one will love your child like mom and dad but Nana and papa and you always no they are cared for the way you would want.
2006-08-06 23:30:09 · answer #10 · answered by pandlmote 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