Childcare options

Childcare options

Childcare options: Pros, cons, and costs Last updated: July 2011 Video My Journey: Childcare costs Parents reveal how much they spend on childcare Childcare that works for us See all videos Finding quality childcare can be a major parenting challenge. If you're returning to work, start thinking about childcare soon after your baby's born or as early as your second trimester if you live in a big city or anywhere that good childcare is scarce or in high demand. This is like a live-in nanny, but there are some key differences. For one, they tend to cost less (average annual cost is around $18,000 with program fees and stipend). There is no additional cost for additional children, so it's a very affordable option for people with more than one child. The au pair is considered "on par" with the family- that is, they are to be treated as a family member and not an employee. They come from overseas, and the whole au pair program is regulated by the State Department (so there are some standards that both au pairs and host families adhere to). There is a cross-cultural component too, generally au pairs come here to work so they can learn about our culture and improve their english- not to make a lot of money. They tend to be less experienced than professional nannies, but that isn't always the case. We have an au pair from France taking care of our 1 and 3 year old, and it has been a wonderful experience for us!
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