Child care in New York City is complex. Many young professional families use live-in nannies or au-pairs, send their children to day-care, then nursery school, then school. Some rely on the American suburban institution of a "babysitter." At one time this was usually the neighbors teenage daughter or son who watched the child for an evening.
"Nannies" usually refer to full-time, semi-permanent employees who are specially trained to care for young children. They can be with a family for a few weeks or up to many years.
"Babysitters" refer to a reliable, sometimes trained person who cares for a child for an evening or several hours during the day.
"Au Pair" usually refers to a young woman who comes from abroad (some come from northwestern United States, especially in the summer) who live with the family for a specified period of time. They receive room and board and a small salary.
