is it better to leave my baby at the day care or with ababy sitter?

Kristen - posted on 02/16/2010

Daycare for sure. I think they need that interaction with other children. And you can depend on a daycare to be there...if your sitter is sick, you are stuck! I have had both and I think that daycare was the best option for my daughter.

Bea - posted on 02/15/2010

Asma, I think there a pros and cons to both options....first the nanny will give your baby more attention during 1:1 time, when the daycare provider has multiple children at the same time to watch (so the diaper will not be changed on time, food given, or hug if needed). The pros of your little one being in the daycare is that she will have more chance to interact with other kids, but also that might mean catching cold from others etc. I am LCC for a group of Au Pairs (International Students) that live with the Host Families and take care of their children at their home...this is perfect solution since they have lots of energy to play and interact with your little one, take her for playdates with other kids in the area(or just to the park) and also when your baby gets sick you dont have to take time off from work since the Au Pair will be able to take care of your little one in the comfort of your home :) let me know if you want to know more info! Good luck!Bea

Michelle - posted on 02/15/2010

I work in the Child Care industry and if The child care available is of outstanding value for money then I might consisder it, but on the other hand having a trusted baby sitter that is offering one on one care and a more normal / natural environment you cant ask for more.

In a well orgainised high quality childcare center your child is safe, encouraged, and yes has access to great social learning skills, but sadly not all child care centers are of high quaility, so think carefully and choose wisely.

I am also a mother of 4 children and find in hard to put my own children into care when I am working there is just something about supplying for your children in a personal way.

Cece - posted on 02/14/2010

Well the bottom line is whether you choose a sitter or daycare, you really have to do your research. For a little while I had my daughter in a home daycare that I loved. I adored her teacher, she was wonderful. She didn't stay long cause she couldn't handle it. I really like her teacher so i pulled my child out cause it was too much for the teacher. I was very lucky that my daughter was watch by family I can trust. She really never had to do daycare. She was there for like a month. Even then, I did the research and it's hard to find a good daycare as well as a good sitter. They both have pros and cons, so just do your research. I'm not sure where your from but here in Wa, they have a hotline you can call and check on all these daycares. Maybe you could start there.

Darla - posted on 02/14/2010

I've gone both ways and found daycare to be my choice. Daycare offers stability, interaction, and it's dependable. I would have loved to have a great sitter but looking back I definitely am glad the way things worked out. My daughter was able to start kindergarten early because of her advancement, she has not gotten sick in the past 3 years (knock on wood) and the friends she made at 1 years old are still her friends today. Wish you the best!

Jessica - posted on 02/14/2010

Its better for her to be at the day care. She will learn to interact with others and how to follow rules. Also i read a study that said that children who were in some kind of day care or leaning center before the age of 3, were more likely to be college grads. My daughter started going to day care at 8 months. She now shares, cleans up after herself at meal times and interacts so well with other kids, no matter their age. Its been a year since she started and it was the best decision i ever made. She was so bored at home and they keep her busy with fun activities and learning.

Tonja - posted on 02/13/2010

Asma,

If your baby is happy and feels secure with your baby sitter, I would leave her with the babysitter. It offers a stable and secure environment. If you would really like to get her exposed to other children, perhaps consider taking your little one to a day care one day a week. You might find it builds her social skills and gives your baby sitter some time to run errands or take care of her personal needs as well.

Lisa - posted on 02/13/2010

A daycare center! because for a child under 2 years a sitter can provide more personal attention...but once a child is 2 they need to start learning new things like social skills, learning skills, and just a more structed enviornment, not just sitting in someones house. Most kids do better when they enter kindergarten if they have been exposed to a daycare center because everything is structed like a school setting. For me the biggest thing is that I had bad experiences with babysitters because even though the babysitter might be great....its still her home and you have no control of who's coming in and out of her house....there have been so many cases where a child was sexually abused in childcare in peoples house by someone in that home that had nothing to do with the daycare itself. At least at a daycare center there is an extra set of eyes...its kinda hard to do something to a child with everyone watching....but in someone's home no extra eyes are there....I never even take my baby to a private babysitter because she can't talk, how is she gonna tell me someone did something to her. Good luck, you'll do fine, just do your research on what ever one you choose.

