Choosing who will care for your child is a big decision, but there are plenty of factors that only make it more difficult, including finances. We evaluated the costs and benefits of nanny, au pair and daycare services to help you decide which is most affordable for your family.
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Nannies, au pairs and daycare services all offer different benefits, but also come at different prices.
- The details: Full time coverage from a nanny or au pair is great for younger kids, but may be less necessary when they’re in school.
- The more you know: Data on childcare costs for your state are usually made available by government agencies online.
What does a nanny do?
The full-time services of a nanny are great for working families with young children. Full-time nannies typically work about 40 hours a week to watch babies and infants full time, with many working more hours to cover parents’ commutes or less time when kids are in school. Nannies can also help with a variety of household tasks like laundry, grocery shopping and cleaning.
While nannies can help children through a variety of stages, they typically do not provide the same educational and social opportunities a daycare might. Nanny services in the DMV typically cost $20-$40 per hour with varying expectations for time off and health care stipends. Additionally, many nanny services charge search fees and require deposits before services begin.
How is an au pair different from a nanny?
In addition to providing full-time child care services, hiring an au pair allows your family to help someone experience a new culture and potentially further their education. Au pairs are pre-screened, international people who provide live-in childcare for their host families.
Au pairs are required to live with their host families, so they may not be the best option for families with limited space. They typically take on a range of child care and light household duties in exchange for room, board and a small stipend. Their primary responsibility is the care and supervision of the host family’s children, which can include dropping off and picking up kids from school, helping with homework, preparing meals for the children, and organizing age-appropriate activities and outings. Au pairs often assist with bedtime routines, bath time and general day-to-day child supervision.
Beyond childcare, they may handle light housekeeping tasks related to the children, such as tidying play areas, doing the kids’ laundry and keeping common spaces tidy. While not typically expected to serve as a full-time housekeeper, an au pair is generally considered a helpful, participating member of the household who contributes to the household’s smooth daily functioning. The role also carries a cultural exchange component, as au pairs are usually from another country and are expected to share their language and culture with the family while immersing themselves in the host country’s way of life.
Au pair services typically cost about $1,750 a month. While this is comparable to daycare, au pair services typically charge per family, so this may be the more affordable option for large families.
Why daycares are the standard option for families
Daycare services in DC cost about $27,000 per year, with much lower prices near $15,000 available in Maryland and $12,000 in Virginia. Many daycares offer educational services, which can give your child a jumpstart in school. Additionally, daycares let little ones make friends and learn social skills on their own in a space where they are safe but not under the watch of mom or dad. Daycare may also offer you the opportunity to meet and bond with other families.
While daycare can support normal working hours, some daycares do not offer a 9-5 schedule, which may require you to change your schedule for pick up and drop off. Some daycares also institute fees for late pickup or drop off, offering less flexibility than nanny or au pair services. Additionally, while nannies and au pairs may work with you to resolve behavior issues, some daycares may suspend children for repeated behavior issues. This is usually only in extreme circumstances, such as repeated biting or aggression towards other children.
Local options for families
Check out some of our 2025 Washington Parent Pick winners and finalists for nannies, daycares and au pair services.
Nannies
- District Sitter: Helping create balance in your home, District Sitter provides screened, experienced, and adaptable nannies and house staff to meet your family’s specific needs.
- White House Nannies: With less than a 5% acceptance rate, White House Nannies employs only the most qualified child care professionals to nurture your children.
- Nannies in the City: Working with busy professionals like physicians, attorneys and diplomats, Nannies in the Cities personally vets and approves of nannies before presenting them to families.
Daycare
- Children’s International School: With pre-school and pre-kindergarten programs, Children’s International School helps kids learn through inquiry-based and globally minded programs.
- Bright Horizons at 2 Bethesda Metro: Caring for infants through kindergartners, Bright Horizons is the great for big and busy families to help their kids learn and grow through experience and socialization.
- Triangle Tots: Learning and activity focused, Triangle Tots ensures kids have fun while preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Au Pairs
- Go Au Pair: A service focused on meeting your individual family’s needs, Go Au Pair provides guidance on finding and hosting an au pair to make the transition smooth for all parties.
- Cultural Care Au Pair: With au pairs from over 30 countries, Cultural Care Au Pair services will help your child learn about the world while ensuring their lives are cared for and managed by a professional.
- Au Pair Care: Serving families across the DMV, Au Pair Care prioritizes cultural immersion. For any of DC’s many military families, the service offers a discount for military members.
