What’s the Difference Between a Babysitter and a Nanny?

We break down the different kinds of in-home care for kids. Hi {NAME}, You’ve figured out baby’s feeding schedule and have diapering down pat. But the world of childcare? It’s complicated. How much will I pay? What’s the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? What about an au pair? We’ve partnered with Care.com, the largest online marketplace for family care, to break through the confusion and give you a clear understanding of the different types of in-home care—from what nannies and babysitters do to how much they get paid. [Care.com Nanny or Babysitter: What's the Difference?]( What Does a Babysitter Do? Responsibilities: A babysitter’s main task: to watch children and keep them safe. Additional services might include transporting kids from school or to activities or putting them to bed. Some parents have babysitters help with light housecleaning, homework help or meal prep for a little more money. Hours: Babysitters typically watch children of any age for a few hours at a time. Their schedule may be regular, however—think after-school care or weekly date nights. Experience: Many parents prefer sitters with training in CPR and First Aid and are willing to pay more for them. Average pay: The national average rate for babysitters is $13.97 an hour. According to a Care.com survey of parents, one in three tip babysitters, typically for things like going beyond what was asked (folding laundry, etc.), watching multiple children or during the holidays. What Does a Nanny Do? Responsibilities: A nanny has a regular schedule and is considered a permanent employee of the family. Most importantly, a nanny is devoted to the growth, development and well being of a child. With the parents’ direction, a nanny is responsible for the child’s daily schedule, from naptime to feeding to play activities. Nannies may play an integral role in developmental milestones, like walking and potty training. Some families ask them to do housekeeping, cooking or laundry, as well. Hours: Nannies usually care for children full time, working 30-50 hours a week. Most nannies work with families at the infant and toddler stages, before kids go off to school. A part-time nanny may only work one or two days a week, or stay on with a family and provide after-school care when children get older. Nannies typically live at their own residences, though [au pairs]( live with the family they’re caring for. Experience: In addition to CPR and First-Aid training, many nannies have child development education and/or years of nannying experience. Average pay: Expect to pay nannies more than a babysitter. Because they are experienced and full-time caregivers, they usually earn a weekly salary based on an hourly rate. On average, full-time nannies caring for one or two children made about $565 a week. (Note: This rate varies widely depending on the nanny’s education and experience, as well the geographic region in which you live.) Full-time nannies have taxes taken from their paychecks (Care.com can help with this) and should get vacation, holiday and sick time. If you choose to hire a nanny, it’s a good idea to draft a [nanny contract]( for your family and nanny to sign. These clearly outline everything from responsibility expectations and transportation to work hours, compensation and any benefits you might offer. Once you’d decided if a nanny or babysitter is right for your family, Care.com can help you find a provider and negotiate things like [nanny taxes](. They’re offering 20% off their premium membership, which allows you to send unlimited messages to caregivers, read references and access background checks. Use the promo code BABYLIST20. [LEARN MORE]( Love and babies, Lisa and the BabyList Team [fb]( [tw]( [ig]( [pi]( Have questions or feedback? Just reply to this email. We LOVE to hear from our users. Too much email? [Unsubscribe](. [BabyList is made with love in Oakland. 825 Washington Street, Suite 237, Oakland, CA 94607]( BabyList's free site, apps, and emails are made possible by our sponsors. This is a sponsored email. We limit our sponsored emails to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.