A
nanny,
childminder,
child care provider, or
mother's helper (the last designation not to be confused with the slang term "
mother's little helper," denoting a
tranquilizer pill) 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.