Parenting
Guides
November 18, 2024
For many new parents, the thought of entrusting someone else to care for your baby can feel overwhelming. Will they know how to soothe her like I do? Will she nap if someone other than me puts her down? What if she doesn’t take a bottle? Yet, with parents returning to work or simply needing extra support at home, finding a childcare solution that provides peace of mind is a top priority, even before baby is born.
Fortunately, there are a variety of childcare options available—from experienced nannies to nurturing daycare settings to trained newborn care professionals. As the CEO and Founder of Hello Nanny!, a boutique agency dedicated to helping families find their perfect match, I’m here to guide you through these options. I’ve placed dozens of families with a caretaker that fits their lifestyle, needs and budget and I’m here to share a secret: trustworthy and reliable childcare (or family support) may be the best thing you can gift yourself as a new mom. It will allow you to be more present with your family, at home and at work, and will bring you relief, balance and peace of mind.
When it comes to childcare options, there is no one-size-fits all solution. Which is actually good news because every family’s needs, lifestyle and budget are different. Before starting your child care search, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the different options to see if there’s one that’s a better fit for your family.
A nanny is a professional childcare provider who typically comes to your home to care for your child. Having a nanny offers life-changing benefits, from offering working parents work-life balance to supporting your child’s emotional development to working as a team with you to ensure your child’s needs are met.
A daycare center offers a group childcare setting where children can be grouped by age or development and cared for during the weekday.
Newborn care specialists are specifically trained to help baby and their parents during the 4th trimester, the window of time right after birth. They can provide advice on feeding, sleep and establishing routines. Learn more about the benefits of hiring a newborn care specialist here.
Childcare support from family can look different for many families. For some, it means reliable and daily support from a grandparent, aunt or other relative. Other times, it’s more sporadic, meaning family can help care for your child when your nanny is out sick or on vacation or your daycare center is closed.
Au Pairs generally live with your family and offer house and childcare support. This option can be a great solution if you have the space (au pairs require their own bedroom and private bathroom) and need a more flexible option since their support isn’t usually tied to a strict 9-5 schedule. There are many programs that place au pairs with American families to ensure it’s a great fit for both parties.
Now that we’ve covered the different childcare options, it’s time to consider the best fit for your family. The bottom line: every family situation is different so before you even begin your childcare search, we suggest asking yourself some questions to think through to help you figure out what childcare route you want to pursue.
Some of us know when we need to return to work and others are more flexible. Do you need full time care or part time care? Do you need an option that is flexible? If this is your second child, maybe you even want to keep a month for you before you go back to work while you have full time care. Yes! You do you—just think about the type of coverage you’ll need now AND in the future before embarking on your search.
Some grandmas line up to care for a baby! If that is your mom, mother-in-law or awesome auntie now is the time to talk about it. If so, work out the details in advance so there’s no ambiguity about expectations and responsibilities. The last thing you want is to head back to work only to discover your MIL has booked a cruise to Alaska and won’t be available to help care for your baby.
Think about how you use your space at home. This could factor if you need an in home or out of home option. Some questions to think through:
Make sure you analyze costs because childcare can be expensive. It’s easy to find the going rate of daycares, either by asking or going on their website. For nannies, check out Hello, Nanny!’s interactive map and rate guide to discover the average rate of a nanny in your geographical region.
If you’re a working mom, we suggest creating a detailed return-to-work plan about a month before you return from maternity leave. The best place to start would be reaching out to your supervisor or HR department to confirm your return to work date. From there, it would be worth asking about a flexible ramp up period for when you do return to work, a discussion about pumping and where that would happen (if you plan to pump) and a test run with your childcare solution before your first day back. There is a lot to consider and some of the conversations will be dependent on the type of work you do and whether you work from home or in an office.
At the end of the day, the best childcare option for your family is the one that you identify as the best fit. Keep in mind that you’re seeking a childcare option that makes you feel empowered, comfortable and stress-free. Having quality and trustworthy childcare should make your life easier and should not be a source of anxiety.
Can you do it all? You might be tempted to work from home and take care of your infant because you’re a superhero, right!? A point of caution. This is really really hard and it’s something many moms regret trying. You’ll burn the candle at both ends. Sara, mom to a 10-month-old reveals, “When I was pregnant I thought I could go back to work and care for my daughter. I work from home so I naively assumed I could take calls while she napped and babywear her during the other times of the day. I soon realized how unrealistic this was. I was missing deadlines and making tons of mistakes at work and also felt like I was being a bad mom. It was just 3 weeks in when we decided to hire a part-time nanny to allow me to focus 100% on work when I was on—this was a huge relief and I regret not doing it sooner.”
