Are you confused by the different childcare job titles?

It’s understandable. A quick search online may bring up nannies, babysitters, maternity practitioners, night nannies, family assistants and early years practitioners—sometimes all offering similar services, sometimes with very different responsibilities.

Recruitment adverts can also blur the lines, combining duties from several different roles into one job description. This can lead to unrealistic expectations, confusion over salaries, and childcare professionals being asked to undertake responsibilities outside the scope of their role.

Choosing the right childcare professional isn’t simply about finding someone who loves children. Each role has its own purpose, level of responsibility, training, experience and working arrangements.

To help families make informed decisions, we’ve put together this guide to some of the most common childcare roles.

Nanny

A nanny is a professional childcarer employed by a family to provide consistent, long-term care for children within the family home.

Nannies often become an integral part of family life, supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, development and daily routines while working closely in partnership with parents.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Planning age-appropriate activities and outings
• Supporting children’s learning and development through play
• Preparing nutritious meals for the children
• School and nursery runs
• Managing daily routines
• Children’s laundry and organisation
• Maintaining children’s bedrooms, playrooms and equipment
• Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing
• Communicating regularly with parents

A nanny’s primary responsibility is the care, safety and development of the children. They are generally responsible for child-related duties only unless additional responsibilities have been agreed as part of their role.

Many professional nannies hold childcare qualifications, Paediatric First Aid certification, Enhanced DBS checks and continue their professional development throughout their careers. Nannies are not regulated as the family is the employer.

Babysitter

A babysitter provides short-term, occasional childcare, usually during evenings, weekends or while parents attend appointments or social events.

Responsibilities generally include:

• Supervising children safely
• Playing with children
• Preparing simple snacks or meals
• Managing bedtime routines
• Responding to children’s needs until parents return

Babysitters are not normally expected to plan developmental activities or undertake household duties beyond leaving the home tidy after use.

Many babysitters are experienced nannies, teachers, early years practitioners or students working additional hours. Some babysitters are young people experiencing their first experience in childcare. Please make sure they would know what to do in an emergency.

Mother’s Helper

A Mother’s Helper (or Family Helper) works alongside a parent or primary caregiver rather than taking sole charge of the children.

This role can be particularly valuable for:

• New parents
• Families with newborns
• Parents recovering after birth
• Families with multiple young children
• Parents working from home

Responsibilities may include entertaining children while a parent rests, preparing bottles, helping with feeding, tidying children’s areas or assisting with routines.

Unlike a nanny, a Mother’s Helper is not usually responsible for independent sole charge of the children. Typically this is an entrance role in to home based childcare, gaining experience for the individual.

Childminder

A childminder is a childcare professional who cares for children within their own home.

In England, childminders caring for children under the age of eight, are generally required to register with Ofsted or a Childminder Agency and must meet statutory safeguarding and learning requirements, therefore they are a regulated sector.

Childminders often care for several children of different ages together in a home environment and may offer funded childcare places where eligible.

Unlike a nanny, who works in the child’s own home, a childminder provides childcare from their own setting.

Nursery Nurse

The title Nursery Nurse has long been associated with highly trained childcare professionals, particularly those who qualified through the NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board) or similar childcare qualifications.

Many experienced nannies proudly continue to describe themselves as Nursery Nurses, reflecting both their professional training and the heritage of the childcare profession.

Today, within nurseries and preschools, the title Early Years Practitioner is more commonly used, although both titles remain widely recognised and respected.

Nursery Nurses have a strong understanding of child development, learning through play and supporting children’s wellbeing, whether working within early years settings or as professional nannies. Some also work within health visiting teams.

Early Years Practitioner

An Early Years Practitioner works within an early years setting such as a nursery, preschool or school nursery.

Their role focuses on supporting children’s learning and development through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Responsibilities typically include:

• Planning play-based learning experiences
• Observing children’s development
• Recording progress
• Working in partnership with parents
• Promoting safeguarding and wellbeing
• Supporting children’s emotional, social and physical development

Many Early Years Practitioners hold Level 2 or Level 3 childcare qualifications and continue to develop professionally throughout their careers.

Maternity Practitioner (also known as a Maternity Nurse)

Although the title Maternity Nurse remains widely recognised, many professionals now prefer the title Maternity Practitioner to better reflect the breadth of their role and avoid confusion with registered nurses.

