Should you make the leap and hire a nanny?

Before you do, it’s helpful to compare the plusses and minuses of hiring a nanny vs. other child care options, such as daycare.

In terms of advantages, hiring a nanny as many:

• Children remain in a familiar location–their home.
• Having a nanny eases the morning rush.  (Children can be stubborn, especially when they are half-awake at 7:30 a.m. in the morning.)
• The child will receive more attention from his or her caregiver.  (Compare this to a daycare, where the ratio of caregivers to children might be 4:1 or worse.)
• Some nannies may perform light household work–such as doing the child’s laundry, preparing snacks, and tidying up around the house.  That can make life easier for parents.

Having a nanny is not, however, without it’s disadvantages and challenges:

• It’s expensive.  Indeed, the most expensive form of childcare.
• Nanny taxes.  Yes, a nanny is considered an employee under federal and state law.  Legal compliance is an added burden and cost.
• Sickness.  If a nanny is sick, parents are left scrambling to find care for the day.
• Your nanny might quit on short notice–even with a good nanny employment agreement in place.  That leaves parents scrambling to find a new caregiver.
• Lack of supervision.  Unlike at a large, licensed daycare, a nanny is largely unsupervised throughout the day.  While cases of nannies committing crimes or abusing child is rare, it occurs.

In sum, before you make the leap and hire a nanny, consider the advantages and disadvantages–it’s well worth it.