The first step in finding a suitable nanny is for parents to decide how much and what kind of assistance they require. After determining the hours expected from a nanny and identifying specific skills needed, it is easy for parents to judge which type of nanny matches best with their unique needs.
Au Pairs
An Au Pair is a child care specialist from abroad who performs child care related and domestic duties in exchange for room and board for up to a year. She may also receive a small stipend in addition to her duties.
Full Time Nannies
Full time nannies work anywhere from 40-60 hours per week and typically act as surrogate parents while the parents are away. They may live in or out of the family's home and handle all of the children’s daily activities. This includes, but is not limited to, attending to children’s routines, medications, and schedules; meal preparations; transporting to and from activities and obligations; and promoting an overall healthy emotional, physical, and mental balance. Some full time nannies receive benefits and paid sick and vacation days.
Part Time Nannies
Part time nannies do many of the same things full time nannies do, but work fewer hours. A typical work week ranges from 15-35 hours per week. Often times, the nanny will supervise the children while the parents are in close proximity. It is unusual for a part time nanny to receive benefits or a salaried position.
Newborn Nannies
A newborn nanny specializes in the care of extremely young infants. The nanny may start as soon as the child is born, or even before, to help with the birthing preparations. Many newborn nannies are also referred to as “overnight nannies” because they often come later in the day and care for the child overnight so the parents can get some well deserved shut-eye.
Postpartum Doulas
A postpartum doula is there to help a new parent adjust to parenthood by offering support, guidance, and assistance in any way necessary. In addition to helping with child related tasks, they may also perform domestic tasks in order to allow the parents to spend as much time with their child as possible.
Mother’s Helpers
A mother’s helper is someone who serves as a parent's “right-hand man”. They are there to assist the parents with any child related duty where help is needed. Mother’s helpers can work full or part time hours and live in or out depending on a family’s needs. Though usually working with a parent to care for the children, mother’s helpers occasionally work unsupervised with the children.
Hotel Nannies
Hotel nannies usually assist out of town guests with childcare by supervising the children at the hotel for a small amount of time.
Before/After School Nannies
These nannies help get the kids off to school in the morning and make sure that they are taken care of after school until a parent arrives. They may or may not have transporting responsibilities.
Sick or Emergency Nannies
These nannies are available on a moment’s notice to fill in for a parent or to help care for a sick child. Sick and emergency nannies usually are paid higher for their flexibility.
Mommy Nannies
A mommy nanny is a child care provider who has a child of her own that she brings to work with her. Hiring a mommy nanny is an excellent way to socialize your child without having to leave the house. Mommy nannies are typically paid less than regular nannies due to the convenience for them.
Governess
Governesses are hired to home-school children on a full or part time basis and serve as their primary teacher. Generally, they have degrees, and are only there to act as teacher and therefore do not participate in domestic or child care responsibilities.
Shared Nannies
Some nannies like the versatility and flexibility of working with more than one family so they allow two families to “share” their services.
Summer/Vacation Nannies
As the name implies, summer nannies work during the summer months beginning as early as May and ending around September. Many double as vacation nannies and join the family to aid in a peaceful and stress-free vacation.
Deciding to hire a nanny can be a very rewarding experience. Whether hiring for full-time, part-time, short-term or long, there is a specialized nanny for every family's unique situation.
