Nanny Search 101

Finding the Right Fit for Your Family

By Dorothy Nelson

One hot topic of conversation among parents today involves making the best decision for yourself, your family and your child when it comes to childcare. Childcare facilities providing care for more than one child include daycare centers, in-home care (where one person takes care of up to six children, possibly including their own) and co-ops (in which parents alternate taking care of each other's children). Another option for childcare is to hire a nanny – someone to work in your home with just your children.

Nannies need first be distinguished from baby nurses and doulas. Baby nurses are typically women who work with a family for a defined period of time, usually no more than three months, after the baby is first born. They help with feedings, changing diapers and putting babies on a sleep schedule. Typically, they also live with the family during the course of their stay.

A doula, a Greek word meaning "mother the mother," is a person who has had formal training to become a birth coach for expectant moms. In addition to coaching during childbirth, doulas also help moms ease into the postpartum experience by answering questions and facilitating the transition into the role of mother.

For most families, a nanny is a special person, whether or not they live in your home. Tracy Wilson, mother to Patrick and Garrett, says having a nanny makes getting ready for work easier. "The kids can wake up, stay in their pajamas and eat breakfast without feeling so rushed in the morning," she says. Wilson also is convinced that having a nanny is good for her family's health. "It may just be coincidence, but my second son, for whom we had a nanny, rarely had a doctor's visit," she says. One additional bonus for Tracy is that her nanny isn't "tied to a set schedule," which allows for scheduling flexibility.

Want to see more?

• Toddlers in Daycare: Easing the Transition
• Grandma in Charge: When Grandparents Care for Kids
• Selecting Quality Childcare
• Who Will Love the Children? Why It's Important to Name a Guardian for Your Kids
• In Search of a Super Sitter!
• Talk about it!