In Home or Out of Home Childcare?

In-home Versus Out-of-home Childcare

Out-of-Home Childcare Includes:

• Day nurseries, work nurseries / crèches.
• Nursery schools and pre-schools.
• Childminders.
• Out-of-school clubs and care.  

In-Home Childcare Includes:

• Relatives and friends.
• Nannies, maternity and night nurses.
• Au pairs and mother's helps.

Out-of-Home Childcare Pros and Cons:

Out of Home Pros	√	Out of Home Cons	X
Peace of mind that the childcare setting is Ofsted regulated and regularly inspected		If your child is ill you will have to stay at home or find alternative cover
Your child will start their education in line with the Early Years Curriculum		You are likely to still be charged if your child is ill or away on holiday
Almost 100% reliability, they are guaranteed to be open on the days they say they will. Many will open all year round		Your child may pick up more colds and bugs, meaning you have to take more time off work
Your child will be surrounded by children of the same age and can form some very strong friendships		You are constrained by drop off and pick up times, often with little flexibility
This can be the most affordable type of childcare		It can be stressful and worrying leaving a baby in a nursery setting or with a childminder at first
You can often get financial assistance from the Government or your employer		There are negative stories in the press about the effects of childcare, particularly nurseries, on children
Your child will be eligible for 5 free early years funded sessions per week from the age of 3		It can take time for a child to settle in. This can be a stressful time for both of you
They will be equipped with lots of new toys and activities which your child will love		You have less control over their routine, diet and discipline
Children will be better prepared for school in terms of socializing, learning and a more formal routine		Staff turnover can be high which may be unsettling for your child
Your home is your own!		Staff can be young and inexperienced

In-Home Pros	√	In-home Cons	x
Help comes to you or lives-in, ensuring greater flexibility in handover time and hours of cover		If your childcare can’t make it to work, you are left in the lurch. Alternative arrangements will have to be made, often at short notice
You are not constrained by nursery or child minder working hours		You have someone in your home all day (or 24 hours a day) so lose your privacy
Children remain in their own environment and in their own routine		It can take more time and effort to find someone you are happy to share your home with
If agreed upfront, they can help with other duties, e.g. shopping, housework		You have to manage in home childcare and ensure they are happy and fulfilled in their job
Your childcarer can provide over- night cover		It is your responsibility as an employer to ensure all taxes & National Insurance are paid
Children can attend classes and activities selected by you, whether you are there to take them or not		Your children may have less opportunity to socialize with other children
If you work from home you can see your children during the day		You don’t know what is going on when you are not there
Your children will have one-to-one attention with the same care giver over time		If you decide to provide a car with the job there will be the expense of the car, insurance and fuel
You have greater control over discipline, values and the food your children are given		If someone is live-in you will forfeit an extra bedroom / or flat and subject your home to additional wear and tear
Your children are less likely to pick up as many illnesses		If you have only one child it can be an expensive form of childcare
You can build up a strong and fulfilling working relationship		If things go wrong with the working relationship it can be very stressful for all concerned