What’s The Difference Between a Nanny and Au Pair?

Often families may struggle to realise whether they need a nanny or au pair to cover their childcare needs. While both can no doubt provide excellent care for children, there are a few major differences in terms of responsibilities, living arrangements, and employment terms.

Nannies

⭐️ Professional Caregivers: Nannies are professional caregivers who will often have formal training in childcare-related courses and significant previous experience. Most families expect nannies to hold at least an up-to-date first aid qualification and a DBS check on the national update service. Further qualifications may also make a candidate more desirable such as being OFSTED registered, degrees in children's education or BTEC or CACHE diplomas. Their professional background makes them well-equipped to handle a wide range of childcare scenarios with ease.

⭐️ Employment: Nannies are typically hired as employees, either full-time or part-time, and are paid an hourly wage. They are entitled to benefits such as national insurance & pension payments, maternity leave, bank holiday allowance and holiday and statutory sick pay. Some nannies may choose to be self-employed.

⭐️ Living Arrangements: Some nannies may choose to be live-in nannies and therefore have a lower monthly wage to offset this.  Alternatively, they may live out and commute to the family's home daily for work shifts. You can also find rota positions where you will live-in for 2 weeks at a time whilst on duty before having 2 weeks off where you will be expected to have your own accommodation.

⭐️ Responsibilities: Nannies generally take on a broad range of childcare responsibilities including play & organising educational activities, preparing children's meals, helping with homework, attending children's groups and classes and sometimes performing light nursery household duties related to the children such as laundry and tidying communal areas.

⭐️ Duration: Employment is usually long-term, with many nannies staying with a family for several years. Lots of families will desire a nanny able to provide continuous care for their children as they grow up. You can also find many temp positions for families that need childcare for a short period either at home or during holidays.

Au Pairs

⭐️ Cultural Exchange Participants: Au pairs are young individuals, often from another country, who come to live with a host family as part of a cultural exchange program. This can be a valuable experience for children, helping them develop foreign language skills and learn about different cultures. Au pairs typically range from 18 to 30 years old and perhaps will not have as much childcare experience or relevant qualifications as nannies do.

⭐️ Employment: Au pairs receive a weekly allowance rather than a salary and are not considered traditional employees. Their compensation is often lower than that of nannies because their primary purpose is cultural exchange rather than professional employment and they will work significantly fewer hours.

⭐️ Living Arrangements: Au pairs live with the host family as part of the arrangement, receiving a private room and food paid for in addition to their monthly allowance.

⭐️ Responsibilities: Au pairs help with childcare and light household chores, generally working a set number of hours per week (often around 20-30 hours). Au pairs are not typically expected to care for young infants alone and are more suited to toddlers and school-age children.

⭐️ Duration: The stay of an au pair is usually committed to one year, with the possibility of an extension if both parties agree. This shorter duration is ideal for families with school-aged children looking for temporary childcare solutions and cultural exchange opportunities.

In summary, nannies are professional caregivers hired for their childcare knowledge and experience and committed to their careers long-term. Whereas au pairs are young individuals participating in a cultural exchange program, who want to experience living in a different country whilst staying with the family and receiving an allowance for their childcare assistance. They may not continue working in childcare after their placement or they perhaps will decide to apply for nanny positions after gaining relevant experience and building confidence in their ability to provide the role.