The Difference Between a Nanny and Babysitter

In your search for an apt caretaker for your child, you must first know a few things about how certain babysitting job titles are defined. Although it may seem obvious and clear, there is still a good amount of variation in what exactly a nanny is versus what a babysitter is. It may all depend on who you ask. However, there is a general understood denotation of each title. Read on further to cease your confusion and to understand the distinctions between both.

Babysitter

"Babysitter" is often the term used for those who are called upon by an as-needed basis. When parents need to go out to dinner by themselves without the kids, they will call a babysitter to come over and take care of their children while they are gone for that brief amount of time. They provide basic care most during the weekends and during evening hours. For this reason, babysitting is often associated with young people who babysit to supplement their income while attending high school or college. This doesn't mean that they can't also be mothers and grandmothers who like children and are looking to simply earn a little extra money. The word "babysitter" can sometimes be used as an umbrella term to literally mean any one who is watching over a child(ren).

Nanny

Unlike babysitters, nannies are typically hired on as permanent help. They are experienced people usually from agencies whose sole line of work it is to provide child care. Because they consider it a career, nannies take their tasks rather seriously. They tend to physically reside in the household along with the family and take on extra duties such as doing the household chores and driving the children to school and afterschool activities. Some nannies will even prepare meals along with these other responsibilities. The nanny, moreso than the babysitter, will be found to have greater in-depth training with child-care education and qualifications. By these virtues, the nanny is the more expensive option and receives a set salary or hourly rate. Because they are considered employees of the household, they also get paid holidays and vacations.

Now that you understand the difference between these two job titles a little more, you will be able to discover exactly which person would best fit your family and be perfect for your employment requirements.