We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Roles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Nursemaid?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 7,730
Share

A nursemaid or nursery maid is a female servant who cares for children under the supervision of a senior servant like a nurse or nanny. This position is relatively unheard of in the modern world, as few people maintain households formal enough to require a nursemaid, although nursemaids can still be found in some corners of the world. Because nursemaids traditionally deal intimately with children on a daily basis, they often establish strong bonds with their charges, leading members of the public to think of them almost as surrogate mother figures.

The most senior servant designated to care for children is the nurse or nanny. In households where mothers rely on assistance for childcare, a nanny is usually enough. However, when a nanny is not sufficient, a nursemaid may be used. Nursemaids can be especially valuable in houses with multiple children, or children who are hard to handle. They are not as fully trained as nannies, and they are responsible to the nanny, who may in turn be overseen by another member of the household staff, depending on the hierarchy of the household.

A wide variety of tasks may fall under the provenance of the nursemaid. Nursemaids typically clean the nursery, keeping things tidy and keeping track of the children of the house. They also may help children dress for school and outings, and it is not uncommon for a nursemaid to supervise children at play or while they work on school assignments. These domestic servants essentially handle the aspects of childcare which a mother may find not to her taste, ranging from changing diapers to taking children to the dentist.

Many old-fashioned novels feature nursemaids, or derisive comments about them. Children often chafed against the presence of a nursemaid as they grew older, arguing that they no longer required constant supervision. Since the concept of a nursemaid was once widely known and accepted, a comment like “she hardly needs a nursemaid to finish that task” would have been clearly understood, especially among the upper classes.

As you might expect, the primary job requirement for a nursemaid is a desire to work with children. Nursemaids are typically expected to have some sort of training in childcare as well, and first aid training is a definite bonus. Since this position is relatively obsolete, it can be difficult to find positions as a nursemaid; a knowledge of the protocol of formal households can be a big help, as it will assist a nursemaid in settling in.

Share
Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Practical Adult Insights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/what-is-a-nursemaid.htm
Copy this link
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.