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There are several childcare options available to parents.
The challenge is finding the right solution for your family.
Lakeshore Nannies will help you through this process. Below is some
background information to help you make an informed decision.
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Nanny
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Summary: A
Nanny cares for children in the family’s private home.
This is the most comparable situation to having one parent staying
home with the child(ren). Children get individual attention.
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Pros:
Nannies usually work for only one family.*
This means that the children get more individual care similar
to a situation where one parent stays at home with the children.
Hours worked, overtime, and pay are negotiated during the
hiring process. However,
the family is given the ability to pick a solution that best suits
their childcare needs. They
also get more say in their children’s daily activities and
schedule (i.e. sports classes, story time at the library, outdoor
play, naptime, bathing of children, meal preparation, transportation
to and from school/preschool,etc.).
*In
some situations, two families share a nanny rotating houses.
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Potential
Challenges:
Nannies are unsupervised.
Consequently, it is important that a thorough reference and background
check is conducted prior to hiring the candidate.
Additionally, backup childcare should be arranged if the
nanny is unable to come to work for any reason such as illness,
vacation, or bereavement.
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Hours: Nannies hours vary from family to family. Hourly Ranges:
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Costs:
Salary Ranges
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Full-Time
Live Out: $400-$700 per week (Average: $500-$600)
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Full-Time
Live In: $250-$650 per week
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Part-Time
Live Out: $10-$15 per hour
For
more information on Nannies please read
Nanny Basics
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Au
Pair
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Summary:
An
au pair is a foreign exchange student that receives room and board from the host
family in exchange for childcare.
Au pairs are allowed in the US on a student visa for one year.
The au pair program is a federal program with ages ranging from 19-24
years old.
Au pairs receive training in child care.
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Pros:
An au pair is usually less expensive than hiring a nanny.
Because they live with you, there shouldn’t be any issues with
lateness to work because of transportation.
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Potential
Challenges:
Au Pairs are unsupervised. Consequently,
it is important that a thorough background check is conducted prior to
hiring the candidate. Additionally,
backup childcare should be arranged if the au pair is unable to come to
work for any reason such as illness, vacation, or bereavement. If you need child care for infants or younger children, it is
important to make sure that your au pair has experience with this age group.
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Hours:
Average is 30-45 hours per week.
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Costs:
Full-Time: $150-$300 per
week.
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Summary:
Caregiver
supervises children in their home.
Usually, there are fewer children than in a day care center.
However, it is important to find out what the adult to child ratio is. The
fewer children per adult, the better. This setting is more like the
environment that children encounter at home.
Parents are encouraged to verify licensing of caregiver.
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Pros:
These
caregivers usually have first hand experience with children from raising
their own children. Caregiver
to child ratio is usually smaller than in a daycare center.
Family Childcare Homes are more flexible working with families
that need part-time care. For
parents that work at home, this is may be a preferred solution than
having a nanny in your home unless you have an office in a secluded area
of the house.
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Potential
Challenges: Caregivers
are unsupervised. it is important that a thorough background check is
conducted prior to hiring the candidate.
Many of these homes include children of caregiver.
Need to make sure that your children will get same attention.
Homes caring for more
than 3 children must be licensed with the state. Verify that
the home is licensed. Verify
that there are backup caregivers in the event of illness, vacation, or
bereavement.
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Hours:
Hours vary by caregiver. Usually
hold same hours as daycare centers.
However, more flexibility for part-time child care requirements.
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Costs:
This also varies by caregiver. Ranges are $50-$200 per week.
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Childcare Center
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Summary:
A
child care center is a state licensed facility.
Children will constantly be under supervision.
Activities and educational stimulation depend on the quality of the
center.
Children in Childcare Centers have more exposure to other children with
colds and other illnesses increasing their risk of getting sick also.
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Pros:
Good facilities provide an educational and stimulating environment for
children. Toddlers and older
children get an opportunity to socialize with other children and learn to share.
There is usually more than one adult with your child at all times.
This helps to ensure that children are getting appropriate supervision.
Most centers have substitutes they can call if a teacher gets sick.
As a parent, you don’t have to worry about your child care calling in
sick.
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Potential
Challenges:
Many centers have a waiting lists for infants.
If there is a center that you are interested in, it is recommended that
you check their openings for infant care. Because
there are multiple children at child care centers, your child will be at a hirer
risk of getting sick: colds, flu, etc. No
one wants a sick child, but this can be dangerous for infants especially during
RSV and Rotovirus seasons. Most
centers will not allow your child to attend if they have a fever.
If you have a job that makes it difficult to leave early for sick
children, it is important to have a backup plan for day care.
Child care centers set their own schedules.
Many will try to accommodate special requests, but keep in mind that they
are caring for multiple children.
While
there are many very good centers out there, there are also those that try to cut
corners with costs. When
interviewing centers, verify that their child care license is current.
Go in and spend sometime monitoring the classrooms.
Talk to the teachers and other parents who bring their children there.
Arrange for a trial period. Most
will agree to one week. Ask friends
and relatives for referrals on centers they use.
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Hours:
Childcare Centers set their own hours.
Most centers are open from 6:30am-6:00pm.
Some centers have strict late fees that can become costly.
If you commute to the city, this could mean that you need to catch a
train before 5pm in the evening to make it
to the center on time. If you travel
far for work, it is important to have a backup plan for flight delays or
traffic. Not all centers offer
full-time and part-time childcare.
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Costs:
Cost vary by the child’s age. The
legal ratio of children to teachers for infants and toddlers is smaller.
The younger the child, the more expensive the care.
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