16 Surprising Facts About Nannies

Checking out the nanny scene? You've come to the right place. Wondering what the nanny career path entails? Whether or not hiring a nanny is within your budget? We've got you! We've gone ahead and created this post filled with fun facts about nannies to help you beef up on your nanny factoids. 

#1. Nannies Have Been Working for Centuries

Throughout history, people have been relying on the help and care that nannies provide. Early on, nannies, which were known as nurses, were typically servants in large households. 

Nannies often stayed with families for years, even helping to raise generations. Today, nannies may live in or out of the family home and are more integrated into the family structure!

#2. What’s in a Name?

 The origins of the name “nanny” are a bit questionable. Some scholars connect “nanny” to the Greek root Nanna— meaning aunt, the Welsh word for grandmother “nain,” and the Russian word nyána, meaning nursemaid. In Colonial India, a nanny was known as “ayah.” In Chinese, she was an “amah,” and many families in the Dutch West Indies called their nanny “baboe.”

#3. What Do Nannies Do?

Primarily, nannies are superhumans who have dedicated their careers to raising children. Nannies provide support to parents in need of childcare, working to keep kids entertained, and intellectually stimulated. In many cases, nannies are able to do even more than care for children, acting as a household manager.

#4. What are Nannies Paid?

The salary of a nanny can vary quite a bit based on location, responsibilities, hours, and living arrangements. As a baseline, nannies must be paid minimum wage according to the laws set in the state they work in. The median wage of a full-time nanny is $19/hour, but many can make much more than that pending the workload, their areas of specialty, etc...

#5. The Benefits of a Nanny

The benefits of a nanny include consistent childcare for your little ones and some relief and peace of mind for busy parents to know their kids are always under the supervision of someone they know and trust. Nannies provide love, nurturing, fun, and all-around foster a dynamic that is conducive to child development and growth.

#6. Who ends up being a Nanny?

Generally, the majority of the nanny population consists of women between the ages of 20-60. We often see people who are studying/coming from the healthcare, or education specialties gravitate toward this career.  A small part of the profession consists of men, but while this is much more uncommon, we're seeing the number of men pursuing childcare positions on the rise. 

#7. Mary Poppins Left a Nannying Legacy

Who wouldn’t want their children to be cared for by a nanny as lovely as Mary Poppins? Or at least convince their kiddos to take their medicine with a “spoonful of sugar!” Mary Poppins and her magical nannying tales have been watched by millions of families worldwide. Mary Poppins is perhaps the most well-known and beloved fictional nanny and has without a doubt inspired many others to consider a career caring for children.

#8. But Don’t Forget Fran! 

Fran Drescher is another nanny who stole hearts around the world. She was the star of the 90’s sitcom “The Nanny,” where she played nanny to a wealthy and handsome single dad, Maxwell. Like all great nannies, Fran took great care of the family, entertained them, and imparted wisdom on the kids she cared for (and their dad!) in every episode, and left a lasting impact on the Sheffield family.

#9. Seven out of ten nannies work full time

 One of the main differences between nannies and babysitters is that most nannies work full-time, while babysitters may work for a family a few hours a week. A nannying job is a full-time career and should be treated as one. Nannies work hard to deserve their titles.

#10. One in 10 nannies live with the family they care for

 Another significant difference between a nanny and a babysitter is that nannies often live with the families they care for, making them an integral part of the family dynamic. Given childcare is so hands-on, living with the family is considered common practice, and often highly beneficial to both the nanny, and family. 

#11. Nannies Do Much More than Childcare

 In addition to caring for the children, nannies also do the school run, help with homework, shop for groceries, prepare meals, put toys away, and so on. Nannies often love and care for the children as if they are own and can form lasting bonds with the entire family.

#12. The Nanny Career Outlook is Good

The outlook for nanny jobs in the United States is good. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts nanny employment will grow about as fast as the average for all jobs between 2016 and 2026— a 7% growth in new nanny jobs.

#13. Hiring a Nanny is Not Just for the Wealthy

Think you have to make seven figures to afford a nanny? Think again. Hiring a nanny can actually be a pretty affordable option. Traditional childcare centers typically just have one pay option no matter if you need full-time or part-time childcare. This means if you don’t need full-time care, you’re likely wasting your money at a childcare center with a monthly fee. With a nanny, you can create an arrangement that fits your needs and only your needs. Not to mention, the tax benefits can be awesome!

#14. Nanny Shares are Even More Budget-Friendly 

A nanny service or a nanny-share arrangement, in which a nanny cares for children in two or more families, is another cost-effective option that can be tailored to meet your needs.  Doing a nanny-share with a friend or acquaintance who's also on the hunt for quality childcare can make for an awesome arrangement!

#15. People Choose Nannies for All Kinds of Reasons

There are a TON of reasons families are opting for Nanny-care as opposed to alternative forms of childcare these days. With the majority of households having both parents working,  it's not surprising. Some of the many reasons people rely on nannies instead of traditional childcare include:

• A demanding job with non-traditional hours
• Multiple kids with active schedules
• Desiring one-on-one or in-home childcare 
• In need of consistent childcare for a variety of ages
• A child with special needs that needs a higher level, more personalized level of care
  

#16. Finding a Nanny Doesn’t Have to be Hard

Thanks to the internet, finding a nanny that meets your family’s needs is easier than ever these days. Our Process helps us match families with nannies that will have the highest likelihood of success in meeting their individual needs. Complimenting this is a streamlined screening process, free background checks, and all legal and compliance handled for both sides. This allows all focus on pairing the right nanny with the household and children’s development and growth goals.