Is daycare or a nanny better for a baby?

Both can be good. A nanny gives one to one care on your baby's schedule at home. A licensed infant room follows state ratios and inspections and costs less for one child. The best choice depends on your budget, hours and how many kids you have.

At what age should a child go to daycare?

There is no single right age. Many centers take babies from 6 weeks, and many families who start with a nanny move to daycare or preschool around age 2 or 3 for group time.

Can I use Nanny for both a nanny and daycare?

Yes. Parents can book nannies and sitters and, if their center uses Nanny, see daycare check-in, pickup and daily reports in the same app.

For parents

Nanny or daycare?

Updated October 25, 2026

Short answer

Daycare usually costs less for one child, follows licensed ratios and inspections, and never calls in sick, but runs on fixed hours and closes for illness and holidays. A nanny costs more for one child, gives one to one care at home on your schedule, and can cost about the same per child with siblings or in a nanny share. Many families use a nanny for babies and switch to daycare or preschool around age 2 or 3.

Side by side

	Nanny	Daycare center
Cost for one child	About $41,600 to $72,800 a year plus taxes	US average $13,184 a year; infants cost more
Cost with two kids	Same nanny, rate up a few dollars an hour	Two tuitions
Hours	Your schedule, including early and late	Fixed hours, late fees after pickup time
When your child is sick	Care continues at home	Child stays home
Oversight	You check and supervise	State license, ratios and inspections
Social time	Playdates, classes, shares	All day with a group
Backup when care is out	You need backup when the nanny is sick	Closed on holidays and training days

In-between options

Nanny share: two families, one nanny, about two thirds of the solo cost each.
Family child care home: licensed care in a provider's home, small groups, often lower prices than a center.
Part-time nanny plus part-time preschool.
Au pair: a live-in caregiver on a US exchange visa, through a State Department designated sponsor.

Questions

Both can be good. A nanny gives one to one care on your baby's schedule at home. A licensed infant room follows state ratios and inspections and costs less for one child. The best choice depends on your budget, hours and how many kids you have.
There is no single right age. Many centers take babies from 6 weeks, and many families who start with a nanny move to daycare or preschool around age 2 or 3 for group time.
Yes. Parents can book nannies and sitters and, if their center uses Nanny, see daycare check-in, pickup and daily reports in the same app.

Sources