There is really no way to spin this truth: childcare is expensive.

When it comes to comparing the costs of modern childcare options, families are often stymied by how pricey the process of sponsoring and hiring a nanny can be.

But why do so many families across Canada (and around the world) prefer having a nanny to other types of childcare? There must be some reason. 

In fact, there are dozens of reasons. This article, for instance, lists a whopping 67 reasons, to be exact.

For the sake of brevity and conciseness, we thought we’d stick to what we think are the top eleven reasons to hire a nanny, instead of another form of childcare.

Who knows? Hiring a nanny might end up being the best thing for you and your family.

1. Nannies are experienced caregivers.

In many cases, nannies have had years of experience in childcare and often have other educational and professional experiences that enhance their abilities as your child’s caregiver.

A lot of overseas nannies have children of their own in their home countries, and choose to work as nannies in Canada or elsewhere in order to provide for those children and one day fund their travels or even immigration into Canada.

2. Nannies are available for long-term commitments.

Many overseas nannies stay with their families for at least two years, and sometimes even longer.

This can provide you and your children with desirable continuity and lead to a more comfortable childcare arrangement than one in which turnover and transition are more likely to occur.

3. Nannies are flexible.

This is probably the reason most families cite as the most important one that factored into their decision to hire a nanny in the first place.

We get it! Raising children while working full-time is no picnic, and parents find that having a nanny affords them with much more flexibility than a daycare or another type of caregiver can.

You can create your nanny’s schedule based around your schedule, and most nannies are used to week-to-week schedule changes therefore they can be very adaptable if and when you need to adjust their working hours.

4. Nannies help with housework.

One of the benefits of having a nanny as opposed to a babysitter or another form of childcare is that they help with housework.

This includes basic clean up related to the children’s activities, preparation of meals, the general maintenance of their rooms and play areas, and additional chores as needed.

While the primary role of a nanny is a caregiver for your children, rather than housekeeper, nannies expect to do a little bit of both, especially in situations where the children are at school or sleeping.

5. Nannies can be live-in.

This scenario is not only convenient, it can also foster a more familial bond between your family and your nanny, giving your children another trustworthy adult to rely on as well as keep them safe and happy.

6. Nannies can act as a third member of your parenting team.

Let’s face it, parenting isn’t easy!

It can be incredibly helpful to have a third parent figure in your children’s lives who spends almost as much time as you do with them (and sometimes more) and knows what they are like and what their needs are, both for day-to-day happiness and personal growth and maturation.

It can be difficult to keep a babysitter or a daycare centre helper in the ‘parenting’ loop about what your child needs, especially when it comes to discipline, but due to the nature of a nanny (especially a live-in nanny) there are likely to be far fewer inconsistencies between the raising and parenting of your children.

7. Nannies help you maintain your household.

As the previously cited article describes, “Your home is under control when you walk in the door.”

Can you imagine coming home to a clean house, happy and healthy children who are doing their homework or whatever it is they should be doing that moment, and all you have to do is greet your children and help with dinner (if the nanny hasn’t already begun making it)?

All of this is possible if you decide to hire a nanny!

8. Nannies can take on the role of date night babysitter.

Provided those hours she spends ‘babysitting’ your children don’t lead her to exceed her full-time limit, with a nanny, you eliminate the need of calling a casual or part-time babysitter to watch your kids while you take an evening off!

9. Nannies can be affordable similar to day care costs.

For most daycare, for instance, you pay per child, whereas with a nanny, you generally do not pay for the number of children.

In addition, if you miss a day of daycare because your children are sick, you are still have to pay for that particular day. With a nanny, she will be there to work and take care of your kids whether they are healthy or sick.

10. Nannies provide one-on-one attention.

Your child is guaranteed to have more one-on-one attention and care if looked after by a nanny.

While the socialization aspect of daycare is appealing, it can often to your child feeling neglected or less than stimulated. A nanny makes her career out of being a nanny and can provide activities tailored specifically for your children and their needs, and can adapt with other activities and strategies as needed, rather than have to depend on what the majority wants or needs.

11. Nannies can be like an extended member of the family.

There are so many success stories of families whose relationships with their past nannies last a lifetime.

And, after all, as Julia Quinn-Szcesuil says, “your nanny loves your kids as fiercely as you do and will do everything in her power to make them happy, healthy, and secure.”

What more could you want for your children?