If you are tempted to do it all, take a moment to think why. Are you trying to save money? Think you’ll miss your baby too much? Going for a root cause can help you make a better plan.
Think through your non-negotiables for childcare. Maybe you have an hour commute and prefer a nanny so you don’t have to drop your child at a daycare and then commute to your job. Or, perhaps if breastfeeding is really important to you and you work from home, find a nanny who can watch your infant for a few hours a day so you know you can reliably take work calls but also be close to your baby to nurse. Knowing your priorities going into your childcare search is incredibly helpful.
If you’re wondering what type of nanny would be the best fit for your family, we created this nanny personality quiz so you can identify your dream nanny.
Depending on where you live, some parents decide to put their names on waitlists for daycare centers even before their baby is born. While not everyone will need to do this, it’s helpful to get a jump-start on researching your options and budgeting even before baby arrives. Below is a general timeline we recommend to families searching for childcare. Of course, your timeline is dependent on when you require childcare—will you need it right after baby is born or 4 months down the line when you return to work?
For many parents, a nanny can be a truly life-changing experience. Kate Georgalas, Director of Partnerships at Hello, Nanny! explains, "Balancing the early years of motherhood with a return to work felt overwhelming at times, but having a part-time nanny truly transformed our daily life.” If you’re wondering about how to find a nanny, read on for insider tips about where to find a nanny, the hiring process and more knowledge I’ve gained from my experience as Founder of Hello, Nanny!
When hiring a nanny there are many things to consider before starting the process. If you work with an agency like ours, we’ll often ask many of the below questions during the intake call (it’s free!) where we get to know your family’s needs and budget so that we can best match you with the right candidates.
Congrats, you decided you want to hire a nanny. Now, what? Finding a qualified and trustworthy nanny is no easy feat. Many parents opt to find a nanny on their own through word-of-mouth referrals or local moms groups. While this does work for some families, it also puts the onus of the entire process—from finding a nanny to interviewing to coordinating trial days, negotiating contracts and more—on the family.
For an effortless process, many families opt to use an agency like ours that takes the stress out of finding the right caretaker off of your shoulders. We simplify and streamline your search and manage and coordinate everything from the initial screening of candidates to your nanny’s first day of work. We guide you every step of the way and provide you with resources (think: a list of questions to ask during the interview process, suggestions on payroll providers, and more) so you don’t have to sweat the details. With Hello, Nanny! you have access to our network of pre-vetted career caretakers and it’s our mission to ensure your match is the right fit. You can learn more about our process here.
From personalized care to support with household tasks, there are countless benefits to hiring a nanny. But beyond childcare and household support, hiring a nanny can play a vital role in supporting new moms’ in their emotional, physical and mental wellbeing. Georgalas says, “[Hiring a nanny] wasn’t just about childcare—having help with everyday tasks like meal prep, laundry, and organizing gave me back precious time. This freed me up to focus on what mattered most: being present with my kids, spending quality time with my spouse, and taking care of myself. Whether it was a quiet nap, a class at Barry's Bootcamp, or just catching up with friends, the gift of time allowed me to be more intentional and present in every aspect of my life. I recently wrote about how a nanny saved my marriage and while I was initially resistant to the idea (yes, I wrongly thought I could do it all), I had to set aside my pride and the idea that having a nanny meant that someone else was raising my son. What I realized was that having a nanny offered the support necessary to be an engaged mom instead of an enraged mom.
A hybrid model that many families opt for is a share-care or nanny-share, which is when a nanny will care for two children (usually around the same age) at one family’s home. Sometimes the families will switch off who hosts and other times it’s just one family hosting. In addition to the search tips above, here are some other considerations for share-cares:
While my team and I have over 20 years of experience in the childcare industry, being a Founder and CEO of Hello, Nanny! is just a part of who I am. I consider myself a mom first and foremost. And, like many working mothers, I inherently understand the challenges of finding reliable and trustworthy care so that I can be productive and effective in the workplace, and more present as a mother when I’m with my kids.
When I welcomed my second child, like most working mothers, I found balancing a demanding career and caring for a newborn incredibly challenging due to the lack of accessible resources and reliable childcare solutions. I realized that the idea of balancing or ‘having it all’ was truly just a mirage. So my husband and I made the decision to hire a nanny. Our search ultimately led us to Megan, who became an invaluable member of our family team. Megan seamlessly fit into her family’s daily routine, allowing me the peace of mind to uncover the balance between career and motherhood—something I once felt was impossible. Thanks to Megan, I became a more present and engaged mother and employee.
