Difference between a Nanny and a Babysitter
The difference between a nanny and a babysitter could be a somehow "controversial" topic for most parents. These two roles might be looked at like identical, however, the truth is they are not. In comparison, both roles play a part in the supervision and care of children when parents are away. Nevertheless, the responsibilities, duties and tasks are different for a nanny than for a babysitter. Knowing the difference between these two could be important as you might want to know exactly what are you looking for and what fits best in your family.
What is a nanny?
Nannies are childcare experts that help parents with guidance in the day-to-day job of taking care of and raising children. Nannies are accountable for the well-being and emotional development or needs of the children they are taking care of. The responsibilities of a nanny may include:
- Bathing and dressing the children.
- Preparing meals.
- Organizing play-dates.
- Looking after children during workouts.
- Supporting children with schoolwork.
Nannies may be responsible for taking care of the children's schooling in aspects such as dropping them off and picking them up from school. The way nannies work is being full-time for one SINGLE family at a time.
What is a babysitter?
Babysitters are individuals that are committed to making a difference as childcare workers. Babysitters are saddled with the full responsibility of taking care of the welfare and health of the children when their parents are away or can't commit 100% to them. Babysitters are hired "as needed" or "on-call", i.e., they may be hired every other Friday and on Tuesdays. The duties of babysitters revolve around supervising the children's play and keeping them safe. You may also need them to perform additional tasks here and there but without regular imposition. Unlike nannies, babysitters work with several different families at a time.
| Nanny | Babysitter | |
|---|---|---|
| Who do they work for? | One single family. | Several families at a time. |
| Availability | Depending on the working scheme: half time or full time. | Limited, since they might have a busy schedule. |
| Work and payment | They are payed by day, usually full time. | They usually charge an hourly rate. |
Venn Diagram: Nanny vs Babysitter
