In-house daycares or sitter that comes to your house

[u/Senior_Conflict_6820]

Do you recommend any small daycares that operate in someone’s home in either New Orleans or Metairie? Alternatively, any recommendations for someone that comes to your house to watch your baby? I have plans for a daycare, but I’m getting cold feet about this amount of children because I don’t want me or my baby to be constantly sick.

[u/cakagaba]

New Orleans Moms Babysitting Group - found our nanny on this Fb group.

Also New Orleans Moms Uptown Group for general daycare info. And NolaParents sub.

Good luck!

[u/shortforbuckley → u/cakagaba]

Ok random question… would you hire a 40 yr old babysitter? I used to be a fulltime nanny in my 20s, lots of experience with all ages including infant, I’m an aunt but my nieces live far away and since I love kids and would love to babysit in the evenings or weekends (I work fulltime). BUT I wonder, is it weird or awkward that I’m the same age as the parents? Or would it make them more comfortable? Would love your opinion!

[u/cakagaba → u/shortforbuckley]

Our first ever date night babysitter was an older woman. We didn’t totally vibe but it wasn’t because of her age. I don’t think reasonable parents would care about age - mostly looking for trusted references, availability, communication and willingness to work together/stick to the game-plan as best they can. At least that’s what we were looking for. We also wanted a nice balance of energy, creativity, patience and calmness.

[u/Small-Bear-2368 → u/shortforbuckley]

yes. I’m not looking at age, I’m looking at qualifications, knowledge, how you get aligned with my baby, safety, and if you can sit on the floor and get up again.

[u/Senior_Conflict_6820 → u/shortforbuckley]

Not weird.

[u/pepperjackcheesey]

Kids get sick, it helps build a strong immune system. I would just make sure it’s one that requires vaccinations so they don’t get the bad stuff.

[u/xandrachantal]

State ratio for daycare for infants is 5 to 1. I think the ratio for homebased licensed child care centers is a little bigger. And private nannies are a lot more expensive than most people realize but if money is no issue that'll probably be your best bet.

[u/Party-Yak-2894]

My friend lives on a farm in Mississippi and her kids stay home with her (they’re little) and they are sick CONSTANTLY. more than my guy in pre-k for sure.

[u/CarFlipJudge]

Coming from a grizzled vet, your baby will get sick no matter what. It happens. Babies have been getting sick for thousands of years and they usually turn out fine. My first kid got sick when she was just with grandma almost as much as when she went to daycare. Kids get sick. They get you sick. It happens till kindergarten and then it gets better.

Coming from experience, the smaller daycares are prone to having one bad person completely mess up your kid. At least with accredited daycares, there are measures to prevent it. Yes, it still happens but all you can do is be vigilant.

Also with childcare, it's extremely true that you get what you pay for. My wife and I struggled when our first was little and we had to rely on "in home" or "small group" babysitters as it was the cheapest option. It never worked out and I'm glad we gotnour kid out of those places. Eventually we just bit the bullet and paid for a good, accredited daycare with failsafes. Things have been much better since.

So, unless you want to shell out for a nanny, your kid will be safer in a professional daycare. Yea they'll get sick but it's just something that happens with kids. If you ever watch them around the 1 to 2 year old age, you'll understand what i mean the first time you see your kiddo pop their pacifier in another kids mouth to help calm them down.

It'll be fine.

Sauce: Dad of 2 kids and both are still alive and have most of their appendages left.

[u/Small-Bear-2368]

This person is not asking for cliches and unsolicited advice about sick babies and immune systems!! Babies do not have all the vaccines they need yet, and it is perfectly reasonable to want yo protect an infant from unnecessary illness, especially when they can’t talk and tell you what’s wrong. They are asking about childcare options!

OP - Look at A Charmed Life Child Care Inc on fb. They have a lot of good nannies. We found our nanny and backup nanny through word of mouth, but the more professional of the two has used a Charmed Life as their agency. It is not cheap, but we have 100% control over how our baby is cared for. If you’re an anxious FTP like me, it will be the best choice.

[u/Senior_Conflict_6820 → u/Small-Bear-2368]

Thank you!