If you’re comparing daycare vs a nanny in Calgary, you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest decisions parents make in the early years—and it can feel emotional, practical, and financial all at once.

Here’s the good news: there isn’t one “right” choice for every family. The best option is the one that fits your child, your schedule, and your support system.

This guide breaks down the real trade-offs—cost, flexibility, learning, socialization, reliability, and peace of mind—using Calgary- and Alberta-specific details that help you compare fairly.

The quick difference

What daycare is like

A licensed daycare is a group setting with trained educators, a consistent routine, and structured activities. Children learn through play, build social skills with peers, and benefit from a reliable schedule and program setup.

Daycare tends to work best when you want school readiness, daily structure, and built-in social time.

What a nanny is like

A nanny provides childcare in your home, usually with one-on-one attention. The day can be customized around your child’s rhythms, your work hours, and your family routines. Some families also want help with child-related tasks (meals, tidying play areas, outings).

A nanny tends to work best when you need maximum flexibility, in-home convenience, or individualized care.

Cost comparison in Calgary (what to know before you compare)

Cost is often the deciding factor—and it’s also where comparisons get confusing fast.

Daycare costs: more predictable for many families

In Alberta, licensed early learning and childcare fees for children up to kindergarten age were reduced to a set parent fee starting April 1, 2025: $15/day, which the province describes as $326.25/month for full-time and $230/month for part-time care (for eligible children in licensed daycare and family day home programs).

That said, what’s “included” can vary by centre (meals, snacks, supplies, field trips, extended hours). A smart way to compare is to ask each program:

• What ages and schedules qualify for the set parent fee?

• What’s included in the monthly fee (food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, etc.)?

• Are there additional fees for extended hours or optional programs?

If your child is in a preschool program (rather than full-time daycare), Alberta notes that the fee structure can differ (for example, a reduction rather than the same flat fee).

Nanny costs: hourly is only the beginning

In Calgary, nanny rates vary by experience, responsibilities, and number of children. Public sources show Calgary nanny hourly pay often landing around the high teens to low 20s per hour (and higher for highly experienced roles).

But the hourly rate isn’t the full cost picture. Families often also need to plan for:

• Statutory holiday pay and vacation pay

• Sick days (and what happens when your nanny is ill)

• Payroll deductions/taxes (if hiring as an employee)

• Overtime or late-evening hours (if applicable)

• Paid trial days, background checks, and onboarding time

Some families explore a nanny share (two families sharing one nanny) to reduce costs, but it comes with coordination and logistics.

“One child vs. multiple kids” reality

For one child, daycare is often the more budget-friendly route because the cost doesn’t multiply the same way hourly care can.

For two or three children, a nanny can sometimes become more financially comparable—especially if you value in-home care and flexible scheduling. It’s not automatic, but it’s worth doing the math for your family.

Learning and development: what children gain in each setting

Daycare strengths: social confidence + school readiness

High-quality daycare supports children in learning how to be part of a group. That’s a big life skill.

Children practise:

• Sharing and turn-taking

• Following routines (circle time, meals, clean-up, outdoor play)

• Cooperative play and early friendships

• Listening, communication, and problem-solving with peers

Licensed programs also tend to have consistent educator teams and activity plans that support early learning goals.

Nanny strengths: individualized attention + custom pacing

A nanny can tailor the day to one child’s needs—especially helpful if your child does best with a slower pace, fewer transitions, or more one-on-one support.

A nanny can also:

• Align naps, meals, and routines closely with your home

• Adjust activities based on your child’s interests

• Offer a consistent caregiver bond in a familiar setting

The key trade-off

Daycare shines for peer learning and structured routines.

Nannies shine for one-on-one attention and maximum customization.

Many families find their best fit depends on temperament:

• Some kids thrive in groups and love busy rooms.

• Some kids warm up slowly and do better with smaller, calmer settings.

Flexibility and schedule: the make-or-break factor

When daycare usually fits best

Daycare often works well when:

• Your schedule is relatively predictable

• You’re comfortable with set drop-off and pick-up windows

• You want reliable coverage across the workweek

When a nanny may fit best

A nanny may be a better fit when:

• You work shift schedules or irregular hours

• You need early mornings, evenings, or occasional weekends

• You travel or have frequent schedule changes

A note about backup care and reliability

Here’s a practical piece parents don’t always think about at the start:

If your nanny is sick, has an emergency, or leaves the role, you may suddenly need backup childcare. With a staffed daycare model, coverage is generally more stable because care isn’t dependent on one person.