Jacqueline - posted on 02/13/2010

i would like to share my experienced, actually, i have a baby sitter for my baby., and i guess it is more advisable to leave them at home bcoz it is more safe and if you're worried about your baby being exposed, me as a working mommy i set up play dates for my baby, i see to it that after work, i spend time with him, every weekend we go out (bonding), malling, eating and others. and most of all the thing that we usually practice in our home, every minutes, every hour, every day, me, my husband and our son we never missed saying the word: "i love you" . i guess the baby needs more attention of us than be with other kids... it should be start at home... :-)

Rosanne - posted on 02/13/2010

Hi, I had no choice but find alternative care for my wee ones as they grew up and I needed to return to the work force. Unfortunately there still remains a large group of people who scoff at any working mum.....often calling them lazy, unattached etc. I know this is untrue. I loved my children dearly. The people that have opinions such as the ones I have just described are those who could afford to be stay at home mums..I am pro daycare, especially when they are situated close to your place of work. They then get the best of both worlds. An excellent start with their education, acquire social skills and seeing you when you visit. A stress free mother equals a stress free child.

Suzanne - posted on 02/12/2010

My girls are very different in personality. My oldest (3) is very very social and my youngest (20 months) is very clingy. What I do, is break up the week. They have a nanny two days a week for both girls. My oldest goes to preschool the other three days a week. My youngest goes to a separate day care two days a week. My youngest also gets one day a week with one on one time with the nanny, while her sister is at school. If your child is versatile and outgoing, she will enjoy the changes. It might be a bit much for her and you, to put her in day care 5 days a week, but you can build it up. Once she is old enough to go to daycare and it costs less, you can hire someone to come to the home and clean and cook. Whatever it is you decide, it will be the best for your family!! Good luck!!!

Natascha - posted on 02/12/2010

you sound like you have a really good set up and trust your babysitter. I really think you could have the best of both worlds here. Why don't you keep your babysitter/ house cleaner on for 3 days to help with all of that side. Then on the other two days put your little one into daycare for interaction with other kids. Believe me, this will help when starting school. Your child will not only exceed once starting daycare, talking more, doing more and will have more brain stimulation. If your babysitter is also cleaning your house, she is not having alot of one on one time with your child and also will only have a limited amount to offer your childs brain stimulation.

Hope this helps

Chibesa - posted on 02/12/2010

At 2 I don't think it's crucial yet for her to have a lot of interaction with other kids (besides, you could always facilitate that yourself over the weekend). I think she will be better off at home with the babysitter. In daycare she's likely to keep getting ill; and it's quite stressful for a parent to have to get a 2-year-old up early every morning to go to daycare (it's tiring for the child too). Perhaps keep her at home for another year.

Shannon - posted on 02/12/2010

at two, they really need to be around other children there own age. and at daycare,there not just being babysat,they are taught soscial skills and coping skills and is a huge help during potty training stages.I used to work a two yr.old class at a daycare learning center in Tomball ,Tx.You will notice a huge difference in there abilities after being in daycare.

Jessica - posted on 02/11/2010

i would stay with the sitter and just make social play dates for your child. i have a private sitter that i drop my son off to, but she is so close to him that he calls her mum-mum, like she's his grandmother. she has only two other kids and he gets along fine when there is a group. besides it sounds like she gives you a lot of peace of mind as well. which is just as important. :)

Lydia - posted on 02/11/2010

If you feel confident that your baby is getting the care your feel is deserved, I don't think there is a reason to switch what is working for you. Consider finding baby play groups your sitter could attend as well as story time at the library, etc. There is no reason why you can't keep your sitter and get your baby socialized! Good luck!

Anye - posted on 02/11/2010

Personnaly, i think daycare is better than babysitter, because kids can start earlier to survive with a group kids, who he/she didn't know before.
Also daycare is more general take care of a group, not concentrate only one kid, in this way, your baby can learn how to deal with other kids when there's something hapened .

Linda - posted on 02/11/2010

Babysitter has always been my choice but only if there is a couple of other children there for them to interact with. But, make sure that you have a backup plan should the provider ever gets sick. Lucky for my I always have had my parents as backup.

