What's the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?

Nannies vs. babysitters at a glance

Average pay rates for childcare vary widely by source, including Care.com, Sittercity, UrbanSitter, and Zip Recruiter. Geography has a lot to do with it. 

What's a nanny?

Nannies are professional caregivers for kids. Many work full-time, handling daily needs for the kids and household while parents work. Good ones might stay with a family (or families) for years. 

A nanny's role usually goes beyond just watching over your child. Many are like part of the family, significantly involved in a child’s growth, development, and well-being, from infants to teenagers. They might also have special training, such as education, child development, and safety.  

Common nanny responsibilities

• Infant care - Diaper changes, bottle feeding, baths, naps, and sleep training.

• Food preparation - From first solid foods to snacks and lunch. Some prepare dinner and family meals, too. 

• Activities and enrichment - Parks and playgrounds, reading books, taking walks, tummy time, playdates, arts and crafts, group classes, extracurricular activities.

• Transportation - Driving kids to and from school and extracurriculars; running occasional errands.

• Light housework - Tidying play areas and kids’ bedrooms, cleaning up after meals, and kids’ laundry.

• Homework help - Some nannies help ensure kids do their homework or assist with projects as needed, especially if they have teaching experience or certifications in childcare or child development.

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Different types of nannies

• Live-in nanny - Resides in the home full-time with the family.

• Live-out nanny - Works for set hours but live in their own home. 

• Night nanny - Handles bedtime and assists with nighttime diaper changes, feeding, wakeups, and sleep training.

• Newborn or maternity nanny - Focuses specifically on the needs of the mother and newborn care in the first few weeks. 

• Au pair - Not technically a nanny, but perform similar duties. Au pairs are international students or young adults who provide live-in childcare to a host family. They’re typically one-year programs in exchange for room, board, and a weekly stipend. 

Experience and qualifications

You don’t need a degree, license, or official training to be a nanny in the United States. So parents must rely on due diligence by vetting a nanny’s experience, references, and driving records or background checks if allowed in your state. 

In addition, you can look for relevant education, training, or specialized skills your family requires, such as: 

• Teaching or childhood development credits or classes

• CPR and First Aid certification

• Basic Life Support (BSL) certification

• Red Cross Advanced Caregiver Certification

• Certified Nanny Specialist / U.S. Nanny Association

• Certified Newborn and Infant Care Professional (NICP) 

• Special Needs Caregiver Certification 

• Inclusive Childcare or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) certification

Other things to consider:

• Vaccination status

• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and safe driving record

• Background check (if applicable in your state)

Nanny employment arrangements

It's common for families to have a long-term contract with a nanny that includes guaranteed regular hours. Specific terms can vary depending on each family and caregiver’s needs. 

Before you start interviewing seriously, decide how you will handle details like:  

• Contract or written agreement

• Payment method and schedule

• Sick pay and policy

• Vacation time

• Gas or mileage compensation

• Overtime or extra hours

• Taxes

• Healthcare or other insurance

What’s a babysitter?

Babysitters are typically short-term or occasional caregivers. You might call on one for date nights or to run errands for a few hours. Babysitters often work a few times a week or month, depending on your needs and how many families they help. Their primary focus is to provide temporary care in your absence and keep your kids safe, healthy, and secure.

Common babysitter responsibilities

• Supervise kids for short periods, usually a few hours

• Ensure safety

• Oversee child-friendly activities

• Maintain bedtime or nap routines

• Provide meals and snacks

• Basic cleanup

Related skills

• Driving and transportation - school pickups and drop-offs

• Tutoring and homework help

Experience and qualifications

Like nannying, babysitting doesn’t require formal training – but it certainly helps. Since most parents use babysitters for occasional needs, many don’t go as far as background checks or other experience needed for more extensive care. 

Whether you give a local teen their first gig or you find an experienced college student, look for these basics and nice-to-have skills:

• Past professional or babysitting experience, especially with your child’s age

• Trustworthy references 

• Reliable transportation

• Good communication skills and easy-to-reach by phone

• Related experience or coursework, such as camp counselor or tutor

When you’re ready, here’s how to find a great babysitter. 

Do babysitters need to be a certain age?

The minimum babysitting age requirement varies by state, but the U.S. federal minimum age is 13 for “casual” babysitting, which generally aligns with what many experts recommend. 

How much should I pay my babysitter?

Rates for babysitters and nannies tend to go up or down depending on the location. Babysitters cost less on average than nannies because their responsibilities are usually more limited and less frequent. But it ultimately depends on your local market and specific needs. 

Find out the going rate for your area: How much to pay babysitters by state.

5 tips to make the best choice between a nanny or babysitter

• Consider your budget - Can you afford to pay a full nanny salary for at least a year? Depending on the role, you might need to factor in wages, taxes, benefits, and paid time off. You’re entrusting them with your most precious cargo, so you want to be sure they’re invested and committed.  

• Set clear expectations - Do you just need basic coverage or do you need transportation, cooking, cleaning, or tutoring? If you only need a few hours a week, you can probably get away with a babysitter. But if you need consistent, dedicated childcare most days, you probably want a nanny. 

• Check qualifications - Ask for a resume, recommendations, and training background. You want someone reliable and trustworthy. You can even start with trusted family, friends, or neighborhood teenagers to babysit. For a full-time nanny, you may want to go the extra mile with a more formal process. 

• Be specific about schedules - Do you only need help during specific days and times or more flexible hours? Typically, nannies work on a set schedule. They may have outside obligations that prohibit frequent or last-minute changes. If you need more flexibility, babysitters may be more willing or able to accommodate for extra cash. 

• Pay attention to personality - Look for someone with a positive attitude and great communication skills who can (and will) connect with your child. Especially if you’re hiring a long-term nanny, you want to make sure they’re a good listener, consistently engaged with you and your child, and will support your family rules and values.  

Nanny vs. babysitter: What's best for your family?

When choosing between a nanny and a babysitter, it boils down to what your family needs. You probably want a nanny if you need full-time, consistent care — someone to help with developmental stages, activities, and school. But if you only need occasional help for a few hours, a babysitter is perhaps all you need.

Give yourself enough time to research, interview, and choose the person who best meets your family’s unique needs and dynamic.

Want more parenting wins? Visit the Greenlight Learning Center for fresh ideas about kids, family, and managing money together.

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.