It is inevitable for some families to make the mistake of hiring a nanny and then subjecting the person to do
household chores. Similarly, they confuse a nanny as an equivalent of
au pair. What is the truth, exactly?
Well, there is a difference between an au pair and a nanny. The nanny, as the title implies, serves as a "second mother" of the family. The persons called as a nanny is employed by the family and either lives with them or not, to primarily take care of the children. As such, the duties of the nanny are centered on improving the children's lives, whether the children are babies, toddlers, grade schoolers, or teens. There is no age limit, but a nanny usually requires diverse experience and of course, know-how on child care.
On the other hand, an au pair is a young student who is involved in a cultural immersion. Unlike the nanny status which can be treated as a profession, an au pair
job is temporary. The child care duties that may be required of an au pair is only limited because the student must return to the home country after a brief period of time.
