Nanny vs Babysitter:
If you want to take care of children, consider working as a nanny or babysitter. Babysitters work for short periods of time and perform the basic tasks of keeping children safe, feeding and bathing them while their guardians are away.
For more demanding tasks, long-term work, and higher pay, a nanny role may be the best option. In this article, we will look at the key differences between babysitters and nannies to help you decide which is right for you.
What is a babysitter?
A babysitter is a person who provides temporary care for a parent or guardian’s children for a specified period, usually a few hours on weekdays, weekends, or evenings. They usually take care of children of all ages as needed, often when their caregivers are working, running errands, or attending events.
Babysitters are generally responsible for keeping children entertained and keeping them safe. Most babysitters plan activities for the kids to play, prepare meals, and perform bedtime rituals.
Other general babysitting duties may include:
- Preparing meals for children and feeding babies or toddlers who need help
- Bathing babies and toddlers and changing their diapers
- Doing light cleaning to tidy up the house after eating, bathing or playing with children
- Responding to emergencies by contacting the necessary parties and staying calm during the situation
- Following children’s routines and schedules as directed by their parents or guardians
- Constant monitoring of children to ensure they are safe and healthy
- Performing light household chores such as sweeping, wiping countertops, and cleaning dishes
- Preparing fun activities or games to play with children
What is a nanny?
A nanny is a childcare professional who usually works as a regular job as they offer parents full-time childcare for months or years. They are often responsible for the safety and health of children and contribute to the development of their mental and physical health.
A nanny usually works full time, depending on the family they work for, and performs a wide range of duties. They can transport children to and from events, clubs, practice or play meetings. Many nannies perform various tasks at home, such as cooking, cleaning the house, and helping children with homework.
Other key babysitting responsibilities typically include:
- Creating a fun, healthy, and safe environment for children always
- Transportation of children to and from school, sports games, game meetings, and other activities
- Doing basic household chores, including laundry, cooking homemade meals, and vacuuming the house.
- Running errands on behalf of caregivers, including grocery shopping and doctor visits
- Watering plants, feeding pets, and walking dogs
- Changing diapers and bottle-feeding babies
- Help children with homework
- Accompanying the family on trips or on vacation for full-time childcare
Babysitter vs Nanny
While both involve looking after and keeping children safe, the two roles differ in many ways when it comes to paying, schedules, and responsibilities. The main differences between babysitters and nannies include:
Salary
The average salary for a babysitter in South Africa is R 180 000 per year or R 92.31 per hour, according to ZA.TALENT. Most babysitting jobs are full-time and hourly, which means they can work full-time and have long-term contracts. Some babysitters may also receive benefits and leave, as well as receive tax deductions from their pay if they work year-round for families.
The average salary for a nanny in South Africa is R 90 000 per year or R45 per hour, according to ZA.TALENT. Because nannies usually work on an as-needed basis and are paid by the hour, the amount they receive can vary depending on how often they work, their work experience, and the complexity of the tasks they perform while looking after children.
Qualification
Since babysitters spend most of their time improving the mental and physical well-being of children, most employers prefer that they have extensive knowledge, skills, and experience in childcare.
A degree in child development is an impressive qualification that some employers may be looking for in ideal candidates.
Many employers require babysitters to have several years of babysitting or childcare experience in order to better understand how to care for children of all ages. Employers also typically require babysitters to be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in order to professionally respond to emergencies.
Most employers rarely require nannies to have a specific education, as many candidates are high school or college students. A specialization in childcare or experience working with children can make a nanny’s resume stand out from others.
It is preferable for a nanny to complete a nanny training course and become certified in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Responsibilities
Babysitting duties can usually be more complex than nanny duties. Nannies often spend more time with children, so they can take on more important responsibilities that affect children’s growth and development.
This includes helping with homework, going to clubs or developmental classes, or participating in developmental activities and games. They can also do tasks for parents, such as running errands, cleaning the house, or escorting children to and from school.
Babysitters usually take over the basic duties, such as cleaning up after dinner, getting the kids ready for bed, and preparing simple meals. Their main duties are usually to ensure the safety and care of children during the brief absence of their parents.
Schedule
Most nannies work full-time on a fixed schedule, as they usually spend the day taking care of the children while the guardians are at work. They may have a traditional full-time job from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Others may work 40 hours a week at non-traditional times, depending on the caregiver’s work schedule.
There are also some parents who require a nanny for full-time care of their children, so they can hire a live-in nanny who lives in a furnished room and looks after the children when needed.
Babysitters usually work a few hours a week, as caregivers can hire them to babysit when needed. They may be paid as soon as they take care of the children, and rarely follow a set pay or work schedule.
