There’s more than just one type of Nanny out there! There are a number of different types of professional caregivers, each with their own title and unique set of skills and areas of expertise. When you’re looking to hire a Nanny, it’s important to know the difference between the different types of caregivers, so that you can tell the agency exactly what you’re looking for. Below, we’ve provided a list of some of the different types of professional caregivers, along with a brief description of what each position entails.
Traditional Nanny
- The main childcare provider in the home.
- In charge of the children’s overall health and well-being.
- Responsible for preparing children’s meals, tidying up their bedrooms, etc.
- Actively engages the children daily in both indoor and outdoor play.
- May drive children to/from school and activities, as required.
Nanny/House Manager
- Performs the same duties as a traditional Nanny, plus:
- Administrative duties, such as paying household bills.
- Supervising other household staff, if applicable.
- Running errands.
- Grocery shopping.
- Doing laundry.
Education Support Nanny
- Has a teaching or education background.
- Performs the same duties as a traditional Nanny, plus:
- Assists with homework and project completion in physical and/or online form.
- In charge of managing the technology for children’s online learning (e.g., websites, passwords, schedules, deadlines, etc.), if applicable.
- Liaises with the children’s teachers regarding homework assignments, projects, tests, etc.
Nanny Educator/Tutor
- Has specific teaching credentials (B. Ed or M. Ed.) and classroom teaching experience.
- Hired for the specific purpose of teaching the family’s children in the home.
- Develops the curriculum and teaching plans for the school year in accordance with local education standards.
- Purchases all required support materials to support teaching and children’s learning.
- Responsible for all teaching, evaluating, and progress reporting.
- Assists with homework and project completion in physical and/or online form.
- In charge of managing the technology for children’s online learning (e.g., websites, passwords, schedules, deadlines, etc.), if applicable.
Travelling Nanny
- Hired on a short-term basis, specifically to travel or go on vacation with a family, or
- Hired as a traditional Nanny for a family who travels regularly.
- Engages with and cares for the children from morning to evening.
- Organizes personalized activities for the children, depending on the location and according to the parents’ requirements.
- Needs to be an experienced traveller, so as to anticipate the children’s needs and plan accordingly in advance.
Newborn Care Specialist
- Highly specialized and trained to focus on the care and well-being of newborn infants.
- Generally works independently with minimal guidance from parents.
- Helps establish good feeding and sleeping habits in newborns.
- Familiar with behaviours, appearance, and general care of newborns.
- Understand and recognize signs of possible food allergies, intolerances, and reflux in newborns, and know ways to help.
- Understand the value of and can support a breastfeeding parent.
- Have an understanding of Postpartum Mood Disorders, can recognize them, and confidently address them as they arise.
Night Nanny
- Provides all aspects of infant care during the night.
- Bottle-feeding and nursing help, as well as burping.
- Helps with bathing the infant and changing diapers.
- Helps establish good feeding and sleeping habits in infants.
- Any other infant care-related duties, as needed.
Labour Doula
- Has specific training and certification in supporting the parents through the labour and delivery process.
- Doulas give parents support, but do not provide medical care or deliver the baby.
- Focus is on the family, not necessarily the newborn.
Postpartum Doula
- Helps provide support to the family in the first few weeks following the birth.
- Provides education, baby care, birth parent care, and household assistance.
- Focus is on supporting the family, not necessarily the newborn.