Childcare cost planning
Nanny vs Daycare Cost: A Vancouver Parent Guide
Daycare is usually the lower-cost option. Nanny care is the premium option families choose when they need availability, schedule fit, care at home, or continuity that a centre cannot provide.
The cheapest option only helps if it is available.
Cost planning should include the actual start date, sick-day rules, commute, missed work, and whether the care plan can hold up during normal family life.
Monthly examples
Monthly cost examples
Use these as planning examples, not quotes. Daycare fees depend on provider, age group, program type, and subsidies. Nanny costs depend on hours, duties, experience, payroll, and contract terms.
| Option | Monthly planning number | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| $10 a Day daycare spot | About $200/month for full-time care when a family has access to an approved space. | Very strong value, but access depends on the centre, space, age group, and waitlist. |
| Licensed daycare with fee reduction | Varies by provider, age group, and provincial fee reductions. | Use the B.C. Child Care Fee Estimator or provider quote for current family cost. |
| Part-time Nanny | About $2,167/month at $25/hour for 20 hours per week, before employer costs. | Useful when family help, preschool, or flexible work covers the rest of the week. |
| Full-time Nanny | About $4,333/month at $25/hour for 40 hours per week, before employer costs. | Premium care built around the home, schedule, child, and family routine. |
| Babysitting membership | From $29/month +GST, plus sitter hourly rates when care is booked. | Best for recurring backup, not a full-time daycare replacement. |
Reality check
Why the cheapest option is not always the real option
A $10 a Day daycare space is excellent value if your child gets one. The problem many Vancouver families face is timing. If care is not available before work restarts, the family still needs a plan. That is where Nanny care, part-time Nanny support, and babysitting memberships become practical.
The cost comparison should include missed work, commute strain, sick-day exclusions, closure days, and the emotional cost of a plan that keeps falling through.
Sunhouse planning note
What Sunhouse pricing touches
Sunhouse babysitting starts at $22/hour for one child, with a $35 +GST agency booking fee unless covered by an eligible membership. Regular sitter schedules start at $25/hour.
Nanny Placement pricing is separate. The current Sunhouse search fee is $500 +GST, with a placement fee of 10% of annual gross on successful placement.
Free parent resource
Questions to ask before you choose a daycare
Use this checklist before a daycare tour, waitlist call, or spot offer. It helps parents compare safety, staffing, schedules, illness policies, communication, and backup plans before committing to a centre.
Questions
Cost FAQs
How much does a Nanny cost per month in Vancouver?
A simple planning example is about $4,333 per month for 40 hours per week at $25 per hour, before employer payroll costs, vacation, statutory holiday rules, and any agency fees. The final cost depends on the role, hours, duties, and employment structure.
Is daycare cheaper than a Nanny?
Yes. Daycare is usually cheaper, especially if a family has a $10 a Day space or a fee-reduced licensed space. A Nanny costs more because the caregiver is dedicated to one household and can work around the family schedule.
What is the cheapest daycare alternative?
The cheapest alternative is usually family help, a part-day preschool plus family coverage, or a Nanny Share if two families can agree on the details. A babysitting membership is useful for repeat short bookings, but it is not a full-time care replacement.
Should I compare Nanny cost against daycare only?
No. Also compare timeline, missed work, commute, sick-day rules, continuity, and whether the care plan can actually start when you need it. The cheapest option is not useful if no spot is available.
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