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

Don't change your method of day care if you are happy with it and it works. If you're worried about your baby being exposed to social situations, a simple solution would be to set up play dates. Take her to a park/playground on week-ends so that she can interact with other children there. Make it a point to seek out social situations. Are you planning on sending your child to Preschool? If you are, that should prepare them enough for school when they get older.

Helen - posted on 02/11/2010

as a nursery nurse i do recommend day care, not only willl the child learn social skills but it aslo prepares them for school. they get the chance to learn the vital skills that they need to start a great life. hope this helps. xxx

Melody - posted on 02/11/2010

daycare or babysitter both have their positives and negatives so weigh them and decide which outweighs the other.in my opinion however,at his age he`ll gain more experience at a daycare as compared to being with a babysitter.

ASMA - posted on 02/10/2010

Thank u for your encouraging comment And yes we are super women doing all work and looking after our kids

Chikodi - posted on 02/10/2010

Hi Asma, at two months, a baby needs very close attention. Like you said that your baby sitter has been around for two years now. It is most appropriate to let her keep the baby than take her to where one person will have to attend to four to five kids at the same time. Give her some time before you put her in school.

Best of luck.

Alice - posted on 02/10/2010

A playday would be good maybe one or two days a week. Great to have a trusted baby sitter at home.

Nora - posted on 02/10/2010

I have a daycare center at work and both my kids are there. My son is almost 2 and has been going there since he was 6 weeks. He thrives in daycare. When my daughter was born in November, we knew she would go there as well. I love being able to see my kids on my breaks. It is hard getting everything they need, but I just pack the night before to save on my stress level. Most daycares will let you leave stuff there so the only things I transport in for my 2 year old is his blanket on Mondays and diapers when they run out. My biggest fear why I didn't use someone in home was if they got sick or their kids got sick it would be harder to have a backup (I even turned down my best friend who offered to watch my kids because her kids where always sick). The drive is fun for me (mines 45 minutes) because my son will have a full conversation which he loves doing. I usually have no idea what he is talking about, but it is funny to hear him go on :)

Tanisha - posted on 02/10/2010

Hello I would say if you have someone at home to take care of here then I would stay with the personal touch. I would suggest a half day like from when you go to work till lunch till like 8:30 to 12:30 and then let baby sitter of nanny take her home rest of the day. Daycare is good for the social part and they due start to learn things for school color's shapes, numbers, even as early as two. If you due want her to stay at home at least hire someone who use to due daycare or be a school teacher someone that is going to play with your child and take her place to expand that little mind.

Melissa - posted on 02/10/2010

If you have a good baby sitter, I would stick with them until the baby is a bit older. Then I would send her to a preschool a couple times a week. That would allow the baby to socialize as well as learn. My daughter stayed home with her grandparents until she was 3, and then until she went to kindergarten, she went to a babysitter and for 2 days a week she went to preschool. It was great for her to transition slowly. She does very well in first grade now. =-) Good Luck!

Gretchen - posted on 02/10/2010

We had a similar situation. We chose to have a babysitter come to the house mainly because our son was 6 months old when both my husband's leave and my leave ran out, and our work schedules didn't fit with local day care center hours. We found a wonderful sitter that we LOVED and she stayed with us until I changed my hours to part time. My son is a little nervous around other kids, (he's only 10 months old) so we take him to baby group at our local library every week. If you have a sitter that you love, and your child is getting socialization I think that you've got the best of both worlds! I know it was much easier for my son to stay in his own house than to go somewhere where he isn't as comfortable. At the end of the day though, take a deep breath and relax. You're a mommy! Mommy's are wonderwomen and have no fear, you'll make the right decision for your family :)

Narda - posted on 02/10/2010

I put my son in a daycare near me around that age because I thought it was important for him to have that daily interaction with the other kids. I thought it was important for him to learn how to socialize with others his own age. He did very well and has even managed to stay close friends with one of the kids in his class and they are now 11 years old.

Michelle - posted on 02/10/2010

Just to clairify,

so you are actually looking for a nanny not a babysitter! I am an qualified E.C.E and there is a differnce. a babysitter is someone who just watched your child and u pay them less. A nanny is someone who takes care of your house and your children. A daycare provides care during the day for your child in their home or a centre.

