Sometimes a family member will offer to provide care, but some children and parents may prefer group day care, despite what would seem to be a dream opportunity. Your child's age is a paramount consideration. Babies may do better at home or in an individual setting at first, graduating up to group care after a year or two. Individualized care for infants can be provided by a live-in au pair, a nanny who works eight hours a day, or in someone else's home. Nannies and au pairs may ring with aristocratic privilege, but like all options, have their pros and cons.
Parents assume all the hassles of employment, like deducting taxes and keeping detailed records.
Plus, the household may not easily adapt to the full-time presence of another member. Furthermore, while nannies and babysitters can provide extra personal attention, short of installing a hidden camera, parents may never be able to evaluate the quality of care an individual provides. Au pairs typically are allowed only one-year work visas, so you and baby will have to adjust to a new person relatively quickly. And in the case of any single caregiver, a sick day or personal emergency leaves you scrambling for a replacement or taking the day off yourself. Multiple caregiver environments, like a daycare center, have the advantage of guaranteeing there will be no absent caregivers that you have to cover.