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CHILDCARE OPTIONS FOR YOUR FAMILY
NANNY ▪ An individual (female or male) employed by a family in either a
live-in or live-out basis. The function of a nanny is to essentially be
responsible for all care of the children in the home in a largely unsupervised
setting. Duties are typically focused on childcare and any household chores
or tasks related to the children. A nanny may or may not have any formal
training; however, many have significant actual experience.
Permanent ▪ an agreed upon placement by the family and nanny for a
minimum of one year, but typically lasts longer
Temporary ▪ a short-term placement for a term less than 6 months
(traveling nannies would fall into this category)
Part-time ▪ generally placed for a few days a week or less than 30 hours
a week
Full-time ▪ typically working 40 or more hours a week, but not less than
35 hours per week
Nanny Share ▪ more than one family utilizing the same nanny in a given
week (typically a permanent position), splitting days and time as needed
between the families
BABY NURSE ▪ Also known as a Newborn Specialist. An experienced nanny
with training in newborn skills. She will get up for nighttime feedings while
the new mother gets her much needed rest. If the baby is breast feeding,
the nurse will get up with the new mother, help position the baby and carry
him back and forth. A Baby Nurse will do the baby's laundry every day and
help with light housekeeping and snacks. She will teach you to change
diapers, bathe and feed the baby, or she will do it all for you. She will hold
the baby throughout the day, providing security and affection when you
need a break. She will keep you company or disappear when you want to be
alone with your new family. Baby Nurses take a tremendous burden off of
new fathers who may not feel capable of providing the nurturing a new baby
and recovering wife needs. If a husband can't take time off from work, he
knows that he is not leaving his wife to fend for herself. Backgrounds include persons with nursing degrees, doula training or years of experience. Their main focus is the newborn.
CHILDCARE ▪ Often referred to as "Day Care"; this option allows parents
the opportunity for their child to be cared for in a social setting with other
children. Care is given outside of the child's home by licensed and educated
professionals. Programs offered by Childcare facilities range from New
Born through Preschool. Day Care tends to take a more formal structure,
with education, child development, discipline and even preschool falling into
the fold of services.
BABYSITTER ▪ Provides supervisory care of children typically on an
as-needed basis so parents can attend to personal and business matters. No
special training or background is required; however, the babysitter should
possess the ability to respond to a crisis situation, communicate effectively
with parents, and have basis first aid skills.
AU PAIR ▪ French term, which means "on par" or "equal to," denoting living
on an equal basis in a reciprocal, caring relationship between the host family
and the children. An au pair will typically be a young woman and sometimes a
young man from a foreign country who chooses to help look after the
children of a host family and provide light housekeeping. The au pair is given
room and board and is typically paid a weekly "pocket-money" salary. Au
pairs generally stay with their host family for one year.
