Selecting the Best Care Option for Your Baby 👶 – All about creating a happy & healthy home 🥰

One of the biggest emotional hurdles as a new mum is figuring out who will care for your baby when you can’t. Some parents have the choice to stay home longer, while others (like me, and maybe you) need to return to work sooner than we would like. And while the decision can feel overwhelming, what matters most is finding care that feels safe, trustworthy, and right for your baby and your family. 🌺

I want to share our journey of choosing between a nanny and a crèche (nursery), what worked, what didn’t, and the things I wish I had known earlier. Hopefully, this will help guide you if you’re facing the same decision.

Our Experience with a Nanny 🍼

When my son Gabriel was just 6 months old, I had to return to work. We didn’t feel ready for crèche at that age, so we decided to hire a nanny.

❓Why we chose a nanny at first:

He was still very little and we felt he needed the comfort of being at home.
It was cost-effective because we found someone close to family.
I was working from home, so it gave me peace of mind knowing he was nearby.

✅ What worked well:

Convenience — no packing bags or drop-offs.
He was in a familiar environment.
The nanny was kind and someone we know and we felt safe with her.

❎ What didn’t work so well:

Because I was at home, Gabriel always wanted me. He knew I was there and found it hard to settle with the nanny.
I felt like it sometimes created confusion for him… “Why is mummy here but not picking me up?”
He never built a strong bond with the nanny, which left me and the nanny feeling guilty and him unsettled.

💭 What I learned: If you work from home, nanny care can be tricky. Babies are very aware, and it can make it harder for them to separate and adapt. Looking back, I would have created more structure and boundaries around “mummy is working now.”

Our Experience with a Crèche (Nursery) 🏫

When Gabriel turned 1, we transitioned him into a crèche. Finding one wasn’t easy because we had waited too long — tip: register during pregnancy if you can! — but eventually we found the perfect place.

It was a small nursery about 25 minutes away, but it felt more like a home than an institution. The headteacher (also the owner) was warm yet firm, and there was something about her that inspired trust.

❤️ What we loved about the crèche:

Small groups: Only 4 babies in his room with 2 carers. This gave him lots of attention.
Adaptation period: They insisted we wouldn’t pay until Gabriel was fully settled. This told us they genuinely cared about his wellbeing, not just money.
Parental access: We could walk into his room freely (except nap time). No locked doors, no awkward waiting — this transparency gave us huge trust.
Patience: Gabriel took nearly 2 months to adjust, and they never gave up on him. That meant everything to us.

💭 What I learned: Sometimes your intuition as a parent knows best. When you feel peace walking into a place, that’s a sign. The right crèche should feel safe, open, and supportive — for both you and your child.

Nanny vs. Nursery: What to Consider 🧐

If you’re currently weighing your options, here are some things to think about:

Nanny care:
✔ One-on-one attention
✔ Baby stays in familiar surroundings
✔ Flexible routine
✘ Can be harder if you work from home
✘ Socialisation is limited compared to nursery – but then again, there are parks they can go to…
✘ Quality depends entirely on one person

Nursery/Crèche:
✔ Structured environment and routines
✔ Socialisation with other children
✔ Multiple carers (more reliability if one is sick)
✔ Usually more educational stimulation
✘ Can be overwhelming for very young babies
✘ Less flexibility with schedules
✘ Waitlists can be long

Final Thoughts ❤️

Choosing care for your baby is not easy — and it’s okay if it takes time for you (and your little one) to adjust. What matters most is trust, safety, and a place where your child feels loved.

Whether you choose a nanny or a nursery, remember: there’s no perfect option, only the one that fits your family best at this moment. And just like us, you might change paths along the way — and that’s completely okay.

Parenthood is full of choices that stretch our hearts, but it’s also full of growth. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and know that you’re doing the best you can for your baby. 🌸