Many parents wonder whether a nanny at home is automatically more expensive than regular childcare. The short, honest answer: it differs per family. The costs depend heavily on how many children you have, how many days of childcare you need and how long those days are. In practice, at The Family Assistant we see that the price difference between childcare and a nanny at home is often smaller than parents expect, and sometimes even works out in favour of a private nanny. That is why it is important not to look only at the first figure, but at the full calculation and what you get in return.
With childcare you pay an hourly rate per child. This means costs rise quickly when you have two or more children, or when you need long days of care. Say you have two children and need childcare three days a week for ten hours a day. The gross monthly cost is then considerable. Fortunately, the Dutch childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) covers part of it, depending on your income. But even with the benefit, childcare costs remain significant in many cases, and on top of that there are sometimes extras such as meals, closure days, extra hours or fines for late collection. Childcare is a solid, professional foundation, but it works with fixed times and fixed places.
With a nanny it works differently. You pay one hourly rate for the whole family, not per child. This changes the calculation, especially once you have more than one child. A nanny is in direct employment and becomes part of your daily rhythm. The hourly rate is usually higher than an hour of childcare per child, but because you do not multiply that rate by the number of children, nanny costs are often surprisingly comparable. Especially when you can use childcare benefit for a nanny at home (for children up to 12 years old, through the right payroll arrangement), the net amount drops further. Many families also appreciate that a nanny’s hours can be arranged more flexibly, without new costs being added each time.
The real difference is therefore not only in euros but in what suits your family life. A nanny offers one steady, familiar face, personal attention and continuity at home. That brings calm to children and parents alike. A nanny can also adapt naturally to the rhythm of your days: no stress about the clock, no rushing to drop off and pick up, and no separate bills for extra hours or activities. Many families find that this stability, flexibility and extra support at home (think healthy meals, structure, or accompanying the children to activities) is ultimately decisive. Costs matter, but the choice often comes down to the question: what brings us the most calm and balance, at home and in our working lives, with a nanny or Family Assistant through The Family Assistant?
