If you are one of the millions of Americans looking for affordable, quality childcare, you know how daunting the task can be. Although cost may be the No. 1 concern for many, it’s important to take into consideration your family’s specific needs when choosing among child care options.

Though there may not be one right answer for everyone, here’s what you can expect if you choose to go through a daycare, nanny or au pair service.

Daycare

Daycare continues to be popular for parents seeking an affordable child care option. The good news is that Utah ranked No. 2 for child care center affordability in a survey by Care.com. However, Utah also has one of the highest birthrates in the nation, meaning families are having to pay more to provide care for multiple children.

A recent KSL article showed that, in addition to high costs, many Utah families face long waiting lists because of a shortage of space at child care facilities, particularly for infants and toddlers.

Despite the cost and competition for enrollment, daycare may still be your best option. If you value a routine schedule, social interaction, a highly trained and dependable staff (they will never call in sick), a daycare could be right for you.

Nannies

Movies like “Nanny McPhee” and “Mary Poppins” may make hiring a nanny seem to be a magical solution for child care, but there are a few things families should take into consideration while exploring that option.

First, consider your budget. Though using a nanny gives you the advantage of choosing the person who will care for your children in the comfort of your own home, you will most likely pay much more for that convenience. Care.com estimates the weekly cost of a nanny to be roughly four times that of a day care center.

Although it may be pricier, hiring a nanny does come with its advantages. Verywell Family points out that nannies provide individual attention and consistent care, in addition to flexibility and convenience. You can find a nanny who will work with your schedule and even perform minor household chores and duties, if necessary.

Au pair

If you have dreams of your children learning a foreign language or expanding their cultural horizons, you might want to consider hiring an au pair.

As a young, live-in child care provider from a foreign country, an au pair provides a unique cultural exchange experience while providing families with personalized care.

There are many advantages to choosing an au pair over nannies or daycare, especially when it comes to skills, scheduling, budget and personal preferences.

Daycare facilities and nannies typically charge more with each child, but an au pair will cost the same per hour regardless of the number of children in the home.

While you can’t always choose what you get with daycare personalities or nanny schedules, hiring an au pair puts the power in your hands to find exactly the care you want. You can pick from a specific country and even specify hobbies and interests you’d like them to have that best match your family.

To find a good au pair, it’s important to go through a reputable agency, such as Go Au Pair, which requires its au pairs to complete a 32-hour training course after they have been carefully screened, interviewed and background-checked.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Go Au Pair has been providing quality childcare for more than 30 years with representatives in over 50 countries on six continents.

If you are interested in hiring an au pair — or if you are interested in becoming one yourself — visit Go Au Pair today.

Related topics