First Time Mom, I Need Advise from Experienced Mothers About Child Care.

M.,
When I was a first time mom of an infant (with another on the way, I might add), I was an elementary school teacher. I actually was faced with the exact choices that you describe. Keeping your child's health in top priority, I suggest the nanny situation. My first baby was prone to ear infections, and we didn't find out until she was exposed to colds and such in a daycare setting. While their social interactions may be a bit limited, I feel that you would be better off keeping the baby as "at home" as possible, at least for the first year or two.

Around the time that my first was 9 months old, and my second was about to be born (Argghh, heehee), I pulled her out of daycare to stay home full time. It was a struggle at times, but my second one was much healthier in the "contagious" category for it! I realize that staying at home is not always an option. That is why I suggest the nanny/sitter.

I hope I have helped.
S.

I would suggest an in-home daycare that you trust the provider. Your baby will get more attention than in a daycare center along with social interaction with the other children in the home. Just be sure that the in-home daycare is registered through the state. They have great regulations that cause providers not to look at it as just babysitting, but teaching the children. Also, you may want to look for a Home of Merit or a Home of Recognition. These homes are inspected several times throughout the year. They have to abide by even tougher regulations than a normal in-home daycare. You can find these on the Bright from the Start website. I hope this helps.

Good morning M.,
My name is A. and I am a single mother of two ages one yrs old and three yrs old. Both of my children have been in a daycare enviroment basically since they were six weeks old (due to my circumstances I had NO choice)But I will admit I really do like the daycare enviroment. Although some daycares try to do what they want with your child and you have to really get on them, in my case I changed their daycare. I've also tried an in home daycare and I DID NOT LIKE IT! The lady had my son (the oldest one) running around doing what ever he wanted. When I would get there he would have on just his under clothes, it was a terrible 1 WEEK. After that he went back into a daycare :-)....Now to be honest I nevered tried a nanny, but I would love to have one, if my funds were right. Now although my expereineces with daycare were good/ bad and in home was bad, it might be different for you. With daycare your child 9 out of 10 will get sick the first week he/she is their and also he have the chance to interact with alot of other children, with a nanny you are already familiar with that person and so is your child. I also recommend this website to find a daycare or in home daycare ofor your child...It's www.decal.state.ga.us, from there click on child care services at the top of the page then child care main, then on the right of the page click on search child care center...then the final step is to type in your county and search options. I hope the advice that I have provided will help out alot. Good luck in search and have a great day!

Hi M.,
I would eliminate the in-home daycare for now (unless the owner has several helpers). Taking care of 1 baby is a lot but 5 other children could mean yours does not get the attention he/she needs (even if the owner has the best intentions). Later when the baby is older and can play with other children the in-home situation may be ideal.

If you can afford the nanny in your neighborhood- and you like and trust her, I would recommend that at least until the baby is 1. Babies need a lot in there first year!
As a second choice I would choose a more formal daycare setting where the teacher/child ratios are low.

Finally, my biggest concern about putting my child in an in-home day care was that if there was an emergency with one child- what would happen to the rest? (assuming that there is only one care-giver)

Hope my thoughts help....