How it works with a nanny.

Just like a babysitter, a nanny comes to your home while you're out to take care of your little ones. You escape the drudgery of transporting your children to childcare professional's or a daycare. You save time and save yourself a lot of stress in your family.

This is a comforting form child care for young children as they are kept in their home and don't suffer separation from their siblings as may be the case with an alternate arrangement.

What's the role of a nanny?

The nanny acts a support to parents, not only does she accompany the child in all stages of development but can she also do some housework, at the request of her employer.

Typical duties of nannies:

• Assure the safety of the child in all circumstances,
• Take care of physical hygiene and dressing the child,
• Prepare meals and feed the child or assist as necessary,
• Respect the child's habits and needs (naps, playtime, etc),
• Participate in the psychomotor development of the child,
• Accompany the children to school or other activities,
• Help children with their homework,
• Do some housework (ironing, laundry and the child's room or play area..)

Remember though, the nanny's primary duty is to care for children; not to mop the floor or reorganize your linen closet. Often the term "light cleaning" is used or misused to describe the extra duties of the nanny as Urban Daddy describes on his blog.

Hiring a nanny, is it more expensive?

Although financial assistance for paying a nanny exist, it is often considered the most expensive method of care, especially if you have only one child.
But there is however a very good alternative to this: nanny sharing, the idea is pretty simple, join several families hiring a nanny, who will take care of the children from different families. The costs are thus shared between families. The final cost per child can be kept less than a home childcare provider or even a daycare!

Conditions to be a nanny

It is not mandatory to have a degree or certification to be a nanny, but it is still common for these professionals to be qualified and they often have some training. You can request that your nanny at least have completed her high school diploma or have taken some courses in ECE.

Live-in nanny

What are the requirements for a live-in nanny? For example, how much can you deduct for room and board? What are the living conditions you need to provide for her? Have no fear we break it all down for you.