Perhaps you have worked babysitting children and thought about a career in that field. Well, a nanny is more than just a babysitter. A babysitter might take their clients’ children into her home and care for them. The parents pick up their children at the end of the day, and pay the babysitter. However, a nanny is different. The nanny generally works in the client's home, and takes care of their children. Many nannies might live in the client's home and take care of the child's basic needs on a more permanent basis.
What is a Nanny?
A nanny is a person hired by parents to work in their home and take care of one child or several children. A nanny generally works for one family instead of several.
Duties
A nanny usually has a large list of duties that are performed on a daily basis. However, this depends heavily on the age of the children and their special needs. Typical duties might include the following:
- Preparing meals and snacks for the children who are under their care
- Changing diapers for infants and toddlers
- Giving younger children baths and keeping them tidy
- Driving children to and from school
- Driving children to appointments
- Organizing playtime or games
- Light housework
Training/Education
There is no general training or educational requirements for a nanny. Of course, the parents might have their own set of requirements. For example, some parents might prefer a nanny with some college education in early childhood studies. Others might prefer a nanny who speaks several languages or is bilingual. Parents usually prefer nannies with experience and at least a high school diploma. Certainly, a nanny should enjoy working with children, be kind, understanding, and very patient.
Typical Salary
The salary a nanny receives is based on several factors: experience, duties, and responsibilities, to name a few. In addition, some nannies work part-time, while others work on a full-time basis. Generally, the salary ranges from $9.38 to $14.19 per hour. Salaries vary widely.
