| Type of care |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Nanny |
- Individual attention for your child, which is especially important for children under one.
- Consistent care from one person.
- Generally a professional child carer, with relevant qualifications.
- Hours are flexible, depending on your contract agreement.
- Child stays in own home and familiar environment and routines do not have to change.
- No need to travel and less exposure to illness.
- You can have more say in child care as nanny is your direct employee.
- Some nannies do light housework.
|
- Can be expensive compared with other child care, especially if you have only one child.
- Child may miss out on daily social interactions if there are no regular play dates and outings.
- You will need to arrange back-up care if the nanny is ill, takes holidays or leaves.
- If you employ a nanny directly, rather than use an agency, you will be responsible for wages, tax and so on.
- You may feel you lose some privacy and space with a live-in nanny sharing your home.
|
| Nanny sharing |
- You have the benefits of a nanny but with lower costs.
- You only pay for the time you need the nanny.
- If the nanny is caring for children from two families simultaneously, they may form strong friendships.
- Administration and paperwork can be shared with the other family.
|
- It can take time and effort to find a compatible family to share a nanny.
- You will need to co-ordinate holidays and any changes in schedule with the other family.
- Disagreements between the nanny and one family may affect the other family.
|
| Au pair |
- Exposes your family to another culture and language.
- A cheaper option than a full-time nanny.
- Individual attention for your child.
- Child stays in own home and familiar environment and routines do not have to change.
- No need to travel and less exposure to illness.
- Au pair is living with the family, so can be flexible to fit in routines and special needs (like holidays).
|
- Consistency of care can be an issue given length of Visas.
- Au pairs tend to be young and living away from home, so will need some personal guidance and advice.
- May not be interested in child care as a career option, and may have little experience.
- You may feel you lose some privacy and space with another person sharing your home.
- If you employ an au pair directly, rather than use an agency, you will be responsible for wages, tax and so on.
|
| Child care centre |
- For a single child, it is usually cheaper than hiring a nanny.
- Care is always available during opening hours and the centre will manage replacement staff if any carer is ill or unavailable.
- Provides a structured program with routine and activities.
- Centres are licensed facilities and all staff will have relevant experience and qualifications.
- Child meets a range of other children and educators.
|
- Less individual attention than nanny or au pair.
- Child is exposed to more people and more illnesses.
- Child may find it hard to settle in to unfamiliar environment.
- Many centres have long waiting lists and fees can be expensive.
- May not be flexible enough to suit your child's individual temperament and needs.
- You will have to arrange travel to and from the centre.
|
| Home based care |
- A more affordable child care option.
- A safe, home environment with consistent care.
- Educators are qualified and may have had children of their own.
- Interaction with a small group of children of varying ages.
- Can be arranged to fit in to your schedule.
|
- You will need to arrange back-up care if the educator is ill or unavailable.
- There may not be the same range of toys, equipment and activities as at a child care centre.
- You will have to arrange travel to and from the educator’s home.
- Food and nappies may not be included.
|
| Te Kohanga Reo |
- Whanau led Maori language immersion.
- Whanau are involved in decision making and program delivery.
|
|
| Kindergarten |
- A great option for older children before starting big school.
- Work closely with parent groups and may offer bi-lingual programs.
- Licensed and run by community groups and children are taught by teachers.
- A cost effective option.
|
- Hours may be more restricted than child care centres and home based care.
- More parental time and commitment required.
- May not be available during school holidays.
|
| Playcentres |
- ‘Village’ feel. Run by parents and member families so care is personalised and families form lasting friendships.
- Learning opportunities for adults as well as children.
- Mixed ages so children can socialise with a range of age groups.
- Programs can be tailored to suit needs of families and communities.
- Specialised sessions for infants.
- Cost-effective and child care subsidies may apply.
|
- Care-giver involvement needed so may be tricky for working parents to attend.
- Restricted session times.
- Parent-led not teacher-led.
- Waiting lists at some playcentres.
|
| Playgroups |
- Flexible. Parent and whānau-led so programs can be changed to suit interests of children.
- May offer language immersion opportunities.
- Cost-effective and a Childcare Subsidy may apply.
- Fast to set up if needed.
|
- Limited to four hours per day.
- Often located in community halls so equipment may be limited.
- May be difficult for working parents to attend.
- Certificated not licensed, so less regulatory requirements.
|
| Te Kura / Correspondance School |
- Early learning programs for 3-5 year old children who aren't able to access mainstream programs.
- Teacher led.
- Regional support available to assist parents.
|
- Children miss out on social opportunities available in group based care.
- Parents required to supervise their child’s learning.
|
| Babysitter |
- Flexible child care, especially for short periods over evenings and weekends.
- Child stays in home environment.
- Gives parents a chance to take a break without a long-term child care commitment.
|
- Child care experience varies, and babysitters are not always qualified.
- May not be available for regular long-term care or longer hours.
|
