Nanny

A nanny is experienced in childcare and may or may not be qualified.

Qualified nannies are generally trained to provide care and educational development for children from birth to 7 years.

Nannies may be employed on a live-in or live-out basis, depending on the domestic circumstances and preferences of the family. A nanny is responsible for the safety and development of the child/ren in their care by providing a safe and loving environment for the children, and should plan activities that help stimulate the children’s learning and encourage development. The duties of a nanny, known as nursery duties, include doing the children’s laundry, maintaining the cleanliness of equipment, toys and rooms used by the children, and the preparation of the children’s meals.Nannies are not responsible for general housework or chores, although they should clear up after themselves and the children.

Nannies can be expected to drop off and collect children from schools or nurseries, organise and attend play dates,  and source group activities such as musical or gymnastic groups. Visits to the swimming pool and story time at the library can also be fun, and are the responsibility of the nanny –  anything to help promote the physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional and social development of the children.

Nanny Share

A Nanny Share usually comprises of two families, each with their own children employing the same nanny.

The nanny can be based in one house or alternate between the two, or two part-time parents could take it in turns to use the nanny on different days. It is important that both families have similar ideas on childcare and you both need to think about holidays, duties and the likely contingencies to ensure a smooth, trouble free working arrangement.

A Nannyshare arrangement can reduce the cost of employing a nanny but both families need to discuss tax implications.

Nanny/Housekeeper

Nanny/Housekeepers again can be live in or live out and are responsible for the day to day running of the household, cleaning, laundry, shopping, running errands and cooking, which can be for the Family as well as the Children. They are also involved in some childcare, and possibly doing school runs, help with homework, taking the children to activities and playdates. As the children are likely to be older, the childcare aspect of this role is generally only part time – before and/ or after school, and perhaps more hours with childcare, and less with housekeeping, during the school holidays.

Mothers’ / Fathers’ Helps – a second pair of hands for a busy parent!

This is a position generally filled by someone training or newly qualified with little or perhaps no previous experience of sole charge care of children in the home. It is a position that, for many, is a ‘stepping stone’ to become an experienced sole charge nanny. A mother’s / father’s help cannot be expected to take full responsibility or have sole charge of the children until they have gained more experience, and their duties are to assist with the day to day childcare and housekeeping duties.

Maternity Nurses

A Maternity Nurse can help provide a smooth introduction to new parents and their baby into family life. Their role is to help new mothers in all aspects of caring for the newborn, from breast feeding to establishing a feed / sleep routine, bathing and helping mum through those first very tiring weeks. They will advise on breast / bottle feeding and any problems arising from it, and teaching first time mothers how to bath the baby. Generally they will help Mum and Dad become comfortable around the baby, and providing support to them. Maternity nurses will deal with all the baby’s laundry, sterilise bottles, make up the feeds, and keep the babies area and equipment clean and tidy.

Maternity nurses usually live in and work up to 24 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, for anything up to 8 weeks at a time.

Babysitter

Qualified and/or experienced nannies, nursery nurses, teachers and child-minders, who will come to your home to look after your children normally in the evenings so that you can have a night out.

ANA recommends that all Nannies and child-carers have as a minimum requirement a current first aid certificate, an enhanced DBS certificate and are Ofsted registered if appropriate.