What Does a Nanny Educator Actually Do?
If you have searched “what does a nanny do?”, you are probably trying to understand what in-home childcare looks like in practice. The professional role we use is Nanny Educator because the work involves much more than supervision.
A Nanny Educator provides personalised care, supports a child’s development and helps establish reliable routines in the family home. Depending on the arrangement, they may care for babies, toddlers, school-aged children or a combination of ages.
The right Nanny Educator becomes a consistent, trusted person in a child’s life while working closely with parents to support the family’s routines and priorities.
What does a Nanny Educator do during the day?
Every family’s schedule is different, but a typical day may include:
- Preparing children for the morning, including dressing, breakfast and school or kinder preparation
- Planning educational play and age-appropriate developmental activities
- Reading, craft, music, imaginative play and other learning experiences
- Spending time outdoors at home, in a park or at a local activity
- Preparing meals and snacks for the children
- Supporting rest, naps and quiet time
- Completing nappy changes and assisting with personal care for younger children
- Collecting children from school, kinder or scheduled activities
- Helping children transition calmly between activities
- Maintaining a safe, engaging and predictable environment
A Nanny Educator may also support homework, organise playdates, accompany children to appointments and communicate important information to parents at the end of the day.
The focus is not simply keeping children occupied. A professional Nanny Educator observes each child, responds to their individual needs and creates opportunities for learning, confidence and independence.
Nanny duties and responsibilities by arrangement
The duties and hours depend on the type of care a family needs. Placement Solutions provides several options for families in Melbourne and Sydney.
Temporary Nanny Educators
Temporary care can range from seven nights to six months. Families may arrange this support during a family crisis, parental illness, recovery after birth or another period when their usual arrangements are not available.
Temporary Nanny Educators can provide continuity and practical support while a family manages a changing situation.
Permanent Nanny Educators
Permanent placements are designed for longer-term childcare, either full-time or part-time. The Nanny Educator may manage the children’s daily routine, support school or kinder attendance, prepare meals, organise activities and assist with transitions throughout the week.
Permanent placements have a minimum shift of six hours. Placement Solutions does not provide before- and after-school-only care.
Casual and date night Nanny Educators
Casual and date night care is suitable for occasional commitments, social events, appointments or evenings when parents need additional support. These placements are still handled professionally, with screened and trained Nanny Educators matched to the family and the children’s needs.
Live-in Nanny Educators
A live-in Nanny Educator provides dedicated support within an agreed working arrangement. This may suit families who need flexibility across a broader schedule or regular assistance with children’s routines at home.
A suitable private bedroom and separate bathroom are required for a live-in arrangement. Hours, responsibilities and boundaries should be clearly discussed before the placement begins.
Newborn Care Specialists working overnight
A Newborn Care Specialist has specific knowledge and experience in newborn care, including feeding, settling, sleep routines and caring for multiples or premature babies.
It is important to distinguish a Newborn Care Specialist from the colloquial term night nanny. A Newborn Care Specialist remains awake and alert to support feedings, monitor the baby and follow safe sleep practices. A night nanny, as the term is sometimes used elsewhere, may sleep on the job. Families should always confirm exactly what overnight care and supervision an individual provides.
Do Nanny Educators do housework?
This is one of the most common questions families ask: “Do nannies do housework?”
A Nanny Educator generally completes duties that are directly connected to the children. These may include:
- Preparing and cleaning up the children’s meals and snacks
- Washing children’s dishes
- Tidying toys, play spaces and children’s bedrooms
- Completing the children’s laundry
- Changing children’s bed linen and towels
- Cleaning up after children’s activities
- Completing nappy changes and other personal care
General household cleaning is not usually part of a Nanny Educator’s role. This includes deep cleaning, cleaning bathrooms for the whole household, extensive adult laundry, mopping the entire home or preparing meals for all family members unless those duties have been specifically agreed.
A Nanny Educator’s primary responsibility is the children. Adding unrelated household tasks can reduce the time and attention available for safe, responsive care.
Families needing broader support with cooking, organising, household administration or daily tasks may benefit from a Household Manager. A Household Manager and Nanny Educator can also work together, with each professional focusing on their area of responsibility.
What a Nanny Educator is not
A Nanny Educator is not:
- A housekeeper responsible for cleaning the entire home
- A medical professional qualified to diagnose or treat illness
- A substitute for a parent
- A general domestic worker without clearly defined childcare responsibilities
A Nanny Educator is also different from a babysitter. A babysitter commonly provides short-term supervision, often for an evening or occasional period. A Nanny Educator is a trained childcare professional who may take ongoing responsibility for routines, development, activities, meals, transport and communication with parents.
For example, a Nanny Educator may plan a child’s day around their interests and developmental stage, maintain consistent routines and provide detailed feedback to parents. This professional, educational approach is what distinguishes the role from informal babysitting.
Qualifications and professional standards
Many professional Nanny Educators complete formal early childhood training, including:
- The one-year Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- The two-year Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Both qualifications are approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, commonly known as ACECQA.
Nanny Educators may also work in line with ACECQA National In Home Care standards. Ongoing learning is important, so educators complete professional development through learning management system modules, including Mandatory Child Safe Training.
Before a placement begins, screening may include:
- A current Working with Children Check
- A National Police Check
- First Aid and CPR certification
- Professional reference checking
- Confirmation of relevant qualifications and experience
Placement Solutions also legally employs its Nanny Educators. This provides an additional level of structure, accountability and support for families and educators.
Why families choose Placement Solutions
Placement Solutions is the oldest established agency in Australia, founded in 1988 and still Australian-owned and operated by its original owner, representing 38 years of experience and expertise.
The agency is recognised internationally for excellence in agency services, and was the first and only international member of APNA to win both the Leadership Award and the Most Excellent Agency Award. It remains the only agency to have won both categories in the same year.
Recognition includes the 2018 APNA (USA) Excellence in Agency Services, Louise Dunham’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2022 INA Meritorious Service Award and the 2025 inaugural AHCA Life Membership Award.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Nanny Educator do all day?
A Nanny Educator may manage children’s routines, prepare meals and snacks, organise educational play, provide outdoor activities, support rest time, complete nappy changes and handle school, kinder or activity pick-ups.
Do Nanny Educators do housework?
They generally complete child-related household tasks, such as tidying play areas, washing children’s dishes and completing children’s laundry. General household cleaning is not usually included. Families needing broader household assistance may require a Household Manager.
What is the difference between a Nanny Educator and a babysitter?
A babysitter usually provides occasional supervision. A Nanny Educator is a trained professional who supports children’s care, development, routines and daily needs as part of an agreed placement.
What qualifications should a Nanny Educator have?
Relevant qualifications may include a Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Families should also confirm current checks, First Aid and CPR certification, professional references and ongoing child safety training.
The takeaway
A Nanny Educator provides far more than basic supervision. They combine safe childcare, educational play, practical routines and responsive support tailored to each child and family. The clearest arrangement is one where childcare duties, child-related household tasks, hours and responsibilities are agreed from the beginning.
For personalised guidance choosing the right care arrangement, contact Placement Solutions to speak with our experienced team.