Daycare Versus Babysitter Service

I have stayed home with my son Benjamin until he turned 2 and now that I have decided to re-enter the working force, my husband and I have come upon quite the dilemma. Since we don't have any relatives who live nearby that can take care of Ben, I have been contemplating about whether I should send him to a daycare or use a babysitter service instead. There are several pros and cons to each and we should definitely explore them before we make any decision.

The first option, the daycare, is something that many of my friends use. They simply drop them off at a daycare near their workplace and when the work day is over, they pick them back up. Daycares generally operate a bit like a classroom. They have one babysitter to every fifteen or so children. Sometimes, it's more or less--depending on the daycare. They have lunch, nap time, and play time. There are also other parts of the daily routine that make the children feel comfortable. Although safety seems to be strictly enforced, my only concern is with hygiene. Oftentimes, with that many children, cleanliness can be difficult. To maintain an environment that is completely germ-free is a must but chances are my Benjamin would probably be exposed to more illnesses than I would think.

The second option is using nanny services. This choice seems to be more reasonable for children who have never been in the daycare setting before. Babysitters from a babysitter service are just as well-trained, if not better, than a daycare caregiver. They are trained to deal with your child in a more intimate setting rather than a loud room of ten other children. Hiring someone from a babysitter service also allows you to pick precisely the kind of person you want to watch your child. Ultimately, in both cases, you want people who not only know the general rules for childcare but also your specific rules.