- Hire a nanny for regular, consistent at-home childcare. Nannies may work part- or full-time and are great resources for working parents.
- Hire a babysitter for occasional, shorter childcare shifts. Babysitters are cheaper than nannies and are good options for parents who need a day off or a night out without the kids.
- Expect a nanny to be more involved in your child’s development. A sitter’s primary duty is just to keep a child safe and entertained, not contribute to their development.
Difference Between Nannies and Sitters
Nannies provide regular childcare, while babysitters are hired as-needed. You might hire a sitter for at-home childcare when you need an occasional night out, whereas a nanny is a great resource for parents who work part- or full-time and need regular, scheduled at-home childcare. Nannies are usually hired by the hour, while sitters are often paid for a single shift. A parent who works part- or full-time may hire a nanny to stop by regularly to take care of their children. A parent may hire a babysitter only sporadically or for only a brief shift every week.
Nannies tend to be more involved with child development than sitters. Babysitters are generally hired to make sure the children are happy and safe while their parents are otherwise occupied. Nannies, however, may be expected to assist in the development and education of the children, as well as clean up after the children. The exact expectations for nannies and sitters depends on the needs of the parents, but generally, nannies carry a bit more responsibility than sitters.
Nannies are held to a higher standard than sitters. Because so comparatively little is expected of sitters, and because the turnover rate is relatively high, many parents hire sitters without vetting them or checking references. Alternatively, parents are more likely to vet a nanny before hiring them, and nannies may be expected to know CPR and have a background in childcare and child development. Parents may hire local teenagers to watch their children for an evening, and while they may hire the same sitter multiple times (if they can), families usually only hire one nanny.
Benefits of Hiring a Nanny over a Sitter
Nannies are often more trustworthy and responsible than sitters. Nannies are often held to higher standards than sitters, meaning they are more likely to be thoroughly vetted prior to employment. Nannies aren’t required to have specific qualifications, but many parents do background checks and ask that nannies be certified in CPR, have a good driving record, have a background in child development, etc. Many parents hire teens they know to babysit, but if you don’t know any potential sitters well, or if your regular trusted sitter isn't available to babysit, getting a sitter may come with a bit more risk than a vetted nanny. Sitters may not keep as close an eye on a child as a nanny, who is expected to interact with the kids on a more in-depth level than a sitter.
Nannies are more consistent and reliable. Because parents usually hire nannies to work part- or full-time, parents don’t have to worry about finding a new sitter whenever they need one or making sure their regular sitter is available. Many nannies’ duties include picking children up from school or appointments, and some nannies accompany families on vacations as well. Parents may struggle to find a sitter at the last second, but because nannies work scheduled shifts, they are always on-hand when they are expected to be.
Nannies offer children more stability than sitters. Children may become attached to sitters, but because sitters are less dedicated than nannies, children may have a tough time transitioning from one short-term sitter to another or when a regular sitter stops sitting. Nannies, however, offer children a stable, reliable presence. Some nannies even live with the families they work for and are effectively part of the family. Instead of a salary, they may receive free lodging and a regular stipend. Live-in nannies are more commonly referred to as au pairs.
Benefits of Hiring a Sitter over a Nanny
Babysitters are cheaper than nannies. The average nanny in the United States earns $19.14 an hour, while the average sitter earns $17.50 an hour. The price of each fluctuates depending on experience, the number of children being watched, and other factors—what's more, nannies are usually hired for longer and more regular shifts than sitters, so the cost really adds up. Sitters are great options for parents who just need a few hours of childcare for a date night or after the kids come home school, before the parents get home.
Sitters are less likely to butt heads with parents over parenting styles. Because sitters aren’t typically involved in raising the children, there’s less opportunity for conflicts over parenting styles than there are with nannies. A sitter's primary responsibility is to keep the child safe.
Parents don’t have to manage a sitter like they would a nanny. Because nannies are employees, there’s more involved in the hiring and management process: sick days, benefits, taxes, employment contracts—none of that is involved in hiring a babysitter for the occasional evening. It’s a much simpler process. While it’s not always possible to use the same sitter over again, parents can lessen the stress of instructing new sitters each time by writing out a childcare guide detailing the children’s diets, bedtimes, particular needs, etc.
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