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

(Written by Emily Thomas)

A popular question we get asked a lot is “what is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?” Although the job titles may seem alike, they are not identical nor are they interchangeable. Here are some key differences between nannies and babysitters and what makes Napp sitters stand out from the rest. 

Schedule and Benefits

Nannies are typically considered household employees, working full-time or part-time under a long-term contract with only one family at a time. Nannies typically work anywhere between 35 - 50 hours a week. Some families will even offer their full-time nanny work benefits such as paid sick leave, paid vacation, bonuses and raises. Nannies are also available to work as live-in or live-out childcare providers, as well as travel with the family for vacations or other travel needs. 

A babysitter, on the other hand, is someone who is used “as needed”. They are typically someone who temporarily cares for children and typically only works for shorter periods of time, depending on the family's needs and the sitter's availability. Babysitters also work with many different families at one time. Most babysitting jobs are considered part-time jobs that are paid by the hour and are either scheduled regularly (e.g., every day after school or every Saturday night) or here-and-there (events, date nights, etc.).

Responsibilities and Duties

Nanny’s duties usually include all things child related plus some household management responsibilities. Duties typically include creating daily schedules for the children, transportation to/from activities or school, preparing/cleaning up from meals, homework help, laundry and light housekeeping along with caring for the development of the children. They meet many of a child's needs, caring for children physically, socially, and emotionally. They become part of the family and play a more hands-on role in their part of raising the children. They are known to work closely with parents so that the household runs smoothly. 

Babysitter's responsibilities tend to revolve around providing safe care, entertaining the children and supervising play. Typical sitters are mostly used for a date night, events or other short term hours. It isn’t seen as part of their job to do any additional tasks within the household other than picking up after the children.

Education, Experience and Certifications

A full-time professional nanny typically has an advanced background in childcare. This can be a combination of many years of experience, a degree in early childhood education, or teaching certificate or training. They tend to have completed certifications regarding working with children with special needs, parenting styles and different age groups such as “newborn specialist” or “overnight care” as well as maintaining their CPR and First Aid Certifications. 

Babysitters are able to work more flexible, entry-level positions when it comes to childcare. Typically babysitters will begin their sitting careers as “mother’s helpers” watching neighborhood children or friends and family members' children. A babysitter is not necessarily expected to have a specific number of years of experience, a degree in education, early childhood or any other certifications. 

What makes Napp Sitters different from others?

Napp sitters are fully responsible for adhering to the Napp standards in order to protect, promote and maintain a “Five-Star Experience.” Whether you are booking for 2 hours or consistently booking for 20/week, Napp will always go the extra mile for their families. Our network consists of a large variety of sitters, ranging from career-style nannies, to experienced, more occasional sitters wanting some extra income and to spend some quality time with kiddos. They recognize that the effort goes a long way and makes a world of difference for parents returning to a happy and tidy home. Napp sitters are fun, engaging, and memorable! Families can always depend on Napp to provide exceptional high quality child care, clear communication and maintain professional relationships.

At Napp we pride ourselves on providing families the best of both worlds with nanny quality sitters at your fingertips.