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Type of child care
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Nanny
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Individual attention for your child. One-on-one care is especially important for children under one.
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Consistent care from one person.
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Generally a professional child carer, with relevant qualifications.
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Hours are flexible, depending on your contract agreement.
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Child stays in own home and familiar environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.
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You can have more say in child care as nanny is your direct employee.
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Some nannies do light housework.
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Can be expensive compared with other child care if you have one child.
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Child may miss out on daily social interactions if there are no regular play dates and outings.
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You will need to arrange back-up care if the nanny is ill, takes holidays or leaves.
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You may feel you lose some privacy and space with a live-in nanny sharing your home.
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Nanny sharing
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You have the benefits of a nanny but with lower costs.
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You only pay for the time you need the nanny.
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If the nanny is caring for children from two families simultaneously, they may form strong friendships.
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Administration and paperwork can be shared with the other family.
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It can take time and effort to find a compatible family to share a nanny with.
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You will need to co-ordinate holidays and any changes in schedule with the other family.
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Disagreements between the nanny and one family may affect the other family.
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Au pair
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Exposes the family to another culture and language.
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A cheaper option than a full-time nanny.
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Individual attention for your child.
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Child stays in own home and familiar environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.
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Au pair is living with the family, so can be flexible to fit in routines and special needs (eg holidays).
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Consistency of care can be an issue. (NB: Au pairs on a Working Holiday visa are restricted to 12 months' work with one employer.)
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Generally young and living away from home, so will need some personal guidance and advice.
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May not be interested in child care as a career option, and may have little experience.
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You may feel you lose some privacy and space with another person sharing your home.
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If you employ a au pair directly, rather than use an agency, you will be responsible for wages, tax, superannuation etc.
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Mother's help
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Can help with housework as well as child care.
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A cheaper option than a full-time nanny.
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Individual attention for your child.
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Child stays in own home and familiar environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.
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Not qualified or newly qualified so may not have much experience.
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Initially, should not be left unsupervised until they are comfortable with the child and their duties.
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Long day care (child care centre)
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For a single child, it is usually cheaper than hiring a nanny.
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Care is always available during opening hours. The centre will manage replacement staff if any carer is ill or unavailable.
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Provides a structured program with routine and activities.
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Centres are licensed facilities, and all staff will have relevant experience and qualifications.
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Child meets a range of other children and educators.
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Less individual attention than nanny or au pair.
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Child is exposed to more people and more illnesses.
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Child may find it hard to settle in to unfamiliar environment.
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Many centres have long waiting lists and fees can be expensive.
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May not be flexible enough to suit your child's individual temperament and needs.
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You will have to arrange travel to and from the centre.
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Family day care
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A more affordable child care option.
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A safe, home environment with consistent care.
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Most educators have had children of their own.
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Interaction with a small group of children of varying ages.
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Can be arranged to fit in to your schedule.
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You will need to arrange back-up care if the educator is ill or unavailable.
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There is not the same range of toys, equipment and activities as at a child care centre.
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You will have to arrange travel to and from the educators home.
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In-home care
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May be the best option in special situations eg parents working non-standard hours, sick child.
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Flexible child care to suit the hours you need.
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Individual attention for your child.
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Child stays in home environment. Routines do not have to change. No need to travel and less exposure to illness.
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Can be expensive, depending on how long care is needed.
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Child may miss out on daily social interactions if there are no regular play dates and outings.
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You will need to arrange back-up care if the carer is ill or unavailable.
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Babysitter
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Flexible child care, especially for short periods over evenings and weekends.
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Child stays in home environment.
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Gives parents a chance to take a break without a long-term child care commitment.
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