Shelley - posted on 02/10/2010

I understand being concerned about the drive especially over an hour. My husband & I have always had to use daycare but my daughter's first 3 yrs were w/an in-home provider same as you. We then moved her to an actual daycare/preschool and she has just grown so much so fast being around the many other children. I feel like it is a great and necessary experience for all children. Maybe just try it 2-3 days/wk. I also see the advantage in someone cleaning your house and cooking, but, you need to find a balance of what's best for you and what's best for your child. Convenience is not always the best thing.

ASMA - posted on 02/10/2010

thanks Cadice but apparently Im alazy Mummy and got to be so dependant on my house keeper and babysitter its obviously easier for me just to get dressed in the mornings and off to work rather than backing all what my baby needs to take to daycare and carry her going down the stairs Im on the fifth floor by the way .I cannot concentrate as well when Im driving with my kids in the car specially that i drive for more than an hour each way

Candice - posted on 02/09/2010

I'm really starting to love this site. when I read your question about day cares or babysitters it just opened my eyes to other people real questions. The only reason why I say that is because both my husband and I work full time and both our families live hundreds of miles away so we've always had our son in day care. it was just something that we did not think about it...we figured, that is what needs to be done. My son is now 4 years old and last year the public schools district accepted him in one year early because he was around older kids who can teach him at his level. So, I'm glad we had him in day cares. However, I feel that there is never a right or wrong way to raise your child. I've also seen some kids who were home schooled their entire school age years and they are also excellent kids who exceed in just about everything they do. Bottom line...it really steems from home. but your little girl does need some kind of interaction with other kids. You might want to look into part time child care. Start getting her use to the idea. and if she doesn't take it well then at lease you know you tried. plus that give your baby sitter a few days off during the week. :) Good Luck and let us know what you decide.



xoxo

Candice

Heather - posted on 02/09/2010

I'm a fan of daycare, my daughter thrives in a public setting, and if you have a daycare center at your work, they might let you have lunch with her, my sister does that with her youngest.

But I also know that each child has its own niche. What do you think your daughter will enjoy most, and where will she develope the best?

Tania - posted on 02/09/2010

I'm a daycare fan. I tried a nanny to start with for my first, and had a bad experience. Daycare is far more transparent than a nanny, and if you have concerns, it is easier to talk about them (either through management or with other parents). The social networking and skills that are developed are essential. You also want your care-giver to focus on looking after the needs of your child, and not on the housework. Good luck with your decision....it will be a difficult decision either way

ASMA - posted on 02/08/2010

thank uJamie wont hesitate to write to you in my stressful times

ASMA - posted on 02/08/2010

thnk u for your lovely input

Michelle - posted on 02/08/2010

My personal opinion on this issue that nothing is more appropriate for a child at this age than social interaction with other children. No matter where you go...i.e. grocery store, doctors office, pretty much anywhere, there will always be germs. Sheltering your child to a babysitter is keeping them away from learning how to cope and deal with other children in a social environment. Not only that, but the structured environment the daycare provides is great for disciplinary measures and teaches a child how to be respectful of theirselves and others. Eventually your daughter will be in kindergarten and if she is not exposed to a social environment with other children this situation could be quite overwhelming and stressful, which could lead to anxiety. This is just a suggestion, but all things in consideration, a mother always wants whats in the best interest of their child. I hope this helps.

Alexandria - posted on 02/08/2010

I personally think daycare, althou the sitter sounds wonderful and i would love someone to clean my house and keep all that stuff up, but as far as your child i think daycare is much better for them. They get to be with other kids and get to learn things that they might not learn just being at home with the same person all the time. My son has learnt so much through daycare i think its just wonderful. But that is just my opinion.

Jamie - posted on 02/08/2010

If you find a reliable sitter that is wonderful. The germs are usually less at a private sitter than in day care. Just remember that that person has family and Dr appts. and she is only one person. So have a backup plan if you go that route. If you are thinking about daycare>>> There are more people and more children so there are more germs. But your child will always have someone there to watch her.

There are also charges for picking them up later than the time of the school.With at private sitter you can sometimes run and errand after work or let them know that you will be late without and unreasonable charges. IF you have any further questions I will be glad to help answer them for you from my experience.