In the 19th and prime 20th century, the point was commonly familiar as a "nurse", and was, as for many childcare jobs, invariably female. In a great house, the nurse ran her own domain, a lodging of rooms called the nursery, supported by at least uncommon assistant, obvious as a nursemaid (or nurserymaid). Because of their role in child care, nannies were somewhat more indulged than junior servants. Nannies may have remained in the employment of the same aristocratic folk for years, looking after successive generations of children.

There are a number of national and international professional associations representing nannies and nanny agencies. The International Nanny Association (INA) was founded in 1985. INA is a non-profit assembly which provides an educational Seattle Nanny association for nannies with placement, employment, and professional support. It is a non-profit organization that promotes professionalism in the nanny placement industry.