Illness and exposure: what parents should expect

Many families worry about daycare sickness, and it’s a fair consideration.

In group settings, children often experience more colds early on because they’re exposed to more germs. For some families, that first season can feel like a lot.

With a nanny, children may have fewer exposures day-to-day—though it doesn’t guarantee they won’t get sick.

A helpful mindset is to plan for illness either way:

• What’s your backup plan if your child is home sick?

• What’s your plan if your caregiver is sick?

Safety and oversight: what to check in Calgary

Daycare licensing and inspections

One advantage of licensed childcare is oversight. Alberta provides a Childcare Lookup Tool where parents can find licensed programs and view details like program status and recent inspection results.

Before enrolling, you can:

• Confirm the program is licensed

• Ask how staff training and ratios are managed

• Ask about routines, behaviour guidance, and communication with parents

Nanny vetting checklist (worth doing carefully)

If you hire a nanny, you’re essentially building your own childcare system. That can be wonderful—but it also means you’re responsible for vetting.

Strong starting points:

• References (and actually call them)

• First aid/CPR certification (ask to see it)

• A background check

• A written agreement (hours, pay, holidays, sick time, duties)

• A paid trial period to ensure it’s a true fit

A simple decision checklist (choose what fits your family)

Ask yourself:

1) How predictable is your weekly schedule?
If your hours are steady, daycare can be a great match. If your schedule changes frequently, a nanny may reduce stress.

2) What does your child need most right now?
Do they light up around other kids? Or do they do better with one consistent caregiver and slower transitions?

3) What kind of cost feels sustainable?
Daycare is often easier to budget monthly, especially with Alberta’s fee structure for eligible children in licensed care.

4) How important is built-in socialization?
Daycare naturally includes daily peer interaction. With a nanny, you’ll likely need to plan playdates or group activities.

5) What’s your backup plan?
Think through illness, holidays, and emergencies—because these are the moments that test your childcare choice.

Where Chapter1 Daycare fits for Calgary families

At Chapter1 Daycare, we’re built for real family schedules and real child development needs.

Families choose Chapter1 because we combine:

• A warm, safe, welcoming environment

• Play-based learning that supports early education and school readiness

• daily activities, crafts, outdoor play, and nutritious meals

• transparent, parent-friendly communication

• flexible scheduling options, including extended hours and non-traditional care (where available by program)

And with two Calgary locations—Cedarbrae and Royal Oak—families can choose the community that fits their day-to-day routine.

If you’re leaning toward daycare but want it to feel personal, consistent, and supportive, we’d love to meet you.

FAQs: Daycare vs Nanny in Calgary

Is it better to have a nanny or daycare?

It depends on your family’s priorities. Daycare often supports social skills, routines, and structured learning, while a nanny offers one-on-one care and maximum flexibility. The “best” choice is the one that fits your child and schedule.

Is daycare cheaper than a nanny in Calgary?

Often, yes—especially for one child. Alberta’s set parent fee for eligible children in licensed childcare can make daycare more predictable and affordable than hourly in-home care.

How much does a nanny cost in Calgary?

Rates vary widely, but public sources commonly show Calgary nanny hourly pay in the high teens to low 20s per hour, depending on experience and responsibilities.

What are the disadvantages of having a nanny?

Nannies can be more expensive, require hiring and vetting, and may create backup-care challenges if they’re sick or leave. Socialization also takes more planning unless you arrange playgroups or a nanny share.

What are the pros and cons of daycare?

Pros can include peer socialization, routines, structured learning, and reliable coverage. Cons can include less one-on-one attention, fixed hours, and more illness exposure early on.

What should I ask when hiring a nanny?

Ask about experience with your child’s age, references, first aid/CPR, daily routine approach, boundaries/discipline philosophy, and comfort with a written agreement and trial period.

How do I choose a daycare in Calgary?

Look for licensing, safety practices, staff training, routines, communication style, and how the program supports learning through play. You can also verify licensed programs through Alberta’s Childcare Lookup Tool.