Sometimes parents just need a break because let’s face it, raising a tiny human all by yourself is a lot of hard work! Fortunately, there are various types of childcare professionals who can come to your rescue and provide you with some much-needed relief so you can spend time with your partner, get work done, or just relax.
This article explores the difference between a nanny and a babysitter so that you can choose the right kind of person to take the very best care of your little one.
What a Nanny Does
Nannies typically stay with children on a full-time basis and provide care for children all throughout the day. A full-time nanny will provide meals for children, plan activities, transport them to activities, and clean up after their messes.
Since nannies are trained childcare experts, they not only can provide basic care, but also help create complex learning and development strategies for your child. Therefore, it is very important to ask the right nanny interview questions to ensure that you are on the same page with how you will communicate with each other and how the children will be cared for and educated. Meanwhile, a live-in nanny can be available around the clock to meet parents’ needs and develop deep bonds with the children.
What a Babysitter Does
On the other hand, a babysitter usually works on more of an occasional and on-demand basis whenever parents have something come up and need someone to look after the children. Babysitters are more basic needs providers who are mostly responsible for feeding children, playing with them, and getting them to take naps and go to bed at night.
However, a babysitter who regularly looks after your children and who has a good educational background may also be able to help kids with homework and studying for school in the parents’ absence.
Differences Between Nannies and Babysitters
The decision to hire a nanny or a babysitter is a personal choice for each family depending on whether child care is needed on a consistent schedule, only infrequently, on a short-term basis, or as part of a long-term care plan. Nannies and babysitters work on different schedules because nannies are considered to be household staff members while babysitters are more like contract workers.
Most parents pay babysitters a fixed amount for how many hours they work or pay them on an hourly basis. Part-time nannies can be paid by the hour as well, but full-time nannies are often salaried employees with benefits.
Where to Find the Best Childcare for Your Family
Whether you’re looking for a full-time nanny, a live-in nanny, or a part-time babysitter, Pavillion Agency can help. We specialize in nanny and governess services that match families with caring professionals who will fit in perfectly with your family dynamic. If you’re not sure which type of professional will work best for your situation, we can help talk you through the details so you can make the right decision. Our childcare professionals work all across the U.S., and since we are the largest household staffing agency in the country, you will have access to more high-quality childcare options with us than anywhere else.
Fill out our family application to tell us more about what you’re looking for!
