Many first-time parents wonder whether they should hire a nanny or take their young children to a day care centre. Each alternative has its good and bad sides. This article discusses some of the reasons why a day care centre may be a better choice for you and your child.

Adequate Regulation

Different jurisdictions have laws that govern how day care centres should be operated. For example, caregivers at day care centres must undergo training to enable them to be certified for the work they do. The authorities also inspect the facilities to make sure that they are suitable and don't pose preventable hazards to the children there. 

This magnitude of regulation isn't available when you opt to hire a nanny to take care of your child. You will therefore have to take on the role of supervising the nanny to make sure that your child is being looked after well. This can eat into the time that you would have allocated to other activities. You also may not be equipped to investigate a nanny you're thinking of hiring.

Stability and Reliability

You can always count on a day care centre to take care of your little one regardless of the schedules of the different caregivers who work there. For example, a day care centre can never ask you to stay with your child just because a teacher is ill. 

However, people who opt for nannies often have to adjust their schedules in case the nanny is unable to be around due to a variety of factors, such as illness or vacations.

Attention to Developmental Needs

Day care centres also have the added advantage of addressing the varying developmental needs of your child. The training of the caregivers there equips them with the skills needed to vary the activities in which your child is engaged in order to develop them appropriately. For example, the teachers may design activities that will help the child to develop his or her psychomotor skills in an enjoyable way. It may be hard to find a nanny who can provide this degree of developmental support.

Socialisation Opportunities

Day care centres give your child an opportunity to interact with his or her peers. This helps them to learn different skills, such as sharing. Such an opportunity may not be possible if you hire a nanny to stay at home with your child.

The benefits above can only be enjoyed if ample effort is invested into finding the best day care centre available. Consult child care professionals for help if you aren't sure about what to look for when selecting a day care centre for your child.

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