A Maternity Practitioner provides specialist support during the newborn period, typically from birth until around 12 weeks, although some families may require longer-term support.

Responsibilities may include:

• Establishing feeding routines
• Supporting infant care
• Helping parents build confidence
• Promoting safe sleep practices
• Assisting with newborn routines
• Supporting recovery following birth

This is a specialist role focused on newborn care and parental support. This is not a regulated sector.

Maternity Nanny

A Maternity Nanny provides specialist newborn care before transitioning into a more traditional nanny role as the baby grows.

Families often choose a Maternity Nanny when they would like continuity of care beyond the newborn period.

As the child develops, the role gradually expands to include wider childcare responsibilities and developmental support.

Night Nanny / Night Maternity Practitioner

Night Nannies and Night Maternity Practitioners provide overnight support for newborn babies and young infants.

Responsibilities may include:

• Settling babies overnight
• Supporting breast or bottle feeding
• Changing nappies
• Monitoring routines
• Offering reassurance and guidance to parents
• Helping families establish healthy sleep habits

The exact responsibilities should always be agreed before employment begins. This is not a regulated sector.

Sleep Practitioner or Sleep Consultant

A Sleep Practitioner provides advice and support to families experiencing sleep challenges with babies and young children.

Rather than providing overnight childcare, they usually:

• Assess sleep routines
• Develop personalised sleep plans
• Support parents in implementing changes
• Offer follow-up guidance and coaching

Sleep Practitioners are currently an unregulated profession within the UK. Families are encouraged to research qualifications, experience, training and professional memberships before choosing a practitioner.

Housekeeper

A Housekeeper is employed primarily to maintain the home rather than provide childcare.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Cleaning
• Laundry and ironing
• Changing bed linen
• Household organisation
• Grocery shopping
• Running errands
• Meal preparation
• Maintaining household cleanliness

Although some housekeepers may occasionally supervise older children, childcare is not their primary responsibility.

Nanny Housekeeper

A Nanny Housekeeper combines childcare with household responsibilities.

Responsibilities vary between families but may include:

• Providing childcare
• Children’s meals
• Children’s laundry
• Tidying children’s bedrooms and play areas
• Family laundry
• Light household cleaning
• Household organisation

The balance between childcare and housekeeping should always be discussed and agreed before employment begins.

The National Nanny Association recommends that families with children under the age of two carefully consider whether a combined role is appropriate. Babies and young toddlers require responsive, attentive care throughout the day, and balancing this with significant housekeeping duties may reduce the opportunity to provide the level of interaction and supervision that young children need.

House Manager

A House Manager oversees the smooth running of a busy household.

Responsibilities may include:

• Managing family diaries
• Coordinating household staff
• Booking appointments
• Organising tradespeople
• Managing household budgets
• Arranging travel
• Organising children’s extracurricular activities
• Running household administration

Some House Managers provide childcare, while others focus solely on managing the household.

Family Assistant

A Family Assistant is a role that is becoming more known in UK which has come from the US.

It combines elements of childcare, household administration and practical family support.

Responsibilities may include:

• School collections
• Homework support
• Preparing children’s meals
• Organising children’s belongings
• Running errands
• Online shopping
• Household administration
• Diary management
• Booking activities and appointments
• Light household support

Unlike a nanny, a Family Assistant role is often weighted more heavily towards supporting the running of family life rather than providing full-time childcare.

Why Do These Titles Matter?

Understanding the differences between childcare roles benefits everyone.

When job titles become blurred, parents may unknowingly recruit someone whose role doesn’t match their expectations, while childcare professionals may be asked to undertake duties outside their training or agreed responsibilities.

Clear job descriptions also help ensure:

• Fair salaries
• Appropriate expectations
• Better recruitment
• Professional recognition
• Clear contracts
• Improved job satisfaction
• Better outcomes for children

Every childcare role has an important place within the sector. By understanding the differences, families can choose the right support for their individual needs, while recognising the unique skills and expertise each professional brings.

At the National Nanny Association, we believe that promoting a clear understanding of childcare roles helps strengthen the profession, supports informed decision-making and ultimately benefits the children and families we all work to support.

Please note: Job titles are not legally protected in the UK, and responsibilities can vary between employers and individual contracts. The descriptions in this guide reflect the roles most commonly understood within the childcare profession and represent good practice rather than legal definitions.