Nanny vs babysitter: Who's the better fit for your family?

Nearly 60% of UK parents struggle to find reliable childcare, often caught in the dilemma of choosing between a nanny vs babysitter. The real challenge? Understanding the key differences between these roles and finding the perfect match for your family’s unique needs. 

In this guide, we’ll break it all down, helping you make an informed decision that gives you peace of mind and ensures your little ones get the best care possible.

What is a nanny? 

 A nurturing nanny guides children through coloring activities. (Source: iStock)

A nanny is a long-term childcare service professional who often works closely with the family and the child, focusing on the child’s development and well-being rather than just caring for them.

They often carry more responsibilities, as professional nannies have required training and certifications in areas such as nutrition, first aid, and even driving.

What is a babysitter? 

A nanny and child enjoying a playful baking session. (Source: iStock)

A babysitter is a short-term or temporary childcare service provider. Most often, babysitters are individuals who work part-time but have a passion and knowledge for childcare. 

Availing their services is typically more affordable and flexible. Most babysitters specialise in ad-hoc and flexible arrangements for watching over and caring for children.

Babysitter vs nanny: What are their key differences?

Child care can be quite a difficult task, especially for working parents. Thankfully, there are babysitters and nannies in your area who can take over caring for your child. 

Read on and learn more about a nanny and a babysitter and which of the two fits your child’s needs.

In terms of the schedule

Nannies are typically hired with full-time job arrangements in mind. These arrangements can start from the usual 40 work hours per week. However, plenty of nannies have live-in arrangements where they care for the child at all hours of the night and day.

Babysitters primarily do paid work with part-time hours or ad-hoc arrangements, usually just a few hours weekly. Most of the time, they’re hired in flexible settings, such as watching over a child for an hour or two while a parent does errands.

In terms of responsibilities

A nanny and child enjoying a playful baking session. (Source: iStock)

When caring for a child, nannies  may have multiple responsibilities, such as preparing meals, cleaning up after them, helping with schoolwork, setting up schedules, and driving them to appointments. 

Babysitters, on the other hand, often have fewer responsibilities owing to their shorter or ad-hoc arrangements. They focus more on watching over and caring for a child while the parent or guardian is away, with some responsibilities provided on an ‘as needed’ basis. They may also cover more responsibilities, which are typically discussed prior and with additional pay.

In terms of experience and qualifications

Babysitters are typically not required to have certifications, extensive experience, or qualifications. However, they have enough experience and skills to provide care for a child for the duration they’re hired. 

Meanwhile, being a nanny is a full-time profession. They have minimum requirements, such as education, training, and qualifications. They’re often required to register with a governing body, which regulates and watches over their career history. Typically, an experienced nanny has qualifications in basic child care, child development, first aid, food preparation, and nutrition.

In terms of the relationship with the child

A joyful nanny playing with a child, showcasing their close bond. (Source: iStock)

Nannies spend more time with the children they work with, developing deeper relationships with them. Plus, they often stay with a child for many years, sometimes up to adulthood, being an integral part of the family that employs them. This is in relation to their responsibilities, which include paying close attention to the child’s growth and development.

In contrast, babysitters usually have a more temporary relationship with a child. Their interactions tend to be limited to specific timeframes, which can hinder the development of a strong emotional connection. While babysitters may create enjoyable experiences during their time together, they often lack the regularity needed to build a deeper relationship. 

In terms of the level of child supervision and oversight

As mentioned earlier, nannies generally have more certifications and qualifications, including first aid. This gives them an edge over spotting child-centric dangers, such as choking. Similarly, their commitment to being a full-time childcare provider entails excellent communication skills both towards the child and to the parent or guardian.

On the other hand, babysitters usually offer temporary, flexible care. Their oversight is generally more limited, focusing primarily on ensuring the child’s safety and well-being during short periods, such as evenings or weekends. 

In terms of cost

A couple calculates  the costs of hiring a babysitter or nanny to care for their child. (Source: iStock)

Costs for babysitters are more free-form due to their part-time nature. In most cases, their price ranges from £10/hour up to £15/hour, with the upper limit usually from more experienced babysitters.

Nanny costs vary slightly depending on the type of nanny hired. Full-time nannies charge higher, starting at around £13/hour. For a 40-hour work week, that stands at £520. Meanwhile, the cost of hiring live-in nannies typically ranges between £400 to £600, excluding other costs such as lodging, food, and more. 

These numbers are ballpark estimates and may fluctuate or change with the seasons. Also important to note is that the UK government provides free childcare or tax-free childcare services for eligible families. 

Find trusted nannies and babysitters near you on Airtasker

Finding people you can trust to watch over your child during your busy day can be a real challenge. There are so many things to consider, like your child’s safety and if the person looking after them communicates with you appropriately.

Thankfully, on Airtasker, you can connect with professional nannies and babysitters who can help you feel at ease when taking on life’s rigours. Hop on, post a task today, and take the first step to finding the right person for your kid!