This blog is aimed at any parent who is looking for advice about child care and early learning. I do not work in this industry. My name is Keira, and I am just another loving parent who wants the best for her child. When my child was 2 years old, I decided to return to work. This was the beginning of my search for child care. Over the next couple of months, I learnt lots of useful things from other mothers and those who work in the industry. I hope this blog helps you to make the right choice when it comes to child care.
Early Learning and Child Care
Preschool vs Hiring a Nanny: which is the better choice for your child?
Lesa Miller
As your child grows, you'll be faced with the decision between hiring a nanny or sending them off to preschool. Most parents wrestle with these two options. The nanny route keeps your child within the comfort of your home, where you don't have to worry about finding a reputable preschool for your child.
However, the preschool environment also has numerous benefits for children. Your decision should be based on the needs of your child and the experience you'd like them to have. Consider the following factors.
1. The importance of a daily routine
If you would like your child to establish a specific daily routine, then preschool may be a better option. Child care centres teach children to adhere to a set schedule every day. There's time set aside for play, study, meals, naps, etc.
Children eventually learn how to adjust to this schedule, which makes it easier for you to also set a timetable for them while at home.
2. Age and comfort of the home environment
If your child is under 3 years old, a home environment is best for their growth and development (until they reach the appropriate preschool age). Children have been shown to experience less stress and behavioural complications by remaining at home until they're 3 years old.
Therefore, if you don't have enough time to care for your child round the clock, hiring a nanny may be your best option. The nanny will care for your child in the comfort of your home environment.
3. The importance of social development
In today's world, social skills are the key to success. From a young age, your child should learn how to interact with others, work within a team and collaborate to solve problems. They should also learn how to share with others and to approach situations in an empathetic manner. Preschool is one of the best environments for helping your child to develop social skills.
However, you can also mimic a social environment through nanny share programs. Nanny share refers to several families leaving their children under the care of one nanny to split the costs. Depending on the expertise of the nanny, a social environment can be developed among the few children being cared for.
4. Special needs of the child
Children who have special needs may also thrive better under nanny care than in preschool. This is especially true if the preschool environment is not prepared to provide the special care that your child needs.
With a nanny, you can explain exactly how your child needs to be cared for and keep a close eye on how they're developing over time.
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