(The following information is compliments of Homework Solutions - Copyright © 1999-2007 Homework Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.) A nanny will have sole-charge responsibility for the children in her care with the parents absent from the home. A mother's helper will work under the close supervision of a stay-at-home parent, typically the mother.
- What is a Nanny? Primary Functions: The International Nanny Association defines a nanny as one "employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out basis to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to childcare and the domestic tasks related to childcare. May or may not have had any formal training, though often has a good deal of actual experience. Nanny's work week ranges from 40 to 60 hours per week. Usually works unsupervised." 4nannies.com notes that a nanny is more than a baby-sitter. The nanny job is the best paying childcare career - and for good reason! Nannies are expected to participate in the social, emotional, and intellectual development of their charges, and will work with the child(ren) on such areas a language development, potty training, social manners, homework, and more. Most families request that a nanny make a minimum commitment of one year to the job. This is to make sure that the children have continuity in their childcare. Candidates who do not feel that they can commit to a year might consider other types of childcare work until they are comfortable with the commitment. A nanny may work eight to ten hours per day, generally five days per week. A nanny will generally expect two consecutive days off weekly. A nanny may live in or live out. The nanny should have some previous verifiable child care experience or equivalent training/education. The nanny works under the minimal supervision of the family (adult members) and must be a self-starter, show sound judgment, be committed to the well-being of children, and be able to take initiative. Many candidates for nanny positions have held previous employment as CDAs (Child Development Associate) or CNAa (Certified Nurse Assistants). The CDA is a credential. It usually involves one year of preparation and assessment. Although the CDA is not a college degree, college courses often assist the applicant preparing for a CDA. The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition awards the CDA credential. A CNA, Certified Nurse Assistant, provides direct personal care for aged and impaired individuals who require assistance with the activities of daily living under the supervision of a nurse. Credentialing of the CNA varies from state to state and may or may not be regulated.
- What is a Mother's Helper? Primary Functions: Assists the stay at home parent with all aspects of childcare and light house work. A Mother's Helper is a fabulous position for the younger candidate not ready, either educationally, experientially or maturity, for sole-charge child care for long periods of time. A mother's helper provides an extra set of hands, helping the stay at home mom or dad meet their children's demands. Often works with families with multiples, and families who home school. This individual may live in or live out. May be left in sole charge for short periods of time.
- Secondary Functions: May assist with light housekeeping, run errands, light meal preparation, and any domestic chore that assists the parent.
- In the US market, the role of Mother's Helper is generally held by young women, aged 18 - 20, who plan to move into other childcare positions in the future. No special educational background, and often has babysitting experience.
Nanny vs. Babysitter? Babysitting is a term used for occasional evening and weekend care of newborn babies, infants, toddlers, preschool and school age children, and younger teenagers. Babysitters are people who enjoy spending time with children evenings and weekends, generally to supplement their other income. They come in all shapes and sizes, from older teenagers, to moms and grandparents looking to earn a bit extra, to trained and sometimes highly educated individuals whose work in a regular day job is in child care or education. Babysitting is usually seen as the occasional evening and weekend child care versus a permanent day time child care position filled by a Nanny. A babysitter looks after your children while you are out in the evenings or on weekends so that you can socialize, go out for a meal, visit friends or attend a meeting. Basically, a babysitter helps you keep or rediscover a social life and maybe your sanity too! A Nanny is an experienced, qualified, and sometimes educated permanent or temporary daytime caregiver who cares for different ages of children in the parents' own home. They perform all of the child care duties a parent would be doing: feeding, playing, bathing, cleaning in regard to the children, taking to activities, lessons, preschool etc. Occasionally the duties may include light housekeeping, shopping, laundry and meal preparation. A Nanny is someone who chooses working with children as their primary employment. They care for children during the working weekday. As a permanent or temporary daytime caregiver, a nanny is the more expensive option.
Good explanation for all three! I may link this to our blog.
Keli
http://www.thecarepost.com
Posted by: Nannies Babysitters | March 05, 2011 at 02:06 PM