Many parents wonder whether a live-in nanny is automatically more expensive than regular childcare. The short, honest answer: it varies from family to family. The costs depend greatly on how many children you have, how many days you need childcare, and how long those days are. In practice, at The Family Assistant, we see that the price difference between childcare and a live-in nanny is often smaller than parents expect and sometimes even works out in favor of a private nanny. That's why it's important to look not only at the initial cost, but also at the total cost and what you get in return.
With childcare, you pay an hourly rate per child. This means that the costs can quickly add up if you have two or more children, or if you need childcare for long hours. Suppose you have two children and you need childcare three days a week for ten hours a day. This will result in a substantial gross monthly expense. Fortunately, childcare allowance covers part of this, depending on your income. But even with the allowance, childcare costs remain considerable in many cases, and on top of that there are sometimes extras such as meals, study days, overtime, or fines for late pick-ups. Childcare is a solid, professional basis, but it works with fixed times and fixed locations.
With a nanny, it works differently. You pay one hourly rate for the whole family, not per child. This changes the calculation, especially if you have several children. A nanny is employed and becomes part of your daily routine. The hourly rate is usually higher than childcare per child, but because you don't multiply that rate by the number of children, the nanny costs are often surprisingly similar. Especially when you can use childcare allowance for a nanny at home (for children up to 12 years old via the correct wage structure), the net amount decreases further. For many families, it is also nice that the nanny hours can be used more flexibly, without incurring new costs each time.
The real difference is therefore not only in terms of money, but also in terms of what suits your family life. A nanny offers one familiar face, personal attention, and continuity in the home. This provides peace of mind for children and parents. In addition, a nanny can naturally adapt to your daily routine: no stress about clock times, no hassle with drop-off and pick-up times, and no separate bills for extra childcare hours or activities. Many families find that this stability, flexibility, and extra support at home (think healthy meals, structure, or supervision for activities) are ultimately decisive factors. Costs are important, but the choice often comes down to the question: what gives us the most peace of mind and balance, both at home and in our working lives, with a nanny or Family Assistant through The Family Assistant?