Finding the right childcare solution for your child is a bit like finding the perfect balance between trust, fulfillment, comfort and budget! In France, the two preferred childcare methods for parents are childminders and early childhood care facilities (nurseries, day nurseries, micro-nurseries, family nurseries, etc.). But of the two, which is the best alternative for you and your child? Nursery or nanny, how to choose? To help you compare with peace of mind, Élhée gives you some answers.
SUMMARY :
- Daycare or home care, a choice that depends on your family needs
- Little cocoon or big adventure? Baby’s future environment
- Having your child looked after: the little treasures of emotional relationships
- Baby well-being: multi-activity nursery or personalized nanny?
- What childcare solution is available for a sick child?
- Nanny or daycare: safety first
Daycare, daycare or home care, a choice that depends on your family needs
The share of children under 3 years old in the care of a childminder or in a daycare center almost doubled between 2002 and 2021, reaching 20% among childminders and 18% in daycare centers and daycare centers . And if you're wondering what's best for your child: it depends. ☺️
You need flexible hours
Because you work shifts, are frequently on the move or regularly work overtime, flexible on-call hours rank high among your criteria.
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Nursery: fixed hours (usually between 8am and 7pm), with strict rules and commitments to make and keep regarding the days your child will attend and the number of hours of presence.
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Nanny: more flexible, she adapts to your working hours (with a minimum of organization in advance) and accepts, if the option is provided for in her contract, occasional overtime. Note that there are even nannies available at night.
The cost of childcare is your adjustment variable
Free Choice of Childcare Supplement (CMG), Young Childcare Benefit (PAJE) or tax credit for employing a home employee , you don't know what you're looking for?
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Daycare: childcare fees are often calculated based on family income , with financial assistance available. Check with the management of the establishment, the family allowance fund or your town hall.
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Nanny: a variable cost depending on the place of residence and the experience of the nanny. However, you have the possibility of hiring an approved childminder, shared between several families.
You swear by simplicity
If you have not planned to take the status of private employer , using the services of a childminder at home or not can turn out to be a more time-consuming process than registering in a nursery.
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Daycare: To register your child in a daycare, simply fill out a form and submit it . The hardest part is finding a free place in a daycare , especially in the city.
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Nanny: first check that the person has an approval issued by the Early Childhood service of your department. Then establish an employment contract specifying the missions, hours, remuneration, holidays, etc., then, if you receive financial aid paid by the CAF (such as the CMG), declare the employment of your childminder on the Pajemploi website.
Little cocoon or big adventure? Baby’s future environment
Let's not lie to ourselves, the beginnings, whether they take place in a nursery or with a childminder, are sometimes difficult to live through . Even if the worry does not last, tears are generally the order of the day during the first separations . So, it is best to find the gentlest and most pleasant environment for your child.
Socialization and its benefits
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Daycare: the community offers many interactions with children often from different backgrounds, learning the rules of group living and accelerated social development. For example, daycare is often chosen by parents of only children for the varied contacts it offers before starting school.
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Nanny: a more intimate and personalized relationship , better knowledge of the child and their needs, but less exchange and autonomy, less diversity.
A tailor-made welcome for baby
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Crèche: all the benefits of supervision provided by professionals, childcare assistants and holders of the CAP Petite Enfance, as well as the associated knowledge, but care , time and attention shared between all the children present.
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Nanny: a one-to-one exchange or almost, a rhythm adapted for naps, outings and meals, and tailor-made activities for detailed monitoring of your child's development and more detailed transmissions at the end of each day.
Having your child looked after: the little treasures of emotional relationships
Sometimes, your child will spend more time with the person who is looking after him than with you . Naturally, an attachment will be created. The best reason, if one were needed, to choose your childcare carefully.
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Nursery: the team present can be large and change regularly. A flow of staff can sometimes be destabilizing . However, aware of this potential problem, early childhood graduates are careful to observe the same relationships with each child and not to be too emotional.
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Nanny: home care, on the other hand, establishes a special relationship between your child and the person who looks after him, which can be a guarantee of great emotional stability, but also of a deep attachment that is difficult to break.
Baby well-being: multi-activity nursery or personalized nanny?
For your baby, you want the best, including in terms of learning, development and activities. So, between the dynamism of the community and the gentleness of an individual welcome , where will your preference lie?
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Crèche: collective structures offer varied activities , regularly renewed and adapted to the age of the children , all in a stimulating environment enhanced by lots of knowledge and educational games.
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Nanny: activities adapted to the child's tastes and abilities and more freedom for outings, but potentially less emulation and diversity.
What childcare solution is available for a sick child?
If you have a mild cold, no worries, but if chickenpox rears its ugly head and causes spots, then everything becomes more complicated when it comes to entrusting your child.
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Daycare: In case of fever or a smeared baby, most daycare centers will call you and encourage you to pick up your child before going to the doctor the same day. On the other hand, in the event of a childhood or contagious illness, he or she will not be accepted into the community . In addition, the establishment cannot administer any medication without a prescription.
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Nanny: Similarly, you must provide her with a medical prescription so that she can administer medication to your child, but generally, the nanny is more flexible in accepting a sick child into care . Depending on his condition and the other children being looked after, she will be able to adapt her days.
Nanny or daycare: safety first
This is perhaps the main fear of young parents who entrust their child to someone, that something will happen to them or that they will not be well during their absence. Also, if the level of security is more regulated in daycare, there are ways to check the seriousness of a childminder.
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Nursery: the staff is made up of certified and qualified professionals , in addition the operation of each establishment is regulated by the State and punctually monitored , which limits the risks of incident or mistreatment.
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Nanny: There are fewer vetting options, but nannies are generally highly qualified . However, it is still important to check the references and qualifications of the person you choose. Word of mouth is still a great way to get recommendations.
Bonus: 3 practical tips to get off to a good start!
To find the ideal daycare or nanny , start by visiting several daycare centers and meeting different professionals near your home or close to your workplace.
During these visits, observe the environment, its cleanliness, its equipment and the quality of interactions between the children and their supervisors. The feeling, yours and that of your little one, is also essential.
For nannies, take the time to discuss their experiences, ask for recommendations, and take an interest in their teaching methods during interviews. If they exist, on Google or Facebook for example, always check online reviews to assess your compatibility.
To avoid unnecessary stress peaks and not forget anything, prepare your baby's bag in advance : diapers, wipes, spare clothes, blanket and comforter must find their place there every day, in addition to his favorite bottle accompanied by your expressed milk or the right dose of infant formula. If he is a little older, think about the Élhée leak-proof bottle !
And if meals are not provided by the structure or the nanny, add them to a dedicated box. Finally, make sure you don't forget their medication and prescription if needed.
It is generally recommended to start care fairly early before returning to work , around 2 to 6 months. To ease the transition, introduce this big change gradually, starting with short visits and then increasing the duration.
Also, even if baby is crying, make sure to stay calm and reassuring at the time of separation. Take all the time you need and explain to him that you will come back, that you love him and that everything will be okay. 🩷
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