Nannies and babysitters have the same role because both are fully devoted to a child’s development and welfare. While parents work they will care for children. They have a responsibility to create daily schedules and engage in activities to ensure healthy mental, physical and emotional growth of the children they care for. However, besides the basic difference in the length of engagement (Nannies – full time; Babysitters – occasional engagement), there are other differences between these two types of caregivers, and of course those types can further be specialized in other categories. Let’s have a look on few types of caregivers:
Nannies
A Nanny is a term related to a qualified child caregiver who would be employed by you in your own home on a live-in or live-out basis. Most of the qualified Nannies are trained to provide the care and educational development of children up to the age of 7 years, but practice has shown that domestic Nannies usually provide care for ages ranging from new-born to 11 years. Some of the best nannies in our region do not have formal qualifications; however, they will have excellent references and lots of experience.
Nannies could be engaged on a full-time basis during the working week, longer or shorter than that, or on a nanny share basis with another family. Recently is has become a trend that nannies live within a family home.
Nannies have more responsibilities and duties than a babysitter does (and, because of that, a higher salary): preparing meals, helping with household work (dishes, laundry, etc.), assisting with homework and taking the children to and from activities. Usually, nannies earn a weekly salary (based on hourly rate) or they have defined monthly salary.
Nannies provide a safe, stimulating environment within your home in which your children can learn, develop and grow safely.
Because the job of a nanny is much like that of a parent, most families and nannies work together to create a nanny contract that lays out all terms and conditions of the job, including vacation time, sick days and much more.
Babysitters
Babysitters care for children of all ages who are in need of supervision for a few hours. Most babysitters work either on a regular schedule need (after school or on weekends) or by specific occasion (New Year’s night, anniversary or similar).
Babysitters will look after your children in your own home or on a happening where you take them with you, or even on a holiday if you need some free hours only for yourself. They will also care for your children whilst you are out for the evening. This type of engagement refers to occasions of urgent need, in case of parents’ sickness, sudden trips or in case of replacement of a nanny. In case if parent wants to take a break of caregiving and housekeeping duties, and plans to go out and visit friends or go shopping, babysitter services are the best solution in such occasions.
Babysitters usually work for hourly rates, but may be paid extra if they agree to handle additional services such as cooking, tutoring and light housekeeping.
Maternity nannies/babysitters
Maternity nannies are typically qualified as pediatric nurses or midwifes, and they have a great deal of experience of working with newborn babies. Both will work with the new mom and/or dad assisting and guiding over a short-term period of time in the first most difficult period upon a birth and adjustment to the completely different life conditions.
Their role is to establish a suitable routine for baby/babies and to advise parents on all aspects of care, hygiene and feeding. This nanny will help a mom in establishing the breast feeding, will be of great help when it comes to baby colic and in night shift will be adequate replacement of parents.
Length of care is dependent on the family needs. These positions are typically “live in” or nights only (nannies), although sometimes families engage experienced professional midwifes and/or pediatric nurses occasionally, based on the urgent need (babysitters).
Nanny/babysitter share
Nanny share type of service is when two families share a nanny/babysitter, in one or both homes, and agree the terms of employment between them and share the costs.
You can agree with your shared nanny/babysitter to take care for additional responsibilities (laundry; cooking for the family; pet care; ironing and/or grocery shopping), while the child is asleep or is on some kind of daily activity, in which case the hourly rate for a nanny/babysitter is higher than usual.
