Different Types of Nannies

When looking for a nanny, each family has different needs and each nanny fulfils a slightly different role.

Families have varied characteristics, such as the number of children, ages of the children, dietary restrictions, hobbies and activities, parenting styles and boundaries, as well as any special needs.

In all cases, quality childcare is always a top priority for both a family and a nanny because children must be in a safe environment at all times.

Below we describe some of the different types of nannies families hire to meet their requirements: 

Nanny

The nanny helps to develop the children’s potential through educational games, play and entertainment.

A nanny is someone who is fully invested in a child’s development and well-being. They are typically a daily fixture and are very involved in the children’s everyday lives.

It’s a nanny’s responsibility to create daily schedules and engage in activities to ensure the healthy mental, physical, and emotional growth of the children they care for.

A nanny will be responsible for a variety of tasks relating to the children, including but not limited to choosing the clothing, dressing, bathing and washing, preparing healthy and nutritious meals, scheduling play dates, organising age-related outings and general supervision at all times to ensure the children are safe.

The nanny also helps to develop the children’s potential through educational games, play and entertainment.

Rota Nanny

Rota nannies are usually required to work 24/7 when on duty on a rota system. For example, 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off.

Rota nannies might have different work hours depending on the family’s needs, but it is most likely to be 24/7 and the rota can extend between 1 week and 4 weeks. Rota nannies usually start after having previous experience as live-in nannies 

Live-In and a Live-Out Nanny

Being a live-in nanny does not mean working longer hours or days than the law allows.

Live-in nannies are those who live with the family in their home for part of the week or can live with the family full time.

Live-out nannies are those who commute to work each day and, after finishing their duties, return home each night. The family must provide a suitable room and usually full board to a live-in.

Being a live-in nanny does not mean working longer hours or days than the law allows. This is, sometimes, a misunderstanding.

Nanny-Guard

A nanny-guard is an individual with training and experience in security.

A nanny guard is a nanny with added security training and skill to protect a child from acts of harm that may be intentional or unintentional.

They undergo rigorous training and testing to be able to act in certain situations.

Nanny-Housekeeper

A nanny’s duties can include light housekeeping relating to children.

A nanny-housekeeper covers both housekeeping chores and nanny duties. The housekeeping chores are done whilst the children are in the nursery or school.

However, the most important aspect of this position is to ensure the children’s well-being and safety at all times.

A nanny-housekeeper usually works with school-aged children and can work live in or live out.

Whereas a nanny’s duties can include light housekeeping relating to children, a nanny-housekeeper goes beyond the mere children’s duties and does all the housekeeping chores. 

Holiday/Travelling Nanny

Some families tend to travel a lot and require an experienced full-time nanny to accompany them and carry out nanny tasks when travelling.

A travelling nanny is required to travel with the family, depending on the family’s needs. Some families tend to travel a lot and require an experienced full-time nanny to accompany them and carry out nanny tasks when travelling.

Parents may need to work, they may want some free time, or they may need some extra help, so they need the nanny to take over or lend an extra hand.

A travelling nanny usually works on a 24/6 or 24/7 schedule, and it is usually temporary. A travelling nanny can work either with the parents or sole charge. 

International Nanny

An international nanny has extensive experience working with different families in different countries.

An international nanny is experienced in living in and has the competencies and resources to relocate easily.

This nanny can work full time, live in or live out and, in other cases, on a rota. 

Maternity Nanny

Nanny helps the mum in introducing new milestones.

A maternity nanny tends to take over a maternity nurse. They are hired to continue helping with the habits and routines that were set by the previous maternity nurse.

They help the mum in introducing new milestones, such as weaning and sleep coaching. A maternity nanny has training and extensive experience working with young babies.

Nanny-Governess

This position entails covering all the nanny duties and implementing educational elements to help children thrive in academic matters.

A nanny-governess works as a nanny and a governess, this means that apart from the general duties and tasks a nanny has to carry out, they work with the child/children and family with an emphasis on education.

Whereas a nanny-governess covers more duties and a governess, this position entails covering all the nanny duties and implementing educational elements to help children thrive in academic matters.

A nanny-governess, as governesses do, has an educational background and the ability to teach. 

Nanny-PA (Personal Assistant)

A nanny-PA takes on additional duties to the general nanny tasks. This is usually done to support the parents or children when the nanny is not actively caring for the children.

PA’s duties usually revolve around the personal and social needs of the parents or children.

This position requires organisational, administrative and time-management skills, as you are caring for a child/children and managing the day-to-day aspects of the home.


International Nanny helps families identify the best childcare set-up for their family and works hard to find the best homes for the best nannies.

We have a broad range of profiles and strive to recruit professional and career nannies.

We are committed to raising the standards in domestic childcare and have a thorough application and recruitment process because we work with candidates who are vocational and see this profession as the career it truly is.

Besides the agency, and to better equip candidates with the interest and vocation to grow and develop as successful nannies, we also offer training and accredited courses through the International Nanny Institute

For more information, visit our website at https://www.international-nanny.com/ to find out about our open vacancies and more about International Nanny.

Feel free to visit our institute at https://www.international-nanny.institute/ to learn more about becoming a professional nanny.


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