Everyday someone calls us and asks us, what is the difference between a nanny, child minder, an au pair, a tutor, a governess and a homeschool teacher? In order to assist herewith is a general guideline to assist you with answers.
Nannies (in South Africa) or Child Minders are considered to be someone who:
- is generally aged between 18 to 60 years old
- will sometimes have a drivers license but this is rare
- will NOT have their own vehicle
- generally has limited education, and often they do not have a Grade 12 (Matric) qualification
- often cannot read and write very well
- is generally not computer literate
- works with babies, toddlers and children under 7 years of age
- does domestic duties such as washing, ironing, cleaning the house etc.
- sometimes cooks meals for the family if they are able to cook
- is generally NOT able to assist with homework due to their limited education
- usually wears a uniform provided for by the family
- earns an average of R5000 to R7000 per month for full day, 6 days per week
- starts work around 06:00 and ends around 18:00
- generally works Monday to Saturday and sometimes Sundays
- earns overtime for additional hours worked
- usually wears a uniform provided for by the family
- please note we do NOT place nannies / domestic workers at the agency
An Au Pair (in South Africa) Junior to Medium Level, is considered someone who:
- is generally aged between 18 to 25 years old
- has a valid drivers license
- has their OWN roadworthy vehicle
- is computer literate
- has passed Grade 12 (Matric or Cambridge AS Levels etc.)
- is sometimes studying towards a degree / diploma
- has generally done a first aid course
- has sometimes completed a child care course such as an au pair course
- has 1 to 3 years of child care experience
- has experience working with babies, toddlers and children aged 4 to 18 years old
- does NOT do any domestic work i.e. washing, ironing, cleaning the house etc.
- transports the children around to extra murals, appointments etc.
- runs errands like collecting the post, grocery shopping etc.
- cooks meals for the family
- assists with homework, school projects, test and exam preparation etc.
- does not generally live-in though some do
- generally works Monday to Friday and babysits on occasion when needed
- earns an average of between R7 500 to R11 000 for Mornings OR Afternoons i.e. HALF day
- earns an average of between R11 000 to R18 000 for FULL day
- is reimbursed by the family for petrol (though NOT to and from work)
- who earns overtime for additional hours worked
- liaises with the school and teachers about the child’s progress and reports back to the parents
- generally stays with a family for 12 to 18 months
- does not wear a uniform
- if you require a junior to medium level Au Pair we ARE able to assist you – simply contact us
A Governess or Senior Level Au Pair (in South Africa) is considered someone who:
- is generally aged between 25 to 50 years old
- has a valid drivers license
- has their OWN roadworthy vehicle
- is computer literate
- has passed Grade 12 (Matric or AS Levels etc.)
- has completed a first aid course
- has generally completed an au pair course
- generally has a teaching degree or diploma or other related degree or diploma
- has a minimum of 5 years au pair or similar experience
- has experience working with babies, toddlers and children of varying ages
- does NOT do any domestic work i.e. washing, ironing, cleaning the house etc.
- transports the children around to extra murals, appointments etc.
- runs errands like collecting the post, grocery shopping etc.
- cooks meals for the family
- assists with homework, school projects, test and exam preparation etc.
- liaises with the school and teachers about the child’s progress and reports back to the parents
- is able travel with the family when required
- is able to live with the children whilst the parents travel internationally
- is able to run a household i.e. systems, schedules, plans etc.
- is able to manage other staff working in the household
- is generally also a personal assistant to the family
- does not generally live-in though some do (this is not very common in South Africa)
- generally works Monday to Friday though often Saturdays and sometimes Sundays when needed
- is generally available whenever the parents require at a moments notice
- earns an average of between R18 000 to R30 000 for full day
- is reimbursed by the family for petrol (though NOT to and from work)
- who does NOT earn overtime but DOES work overtime rather frequently
- generally stays with a family for 2 years or longer
- Many high-profile families, who are unable to be with their children due to their careers, employ governesses because they know their children and their household will be in the care of the very best that this industry can provide.
- if you require a Governess or a senior level Au Pair we ARE able to assist you – simply contact us
A Tutor (in South Africa) is considered someone who:
- arrives at the child’s home to tutor them
- does not transport the children at all
- works on various days of the week for about 1 to 3 hours
- has passed Matric or Cambridge AS Levels or equivalent
- who received a minimum of 70% in mathematics for Grade 12
- who received a minimum of 70% in Afrikaans or Zulu for Grade 12
- who obtained at least a B average for Grade 12 but mostly an A average
- is studying towards a degree or diploma
- is between the ages of 18 to 25
- sits with one child and assists them with their homework, revision, assignments etc.
- works with children who are in Grade R to Matric i.e. school going children
- assists the child with improving their grades
- teaches the child study techniques and tips
- is solely there for the child’s academic requirements
- earns an average of R200 to R300 per hour (generally equates to R5000 to R8 000 per month depending on number of hours worked)
- does not get reimbursed for petrol – they do NOT do any driving for the family though they generally do have their own vehicle
- liaises with the school and teachers about the child’s progress and reports back to the parents
- if you require a Tutor we ARE able to assist you – simply contact us
A Homescho0l Teacher (in South Africa) is considered someone who:
- arrives at the child’s home to teach them in accordance with the prescribed curriculum
- the curriculum depends on the curriculum choice of the parents i.e. IEB, GED, Cambridge, CAPS, Reggio Emelia etc.
- is entirely responsible for teaching the children the prescribed curriculum in relation to the grade/s they are in
- Early Childhood Development Phase (ages 18 months to 5 years old)
- Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3 – ages 6 to 9 years old)
- Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to Grade 6 – ages 10 to 12 years old)
- Senior Phase (Grade 7 to Grade 12 – ages 13 to 18 years old)
- has passed Grade 12 i.e. Matric or Cambridge AS Levels etc.
- has a teaching degree or diploma relevant to the ages of the children to be taught
- has teaching experience relevant to the ages of the children to be taught
- is SACE registered
- is between the ages of 25 to 60
- works Monday to Friday in the mornings starting around 08:00 and ending around 13:00
- earns an average of R12 000 to R30 000 per month (this depends on a variety of factors)
- generally does not transport the children around however they do have their own vehicle to get to and from work
- is reimbursed by the family for petrol (though NOT to and from work)
- does NOT generally work overtime
- liaises with the parents about the child’s progress
- submits termly school reports to the parents
- submits weekly and termly lesson plans to the parents
- compiles a timetable for the child to follow
- compiles, invigilates and scores assignments, tests and exams where necessary and required
- sources all learning material (though the parents pay for all learning material required i.e. textbooks, workbooks etc.)
- sets up and maintains the learning environment in an appropriate and orderly manner
- keeps up to date with relevant curriculum amendments and teaching methods etc.
- keeps up to date with information etc. from the Department of Education
- if you require a Homeschool Teacher we ARE able to assist you – simply contact us
The above is a very good guideline which distinguishes the different types of child care positions that one can have in the home environment in South Africa.
When looking to employ someone to assist, it is best that you know upfront what the person is capable of and willing to do. It is also essential that you align your budget in terms of what you are able / willing to spend on a monthly basis for child care.
Many relationships break down because the family and the candidate do not have the same “position” in mind which causes conflict down the line.
If you require an au pair, tutor, governess or homeschool teacher simply contact us and we will be able to assist you with your journey!
