Sitter vs. Nanny

[Anonymous]

What is the difference between a sitter and a nanny? Intereseted in learning about their job role, salary/hour, hours of work, etc...

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

It's different to everyone. In general, a nanny has more job related knowledge, is more experienced, and costs 20-30/hr. A sitter is usually closer to 15/hr.

[Anonymous]

I would consider someone a sitter if they don't have a set schedule, or have any duties or expectations beyond returning the children in the same manner in which they were received. A nanny has regular hours, is expected to entertain and enrich the time they spend with children, using their knowledge and experience, and is also responsible for more than just the child's basic needs. She does the child's laundry, tidies or teaches the child to tidy his room, preps his meals, and plans educational/beneficial activities and outings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would consider someone a sitter if they don't have a set schedule, or have any duties or expectations beyond returning the children in the same manner in which they were received. A nanny has regular hours, is expected to entertain and enrich the time they spend with children, using their knowledge and experience, and is also responsible for more than just the child's basic needs. She does the child's laundry, tidies or teaches the child to tidy his room, preps his meals, and plans educational/beneficial activities and outings.

+1

PP is crazy talk re wages. Many good nannies are paid well below $20-30/hr, please don't insult them by calling them sitters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would consider someone a sitter if they don't have a set schedule, or have any duties or expectations beyond returning the children in the same manner in which they were received. A nanny has regular hours, is expected to entertain and enrich the time they spend with children, using their knowledge and experience, and is also responsible for more than just the child's basic needs. She does the child's laundry, tidies or teaches the child to tidy his room, preps his meals, and plans educational/beneficial activities and outings.

+1

PP is crazy talk re wages. Many good nannies are paid well below $20-30/hr, please don't insult them by calling them sitters.

So some sitters earn more than some nannies? It depends who you ask....

[nannydebsays]

A sitter generally does custodial care. Makes sure the kids are safe, fed, and entertained.

A nanny does all that and more - she works to provide an environment that is intellectually, emotionally, and physically stimulating, and she often has a child development related degree and/or experience.

A sitter does as she is directed to do by the parents, without offering ideas/suggestions/advice.

A nanny does as she is directed to do, but she also expects to give advice, offer ideas, help parents resolve issues, and take initiative.

[Anonymous]

Yikes, I'm a highly paid nanny who does whatever I think is the best thing for the child. Parents who want me, tell me they specifically depend on me for that reason. They often discuss what their doing, and ask if that's the best thing.
Does that mean I am not a nanny, in your opinion?

[Anonymous]

Oops, should be *they're*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would consider someone a sitter if they don't have a set schedule, or have any duties or expectations beyond returning the children in the same manner in which they were received. A nanny has regular hours, is expected to entertain and enrich the time they spend with children, using their knowledge and experience, and is also responsible for more than just the child's basic needs. She does the child's laundry, tidies or teaches the child to tidy his room, preps his meals, and plans educational/beneficial activities and outings.

Agreed. There is usually little difference between the two positions in terms of compensation. Some sitters get $12 per hour, some get $15 or more. Some nannies get $12 per hour, some get $15 or more. Use of the terms is not regulated, so the good and the bad ones are all free to call themselves what they want. To me, the difference is the regularity of the schedule and the scope of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes, I'm a highly paid nanny who does whatever I think is the best thing for the child. Parents who want me, tell me they specifically depend on me for that reason. They often discuss what their doing, and ask if that's the best thing.
Does that mean I am not a nanny, in your opinion?

You've described yourself exactly as NannyDeb did - someone who does what the parents want while offering advice, ideas, etc. I don't see any way in which you could logically argue that her definition is invalid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would consider someone a sitter if they don't have a set schedule, or have any duties or expectations beyond returning the children in the same manner in which they were received. A nanny has regular hours, is expected to entertain and enrich the time they spend with children, using their knowledge and experience, and is also responsible for more than just the child's basic needs. She does the child's laundry, tidies or teaches the child to tidy his room, preps his meals, and plans educational/beneficial activities and outings.

+1

PP is crazy talk re wages. Many good nannies are paid well below $20-30/hr, please don't insult them by calling them sitters.

So some sitters earn more than some nannies? It depends who you ask....

Yes, some sitters earn more than some nannies. That's just a fact, doesn't depend on who you ask.

[Anonymous]

Everyone doesn't even agree on what a nanny is. Some think she has a defined scope of work, while others think a nanny is a person who does whatever you need her to do around the house.

[Anonymous]

nannydebsays wrote:A sitter generally does custodial care. Makes sure the kids are safe, fed, and entertained.

A nanny does all that and more - she works to provide an environment that is intellectually, emotionally, and physically stimulating, and she often has a child development related degree and/or experience.

A sitter does as she is directed to do by the parents, without offering ideas/suggestions/advice.

A nanny does as she is directed to do, but she also expects to give advice, offer ideas, help parents resolve issues, and take initiative.

This is silly. A good sitter also offers advice and ideas, helps parents resolve issues, takes initiative, and works to provide an environment that is intellectually, emotionally, and physically stimulating for the kids. I've also found that more sitters than nannies have a degree in child development. Many sitters are twenty-something women who work full time as teachers or in other child-related professions and babysit at night, on weekends, or during the summer to earn extra cash.

The biggest difference between a nanny and a sitter relates to duties that go beyond direct interaction with the kids. Since a sitter typically works on an occasional or very part time basis, she is generally less integrated into household operations and, thus, is expected to do less than a nanny in terms of wrap-around care like children's laundry, cleaning and organizing toys and gear, meal planning and cooking for the kids from scratch (though most sitters do reheat meals or prepare simple things like spaghetti as directed by parents). Most sitters are expected to read or watch tv while the kids sleep, whereas most nannies are expected to perform other child-related tasks, such as those listed above, at that time.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I read pediatric medical journals when child naps. I do the other stuff before hand. MB is a MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here. I read pediatric medical journals when child naps. I do the other stuff before hand. MB is a MD.

Not sure of your point, but this puts you squarely in Nanny Deb's "custodial care" zone. Good nannies and sitters go out of their way to engage the kids in new ways, even if they are old enough to entertain themselves. Particularly if the kids are very young, most MBs would be ticked to learn that you are regularly doing chores instead of interacting with the kids while they are awake, all so you can have a few hours a day to read medical journals.