Types of Specialty Nannies

We all know, that when it comes to choosing the right childcare, the process can be extensive.

When deciding a Nanny will be your source of childcare, know the options you have when considering the type of Nanny that will best suit your family's needs!

Newborn Care Specialists (NCS)/Nurse

A newborn care specialist is a nanny who typically has specialized training and always has extensive experience in newborn care or Nurse. Newborn care specialists often provide 24-hour child care for families with newborns during the first weeks of a child’s life. A newborn care specialist has received special training and preparation in caring for infants. They may live-in or outside of the family’s home. They work independently and is responsible for everything related to the care of the infant. Duties are generally restricted to care of the newborn and tasks related specifically to child care.

Postpartum Doula

A Postpartum doula is trained to understand the "after birth" period and what new babies and newly born mothers need. They help during the first months after the birth of the baby and can work either during the day or overnight, offering breastfeeding or bottle feeding support, and are well-versed in normal newborn behavior and appearance, and normal postpartum healing. Doulas can't diagnose medical issues or mental health issues, but they can point out things that don't seem normal to them so that parents can get an opinion from the appropriate professional.

So in this, a postpartum doula's support mainly focuses on education, problem-solving, and supporting parents emotionally to assist with the transitions of the postpartum period and having a new baby.

Live-in

A live-in Nanny normally offers more flexibility, although this does NOT imply 24-hour care or "on-call" 24 hrs. a day. A live-in nanny is offered room and board in the family home in addition to their salary.

It's best to start this relationship with a contract that clearly outlines Nanny's schedule, duties, and responsibilities.

Sleep Trainers 

A sleep trainer is a nanny who specializes in developing individual routines and systems for helping babies and children develop solid, healthy sleep habits.

Temporary Nannies

A temporary nanny accepts short-term employment. Temporary nannies may provide emergency care, sick care, or backup care. These assignments may last anywhere from a few hours to several months. Some temporary nannies travel with families to assist with child care.

Multiples Specialists

A multiples specialist is a nanny who has extensive experience caring for multiples and who works with families who have twins, triplets, or higher-order, multiples.

Governesses/Educator Nanny

A Governess/Educator Nanny is an educationally qualified individual employed by a family who prefers a unique and customized in-home educational plan for the family’s children.

A Governess functions as an educator and is not usually employed to perform domestic tasks or to meet the physical needs of the family’s children.

Responsibilities for an Educator Nanny will probably include:

• Play-based learning and creating educational activities

• Provide engaging projects at home and schedule/plan fun outings and events

• Knowledgeable about child development

• Support, teach and reinforce manners and other social skills

• Assist child with homework, school projects, studying for tests, etc., and keep parents informed of progress and needs

• Transport children to and from school, activities, play dates, camps, etc.

• Fresh and healthy meal planning and preparation for child

• Pack the child’s healthy lunches and bags for the following day

• ensure all school work is completed, pack gear for sports and activities, etc.

• Pack and unpack the child for trips/travel

• Inventory checklists for household items, food, child’s essentials, etc.

• Event planning for child’s themed birthday parties

• Run errands (e.g., shopping for home supplies, returns, purchasing school supplies for the beginning of the school year and needed throughout the year, purchasing gifts for birthday parties the child is attending, and other requested items)

• Handle day-to-day activities around the home (receiving deliveries, mail, etc.)

• Organizational projects (e.g., child’s bedroom, playroom (toys, crafts, etc.), closets, rotating clothes seasonally, getting rid of outgrown toys and clothing, taking things for donation, etc.)

• Assist domestic staff with projects when necessary (creating a collaborative/team environment)

• Manage child’s schedule and maintain calendar, register for activities/camps/etc

• Assistance with travel arrangements and ensuring all logistics are planned in advance

• Schedule meetings with the principal as needed to discuss their schedule, travel plans, upcoming events, special projects, etc.