In this technology-driven world, almost every facility and service under the sun is available at the click of a mouse. But one needs to be sure of the necessity itself. Nanny and babysitter may seem like synonymous terms, but a close look will reveal that there is a significant difference in their meanings and the services they provide. The term ‘babysitting’ also transforms into various avatars depending on the babysitting services you would like to have in your package.
Baby sister:
Nannies generally cater to short-term requirements; maybe for a few hours. Often the first option is to turn to family and close relatives to take on interim responsibility for child rearing, especially if the need arises because of a special occasion.
But, for parents who are reluctant to impose themselves on the family or when the requirement is for reduced hours, it is more regular, there is no choice but to seek childcare arrangements.
Babysitters will provide services on an occasional basis: date night, anniversary, etc. or on a regular basis – after school hours, weekends, etc. Nanny responsibilities are usually limited to basic child care: watching them play, monitoring TV shows, supervising Internet use, feeding the children and, if necessary, putting them to bed.
Babysitters are usually paid by the hour. Many nannies are not averse to providing additional services such as watering the garden, cooking, teaching the children, or doing light housekeeping, as long as they are reasonably compensated and informed in advance.
Nanny care:
A nanny is usually professionally qualified in child care development or has years of experience in the child care field. Nannies are fully involved in the care of the children in their care and often become part of the family that employs them.
The spectrum of services a nanny provides would include full childcare, cooking and serving meals, helping with housework – washing dishes, laundry, etc. tutor the kids, help with shopping, drive the kids to school, practice basketball, etc.
A full-time nanny would create a daily schedule detailing the tasks to be done at the end of the day. Babysitting is only a part, although the largest part, of babysitting services.
The primary goal of nanny care is the children’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. When the nanny arrives in the morning and leaves for her own residence at night, she is known as the nanny that she lives off of her. But there are nannies who stay with the family that hires their services, called live-in nannies or au pairs.
Among:
Occasionally, you may feel the need for a babysitter who is better equipped than the average babysitter to care for your children, even if it’s just for a few hours. Perhaps the child is too young or a little hyperactive and is not convinced that a babysitter is up to the task.
You really need someone who is better qualified, more experienced and mature enough compared to any typical babysitter. You can hire a part-time babysitter as long as the requirement is for at least a few days each week. As well as providing nannies and babysitting services, they will be in a position to give you the right advice on nannies and how you will benefit from the range of services available in the market.