Nanny vs. Family Assistant: What’s the Difference?
If you're working in childcare or considering a career as a nanny, you may have heard the term "family assistant." While the two roles share similarities, there are also key differences that set them apart. Understanding these differences can help you decide which path is right for you and how to avoid scope creep in your role.
What is a Nanny?
A nanny is a childcare professional who provides consistent, hands-on care for children in a family’s home. The core responsibilities of a nanny typically revolve around the children’s daily needs, including:
Preparing meals and snacks
Dressing and bathing
Taking children to school or activities
Organizing and supervising playdates
Supporting the children’s physical, emotional, and social development
Nannies are dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and educational environment for the children in their care. Although nannies may help with light housekeeping related to the children (such as cleaning up playrooms or doing kids' laundry), their primary focus is the children.
What is a Family Assistant?
A family assistant, by contrast, takes on a broader role that includes both childcare and household management, as a sort of “personal assistant” for the household.
In addition to caring for the children, a family assistant may:
Manage family schedules and appointments
Run errands (grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning)
Plan and prepare meals for the entire family
Handle light housekeeping duties, such as laundry or organizing common areas
Help with travel arrangements and other personal assistant tasks for the parents
Family assistants are often expected to handle tasks that go beyond child-focused care and assist the household more broadly. This can include administrative or organizational tasks that keep the home running smoothly.
There’s another role, often called household manager or similar, that leans into the logistics and organization of running a household. Household managers may be in charge of other staff and generally handle big picture things, typically without the childcare component. Sometimes you may see the titles household manager and family assistant used interchangeably, since the titles aren’t legally defined.
Where Do Roles Overlap?
There are some areas where the roles of a nanny and a family assistant may overlap. Both roles prioritize the well-being of the children, and family assistants are often involved in planning activities, helping with homework, or managing children’s schedules. The main difference is that a family assistant also supports the household as a whole, rather than focusing exclusively on childcare.
In some cases, a nanny may take on extra household responsibilities and transition into a family assistant role over time. However, this should always be clearly defined in the job description to avoid confusion or "scope creep."
We’ve heard so many instances where nannies are hired to take care of the children but suddenly find themselves planning the family’s trips or taking the parents’ laundry to dry clean. This often leaves them with too little time to fulfill their responsibilities to the kiddos and enrich their days.
How to Avoid Scope Creep
If your role is primarily as a nanny, it’s important to set boundaries to avoid scope creep—when extra tasks gradually get added to your workload without a clear agreement. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this:
Have a clear contract: Your employment contract should clearly define your duties. If you are a nanny, it should emphasize child-focused tasks. If the family expects you to help with household management, it should be spelled out in your contract. Review and update your nanny job contract yearly to help you stay on track.
Communicate regularly: Open communication with your employer is key to ensuring that expectations are clear and manageable. If you feel your role is shifting from nanny to family assistant, schedule a conversation to clarify your responsibilities and adjust your contract if needed.
Stick to your job description: Refer to your written job description if you are asked to do tasks outside your role. Politely remind the family that your primary focus is on childcare, and suggest revisiting your agreement if household duties are becoming a regular part of your day.
Help Us Help You
Whether you choose to be a nanny or a family assistant depends on your career goals and personal preferences. Both roles can be fulfilling, but they come with different expectations and responsibilities.
Clear communication, a solid contract, and an understanding of the differences between these roles can help ensure a positive working relationship and a job that aligns with your skills and interests.
If you're considering a role as a nanny or family assistant and want guidance on finding the right fit, Smart Sitting can help match you with a family that suits your strengths and goals. We work with experienced, dedicated childcare professionals and help guide parents through their needs to make sure job listings are aligned with the realities of the position – all so that you can end up in the right job for you! Apply via the button below to get started.
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