Hiring a nanny and leaning into that support opened my eyes to what motherhood (and a career) could be with reliable support. I founded Hello, Nanny! in 2022 with a mission to help other parents find the same peace of mind by connecting them with qualified, trustworthy caregivers. I’m passionate about empowering parents to be their best selves, whether at home or at work and I believe that the right support system can make all the difference.
Call me biased, but my team at Hello, Nanny! is exceptional at what they do. They truly care about recruiting and then finding the perfect match for each unique family. We are all moms who just get it—we understand how the postpartum period, late nights with a sick child, the afternoon hustle to kids activities and more can all affect your emotional and mental wellbeing as a mother. We place nannies, household managers, private educators and newborn care specialists
Unlike self-serve platforms, our agency offers a bespoke experience that begins at the initial intake call and lasts through your nanny’s first day and beyond. We think of everything so you don’t have to, from payroll options to contracts to PTO. We coordinate interviews and trial work days and are there to hold your hand every step of the way. And, unlike traditional agency models, the rate of our services are not based on a percentage of a nanny’s annual salary, meaning we aren’t incentivized to place you with the nanny with the highest salary for our own benefit. We’re truly motivated to make a long-lasting and mutually beneficial match.
For many parents, daycare is a great option (and if you’re still considering whether daycare or a nanny is the best fit for your family, here’s an article that dives deeper into this). Daycares can be more affordable and allow more socialization at an early age. If you want to consider the daycare option—here’s what you need to know.
Here are some things to think about and ask for any daycare.
Tip: Take a moment to make a list and prioritize the items based on what you need for your family.
There are typically two types of daycares: larger institutions (usually they have a parent company like Bright Horizons) and in-home daycares (usually run out of somebody’s home). Whichever you choose, ensure they are a licensed facility. All daycares and their license (and any violations they may have incurred) is accessible by the public and we suggest doing your homework when researching daycares. Winnie, a woman-founded business that provides details, links, and reviews of local day care centers all over the country is a good place to start. Of course, word of mouth recommendations are typically helpful when initially starting your search so don’t be afraid to ask for recs in your local moms Facebook groups or on Nextdoor. Some daycares will even share references.
You don’t need to visit everywhere, but based on a quick cross-reference between your list and what you can uncover about a daycare online, you’ll know where to start. Trust your gut! Do you like the people? Does it feel like a good fit? Daycares will offer tours and times for parents to visit the location and ask questions of the caretakers.
When it comes to caring for infants, understanding the distinctions between a nanny with newborn care experience and a newborn care specialist (NCS) is essential for new parents. Both play important roles in supporting families, but their training, focus, and responsibilities differ significantly. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
Newborn Care Specialist (NCS):
Nanny with Newborn Care Experience:
NCS:
Nanny:
NCS:
Nanny:
NCS:
Nanny:
When to Hire an NCS
When to Hire a Nanny
This is the ultimate flex. To make this work, communication is extremely important. Make sure you and your family member talk through these questions:
An Au Pair is another childcare option right for many families. Some things to consider:
An au pair is usually a young person from another country who comes to live with your family and provides childcare in exchange for room and board, a stipend, and cultural exchange opportunities. They typically have some experience with childcare but may not have the same level of training and expertise as a professional nanny.
Think about your daily rhythm. Would having an au pair who’s part of your home and schedule ease the chaos, especially during early mornings, late nights, or last-minute changes?
An au pair becomes part of your village, sharing space, meals, and moments. It’s not just childcare—it’s opening your home and heart to a new cultural exchange.
Au pairs thrive when they feel like part of the family. Do you have the time and willingness to help them adjust, show them the ropes, and support them as they settle into their role in a country far from home?
If you’re considering hiring an au pair, you will need to work with an au pair agency. Find a community member or friend to learn what agencies are in your area.
There are things you should keep in mind, for example, it’s important to understand the visa requirements. To participate in an au pair program, the caregiver must obtain a J-1 visa. Some specific requirements and regulations must be followed to ensure compliance with the program’s rules.
In the journey of parenthood, we’re always trying to find the best—the best shoes for my beginner walker, the best foods for my picky eater, the best nighttime routine to ensure a restful night. But, what if as parents we forgot about the best and instead, focused on the right option for our family? Because whether you’re exploring nannies, daycare options, or a nanny-share, remember that the “best” solution is actually the “right” one that fits your unique needs, lifestyle, and values.
To discover the right choice for your family, rely on your village, whether that’s Villie or a boutique agency like Hello Nanny! With the right support in place, you’ll find yourself better equipped to show up fully in all areas of your life—at home, at work, and for yourself.
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