I’m not sure how widespread this term is, but here in Australia it’s a widely used term. Nannies, teachers, childcare workers with a childcare or teaching qualification generally identify under the broad term of educator to indicate that they are invested in educating children in their care, as opposed to just providing daily supervision. The children may be learning life skills or an academic education while in this care, but their individual needs and growth will also be identified and tailored toward.

Nanny Educator or Educator Nanny is sometimes used to specify educated nannies in job descriptions.

An international nanny is an expatriate (expat) who leaves their home, family and friends behind and relocates to a different country where they may have no connections established, and works with either a local or expat family who come from anywhere in the world – not necessarily the nanny's home country. The jobs are often live-in and considered lifestyle jobs for the full dedication they require. However, nannies who simply travel to London, New York or Sydney to compete with a plethora of local nannies, live out and perform regular daily hours, and do not travel, fit better into the category of a professional nanny. An international job as described is more likely found in the Middle East, the Caribbean, Russia, and the higher demanding jobs found across the UK, US and Europe.

These jobs are almost exclusively full-time positions with long hours, permanent contracts and visas involved. There may also be temporary positions which transport the nanny to different locations for shorter periods, but in either case, they will be the one entering into a family’s daily life and doing all the adjusting to a new way of living. Whether permanent or temporary, the family may also travel the world extensively, here the nanny is expected to join them and care for the children wherever they travel to.

The international nanny’s duties depend on what other staff are employed in the home; a fully staffed household may only ask the nanny to perform childcare and education, whereas in another role the nanny may need to provide all the tasks related to the children including meals and laundry.

The nanny in these roles live in and all accommodation and living expenses are covered; income becomes mostly disposable. The employment of the nanny includes higher salaries and more benefits, including leave, a car for personal use, a work phone, and health benefits. Such roles are popular for those who love to travel and for the luxury lifestyle they provide.

A travel nanny is someone who either starts from their home base or flies out to a destination, and joins a family for a short period whilst they are on holiday or travelling. Mostly, this is a temporary position, but for families in the nanny’s hometown who travel a lot, it could be a permanent role and the nanny joins them.

In either case, the family supplies the nanny with a hotel room, airfares, all transfers and transportation and meals, plus a fair wage. In temporary positions, public holidays are worked and charged double time (major) or time and a half (minor), and sick leave and taxes are subject to the employment offer/ employment destination. Hours may be 24/7 including sharing a room with a child or there may be time off included.

Duties vary depending on the type of accommodation, for example hotel living may negate the need for cooking and laundry. There will always be expectations to help with or do the children’s packing, unpacking, plan outings and cover any school work or educational requirements.

A rota nanny is the nanny version of a fly in-fly out position. Everything listed in the international nanny description applies. The difference is that two nannies are hired for the same role, but each one works on a 24/7 rota basis, for an agreed timeframe. This may vary from a few days on/a few days off to one month on/one month off. Typically the rotation is 2-4 weeks on/off.

During the time off, the nanny may stay at the provided live-in accommodation, on or off the family property, or travel elsewhere. Return flights each rotation to the nanny’s home country may or may not be covered, depending on distance travelled. Similarly, employment packages vary, and may be a full 12 month wage, or less to reflect payment for only the time worked. However, any travel during the work period and other benefits offered to international nannies are provided as part of the package. 

These roles are usually required for UHNW families who travel a lot and have fully staffed households and high demands on their time, hence the need for 24/7 care and two nannies to fill the role. 

Temporary nannies are a short-term solution for parents travelling, for covering a sick or travelling current nanny’s absence, or for just helping out for a short while.  Most of the duties are the same as a professional nanny in terms of meeting daily needs, but are relieved of longer organisational projects. The temp is expected to just “hit the ground running” and adapt to the routine as best as they can.

Wages are paid at an agreed daily or weekly rate plus living costs if live in and travel costs if the nanny is coming from somewhere else.  Their taxes and super or pension contributions are covered as required but leave and other benefits are not typically offered.

Babysitters may have little or no experience, or may be a professional educator doing additional hours.  However, they typically aren’t qualified.  Babysitters usually look after children when parents go out in the evening or do short daytime shifts. The work is on an as-needed basis, as opposed to regular work, and is paid hourly. It does not include leave, tax, superannuation/pension, and is usually a cash or bank transfer. Thus, it is up to the sitter to declare the income and pay any tax. Chores are not usually expected, but welcomed, such as tidying up the kitchen or folding dry washing.

Au-pairs are travelers looking for a cultural exchange. They are firstly looking to learn a second language and/or more about the culture of their chosen destination. They often must take on some sort of study as part of their visa program. Childcare is a secondary but necessary part of their visa, for example to be on the US au-pair visa. They may also be travelling on a working holiday visa without as many rules, but the live-in nature of the au-pair job provides them with accommodation and a salary so they can focus on their experience.  Hours are often limited to no more than 30-45 per week, depending on the country, so they can balance study and a cultural experience.

Au-pairs are usually unqualified and lack any real experience. The families’ needs are reduced compared to those who employ nannies; they are often only seeking “extra hands”, help with housework and looking after the children, with a parent in the home.  Au-pairs may be left unsupervised with the children for short periods. 

In return they receive room and board, and minimum wage, which amounts to $200-300 per week (US/AUS). Au-pairs are typically very young.

Proxy parenting involves caring for children around the clock when parents can’t, such as while the parents take a holiday or travel for business.  Professional or international nannies typically provide the care in this type of work, and for a nanny already experienced in working jobs with long hours these positions are very straightforward. The job may be for a family familiar to the nanny, such as their current role, or a family who have searched the net or an agency.  It is very rare that a family will advertise online for a nanny to come and care solely for the time period – overnight up to a month – more likely they will offer babysitting or other care to build the relationship first. 

Duties will match the period of cover needed; an overnight role will only need care plus meals and maybe laundry. Whereas a week to a month may require more housekeeping such as linen changes, grocery shopping and even kitchen/bathroom cleaning.

Employment packages are aligned with temporary positions if they are temporary in nature. A full time nanny providing proxy care of their charges will typically be paid an hourly overtime rate plus an agreed overnight rate.