A daycare setting or one on one babysitter will provide different environments for your child. Daycares are in a home or center, and other children are present. A babysitter will normally come to your house, and usually will not bring other kids. Every child is different, and may be more content with one situation over the other.
Age Factor
Although most daycare facilities will accept babies, they may not be able to give the individual attention that parents hope for. Daycares also typically charge more for a baby than for an older child. The provider will have several children to watch and entertain in a daycare, and your baby may be in a playpen or swing for most of the day, and not carried around as you might do. The possible lack of attention during the day may lead to a fussy or clingy baby in the evening. A babysitter will be able to focus completely on a baby, which may be a better situation. A baby may be more comfortable in her own home, and be less likely to catch illnesses than in a daycare. An older toddler or child, however, will most likely find daycare settings more mentally stimulating than a babysitter.
Socialization
Toddlers and school age children can benefit from playing with other children, as will occur in a daycare setting. According to St. Jude Children's Research hospital, children develop language, social, and physical skills through playing. A babysitter will play with children they are watching and give plenty of attention, but this attention might not be as fun as playing with same age peers. Toddlers and preschool-age children will be prepared for school in a daycare setting, and school-age children will feel comfortable in a setting similar to class.
Childcare Provider Education
A babysitter or daycare provider can become CPR certified. A CPR or first aid certification is fairly easy to obtain, usually just by attending a short class and passing a test, and may save your child's life. The training will prepare someone to react properly if an emergency, like choking, should occur. Usually all licensed daycare employees are required to obtain certification.
Child Education
Many daycare center employees are educated in early child development, which gives them skills that will benefit your child, including a greater understanding of how children learn. An educated child care provider will provide age appropriate learning games and mentally stimulating toys. Babysitters might have gone to school or obtained similar training, and you can always check by asking. This type of education will also help the provider understand emotional needs, and will help with proper discipline.
Convenience
In-home babysitters can provide customized schedules for parents working odd hours. Sure, some daycares open at 5 or 6 in the morning, but waking a child up this early may not make for a great day. While a babysitters may have personal time she wants to take and may only offer to work certain hours, you can find a babysitter who will be willing to come over while a child is still sleeping in the morning, and let him stay in a normal sleep pattern. For parents without a car, it can be difficult to take public transportation to drop off their child at daycare and get to work on time. In this situation, a daycare within walking distance to work or home, or an in-home babysitter will work best.
Customized Care
Most daycare centers will already have standard procedures in place, where a babysitter may be more flexible. Daycare providers often provide snacks and lunches, and will give the same meal at the same time to each child. A babysitter can be told exactly what and when you would like your child to be fed. Daycare centers will also have certain rules in place, and well as discipline theories. You can tell a babysitter what your specific house rules are and what type of discipline you would like her to perform, if any.
