Nannies and Babysitters - An Ocean Apart!
Very often these terms are used loosely and seem interchangeable. Not true! A nanny is a professional and is always an adult and she works only for a single household. Babysitters, on the other hand, can be your neighbor’s school going teen, coming in for a few hours whenever you need to leave your kids behind at home. This is a good way for them to earn the extra bucks. Of course, there are also older adults who will babysit but this is always a temporary affair and they do not need to have any qualifications and you trust them to keep your kids happy and safe while you are away.
A Nanny is a Legitimate Job
A nanny is a career and like any other career comes with its own skill sets. Unlike in the case of a babysitter who can plonk the children in front of the television set and make sure they have eaten and put them to bed when it’s their bedtime. A nanny, does everything from planning educational activities, helping with homework, cooking nutritional meals, providing discipline when necessary to driving children to and from activities.
She is often certified in CPR and first aid and has skill sets to teach and supervise children with special needs. Since she is the most often with the child, she has a vital part to play in the growth and development of a child. Nannies go through interview procedures just as in any other job.
She earns a weekly/monthly salary and has taxes deducted from her pay check. She is entitled to 2 weeks of paid vacation. She could live in with the family or be a live-out nanny.
Nanny Skills and Qualifications
A nanny is an educated childcare professional and needs to have passed her high school equivalent as well as taken advanced courses in early childhood education. She needs to be certified in CPR and first-aid as well as trained in child nutrition. She should have a professional nanny certification. Since they are in your house and are unsupervised, it would be best to ensure they have had a background check included in the details they provide you.
Make sure references are provided if you are hiring a nanny. When it comes to a babysitter unless you know them personally, it would be best to talk to another family they have babysat for.
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