In Kenya these titles overlap, and many aunties do more than one role. Here is how they usually differ.
| Role | Main focus | Typical experience |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny (yaya) | Children: feeding, naps, play, school runs | Childcare experience; some have ECDE or nanny training |
| House help | Cleaning, laundry, cooking, often children too | Varies |
| House manager | Runs the whole home with little supervision | Several years, often with expat or large households |
| Babysitter | Short or part-time childcare | Varies; often part-time |
How to choose
If the children are your main concern, hire for childcare first and add light housework. If you need the home run end to end, look for a house manager with strong references. For school holidays or a few days a week, a part-time babysitter is often enough.
On Aunty Nyumbani, every profile lists skills like newborn care, cooking, laundry, homework help and school runs, so you can see exactly what each auntie does.
Quick answers
What is the difference between a nanny and a house help?
A nanny focuses on the children; a house help focuses on the home (cleaning, laundry, cooking) and often helps with children too.