Using the services of a nanny (the old fashioned word) to look after your tiny tots is becoming increasingly popular these days and no longer is it a prerogative of the rich and famous. When both parents are working, it becomes difficult to look after kids and also ensure their safety at home. There are many options available for the purpose and babysitting and childcare are two of the very popular ones. However, there are differences between these two services that you need to know so as to choose one that is better suited for your requirements.
Babysitting
Babysitting is generally done by teenagers who do this in return for money. As teenagers do not have all the time to devote for babysitting, this is a temporary baby care which is part time. Normally in every locality you will find such kids who perform the role of a babysitter. They are always ready to provide their services on nights and even weekends. If you have asked a teenager to baby-sit previously, you probably know that he or she would provide services once or twice a week only. Of course this depends on her availability and your terms and relations with her family. The basic purpose of babysitting is to let parents have a quality time together when going out. Parents get break from kids and the babysitter gets money for her services. There are both active as well as passive babysitters. Active ones play with kids while passive ones quietly supervise them ensuring their safety. The babysitter comes to the home whenever her services are required and parents inform well in time to allow her to come prepared. Babysitters get hourly rates that go up with the number of children to be looked after. To become a babysitter, no formal training is required and anyone with patience to look after kids can become a babysitter.
Childcare
Childcare is usually provided by adult females either full time or part time. This is different from babysitting in the sense that service provider is in close contact with the kids most of the time. Childcare is just like any other job and such females work for 8-10 hours a day on every working day of the week. Childcare providers do it for self support while parents are assured that their kids are getting proper care and guidance. Childcare provider meets the developmental and educational requirements of a growing child and helps in language and motor abilities of small kids. She also looks after emotional and social requirements of the kids while getting the kids involved in activities appropriate for his age. Childcare provider is a professional who guides a kid to develop positive behavior.
Childcare is provided both at home as well as at childcare centers that are open all days of the week and provide all facilities to satisfy parents about the safety of their kids. Childcare is a business where parents are charged on an hourly basis. All states in the country require centers providing childcare providers to get annual training for the purpose. This training varies depending upon service provider’s educational qualifications.
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In brief: • Babysitting and childcare are two very popular options for parents to have arrangements for their small kids to be looked after in their absence. • While babysitting is temporary, childcare is done on a permanent basis. • Babysitters come at home whereas childcare service is available at such centers. • Babysitters are teenagers whereas childcare providers are adult females trained in baby care.
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