There are a variety of terms for people who work in the home. These are the definitions used by the International Nanny Association to describe various in-home childcare positions.
Babysitter - Provides supervisory, custodial care of children on an irregular full-time or part-time basis. No special training or background expected.
Au Pair – Foreign national in the United States on a special (J-1) visa for up to a year to experience American life. Lives with a host family and receives a small stipend in exchange for babysitting and housework. May or may not have had previous childcare experience.
Mother’s Helper – Lives in or out and works for a family to provide childcare and domestic help for families in which one parent is home most of the time. May be left in charge of the children for brief periods of time. May or may not have had previous childcare experience.
Nanny – Employed by a family on 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 formal training, though often has a good deal of actual experience. Usually works unsupervised.
Nursery Nurse – Title used in Great Britain for a person who has received special training and preparation in caring for young children in or out of the home. When employed by the family, she may live-in or live-out. Works independently and is responsible for everything related to the children in her care. Duties are generally restricted to childcare and the domestic tasks related to childcare. Workweek is usually 50 to 60 hours per week. In addition to specialized training, the nursery nurse will also have successfully passed the national British certification examination of the National Nursery Examination Board.
Governess – Traditionally an educated qualified person employed by families for the full-time or part-time at home education of school age children. Functions as a teacher and is not usually concerned with domestic work or the physical care of younger children. Hours of work by agreement.
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