A nanny, childminder, child care provider, or mother's helper is an individual who provides care for one or more children in a family as a service. Traditionally, nannies were servants in large households and reported directly to the lady of the house. Today, modern nannies, like other domestic workers, may live in or out of the house depending on their circumstances and those of their employers. Professional nannies are usually certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, qualified in First Aid, and have a degree or extensive training in child development. There are many employment agencies that specialize in childcare and online services that aid in finding available nannies.
A childminder cares for the child in the childminder's home. Depending on the country they live in, government registration may or may not be required.
A governess, in contrast to a nanny, concentrates on teaching and training children.
A special type of modern nanny is known as a mother's helper. They are hired to assist mothers in the chores of the household as well as care for the children. A mother's helper may live in or out of the house.
In the 19th and early 20th century, the position was usually known as a "nurse", and was, as for many childcare jobs, invariably female. In a great house the nurse was a more senior member of the household staff and ran her own domain, a suite of rooms called the nursery, supported by at least one assistant, known as a nursemaid (or nurserymaid). Because of their deep involvement in raising the children of the family, nannies were often remembered with great affection and treated more kindly than the junior servants. Nannies may have remained in the employment of the same family for years, looking after successive generations of children. In the 21st century however the word is often shortened to Nan.
Nannies were present in the households of the administrators of European colonial empires throughout the world. It was a characteristic feature of colonial society that the children of European administrative officers were entrusted to the care of native women.