As we are nearing summer, many parents face the seasonal challenge of finding ways to keep their children active, engaged, and cared for while school is out. Two of the most common options are hiring a temporary summer nanny and attending a summer camp. Both of these exciting options have many benefits, but how do you know which is right for your family? Let’s break down some of the major pros and cons to help you decide.
Summer Nanny
When a family needs additional assistance for a brief period of time, such as during a vacation or when the current caretaker needs to take some time off, a temporary nanny is someone who fills in the gaps and assists with extra-needed childcare coverage. This added help can be especially crucial during the summertime when children are out of school and home all day long. Without school to keep children busy during the day, parents’ schedules can become overwhelmed and overbooked. When this happens, often, we can get drained both physically and emotionally; this leads to high stress levels, worse self-maintenance, and makes family time far less enjoyable. Having a summer nanny to take some of the load off our plates can relieve this pressure and keep the kids having a great time as well! They make it possible for children to safely get out of the house for a little fun!
Pros:
- Individualized attention: Having a one-to-one ratio, or even one-to-two, three, four, or however many children you may have, can be hugely beneficial, especially for younger kiddos who thrive with personalized care
- Flexible scheduling: When you hire a summer nanny, you set the hours needed for coverage. It’s also common for summer nannies to live-in, which can be incredibly helpful for families who need support early in the mornings or late at night.
- Support for multiple kids: Though hiring a nanny for the summer is a larger cost up front, if you have multiple children, it may actually save money, depending on your camp options
- Less transition time: Anxiety and overstimulation are often reduced because they’re comfortable with their environment and don’t have to deal with pick-ups and drop-offs
Cons:
- Cost: Hiring a summer nanny is typically more costly than a summer camp; however, it really can be worth it due to the personalized care they offer
- Socialization limits: When it’s just your child(ren) and the nanny at home, it can definitely limit their socialization time, but many nannies help promote social development by scheduling playdates and other engaging activities outside of the home
- Planning required: You may need to create a schedule and plan activities unless your nanny is proactive and has experience doing this
Summer Camp
There are all different types of summer camps from sleepaway to day and even specific kinds like drama or sport focused ones! These can be great options depending on your children’s interests, but let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Social development: Being thrown into a new community through camp can help develop social skills and build life-long friendships
- Skill building: Camp-based activities are often focused on building skills from learning different types of crafts, games, basic life skills, and more! This can provide children with new interests and hobbies
- Structured days: Providing structured schedules can help reduce stress and anxiety for anyone at any age
- Energetic environment: Camp is often a great option for high-energy children because of the physical and hands-on activities
Cons:
- Less flexibility: Camps have strict pick-up and drop-off times, which aren’t always conducive to parents’ schedules
- Overstimulation: Camps can be noisy, bright, and filled with many new people and activities, which can lead to overstimulation and burnout
- Logistics: Adding transportation, packing lunches, and preparing can add a lot to any caretaker’s schedule
When deciding whether to go the summer nanny or summer camp route, ask these questions:
What’s your budget?
While a summer nanny is often more expensive up front, it can actually be more affordable than a summer camp if you have multiple children.
How social is your child?
- Extroverted children may thrive in camps, while introverted children may find them overwhelming and do better with one-on-one care
Do you need flexibility?
- Summer camps may not be the right option for you if you need more flexibility in your family’s schedule
Choosing between a temporary summer nanny and summer camp really just comes down to what kind of support would be best for your family. If you are unsure what is right for you, please get in touch with the experienced and caring staff at the Nanny Authority at 973-466-2669 or info@nannyauthority.com. We have been connecting families with nannies for decades and are ready to listen to your needs and help you make the best choice.