What's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?

Nannies and babysitters are both invaluable to parents in need of reliable childcare. But what's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? Let's take a look! 

  1. What is a nanny?

  2. What is a babysitter?

  3. What's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?

1) What is a nanny?

A nanny is a childcare professional who looks after children in their own home on a part or full-time basis. The working hours of a nanny are normally arranged to provide childcare while the parents are at work, although some nannies are also employed to assist the parents when they are at home. Nannies are employed as household staff on a long-term contract. 

The exact role of a nanny will depend on the terms of their employment contract. At the bare minimum, a nanny will be expected to care for the children and ensure their needs are met. Some nannies also carry out simple household chores, mainly related to cleaning up after the children. However, a nanny is not a housekeeper or cleaner and will spend most of their time caring for the children.

In addition, nannies often play a large role in the day-to-day activities of the, taking them to social engagements and child-friendly attractions. Whether full or part-time, a nanny will plan activities for the children both in and out of the home, ensuring that their time is spent learning and developing social skills as well as having fun. 

2) What is a babysitter?

A babysitter looks after children as and when required, normally to fill in gaps in the regular childcare schedule. For example, a babysitter may be required to care for children after school until the parents finish work, or during the evening if the parents need to attend a social function. Babysitters do not normally transport the children from place to place and would not be expected to escort the children to activities outside the family home. 

Because of the different nature of their roles, many parents who hire a nanny will also occasionally need the services of a babysitter. Nannies, even those who work full-time and live in the family home, are entitled to time off and should not be expected to provide childcare 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  As such, it is a good idea to connect with one or two recommended babysitters in your local area. 

3) What's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? 

The terms 'nanny' and 'babysitter' are often used interchangeably, as their roles overlap in many ways. However, parents should be aware of the key differences between nannies and babysitters when deciding who best meets their childcare needs. 

In general, babysitters are hired on an ad hoc basis to care for children in their own homes. A babysitter may have arrangements with several families, carrying out just a few hours of childcare for each. In contrast, a nanny is employed by a single family, or two families if a nanny share agreement is in place. 

The primary role of a babysitter is to keep the children safe and happy when their parents are absent. An after-school babysitter will normally spend time playing with the children, either in their own home or at a local park. When babysitters are hired for the evening, they give the children their evening meal and put them to bed.

In contrast, the role of a nanny, particularly one engaged through a high-caliber agency such as Sommet Nannies, is more than just a childcare provider.  

An experienced nanny will nurture the physical and emotional well-being of children under their care, ensuring they reach developmental milestones that will prepare them for success in the future. Because a nanny often spends many hours with the children under their care, they often develop meaningful lifelong relationships with the families they work for. 

Nannies play a huge role in the educational development of children, assisting with school work and encouraging learning through play. An experienced nanny can also help parents deal with challenging behavior and other issues.

If you're finding that regular babysitters are not quite meeting your childcare needs, it may be time to consider whether a full-time nanny will benefit your family life. Hiring a nanny is often more cost-effective than many people realize and can greatly ease the pressures for parents struggling to balance career aspirations and a fulfilling family life.

Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.