one looking after the kids crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! You've landed on the ultimate resource for solving the clue "one looking after the kids crossword". Below, you'll find comprehensive answers, explanations, and tips to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "one looking after the kids crossword" by Letter Count
5 Letters
NANNY: A professional caregiver employed to look after children, typically in their family's home, often on a long-term basis.
8 Letters
GUARDIAN: A person legally appointed to protect and manage the affairs of a child, often when the parents are unable to.
10 Letters
BABYSITTER: Someone hired to care for children for a short period, often on an occasional basis when parents are out.
11 Letters
CHILDMINDER: A person who cares for children in their own home, typically for a fee, while parents are at work or unavailable.
More About "one looking after the kids crossword"
The clue "one looking after the kids" often refers to various professional and informal roles focused on childcare. These roles, while similar in their core responsibility, differ in scope, duration, and legal implications. Common answers like NANNY, BABYSITTER, CHILDMINDER, and GUARDIAN each represent distinct forms of child supervision and care, making this clue a versatile one in crossword puzzles.
A NANNY typically provides comprehensive, often live-in, care, becoming an integral part of the household. A BABYSITTER, conversely, offers intermittent care, usually for social engagements. CHILDMINDERS care for children in their own homes, often for multiple families, acting as a home-based day-care. A GUARDIAN, on the other hand, holds a legal responsibility for a child's well-being and affairs, a role more formal and long-term than the others mentioned.
Understanding these nuances is key to selecting the correct answer in a crossword. The specific context of the puzzle, including intersecting letters and the number of spaces available, will guide you to the precise term that fits. Crossword setters often play on these subtle differences to create challenging yet solvable clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Synonyms & Specific Roles: For clues like "one looking after the kids," always think about both general terms (carer) and specific job titles (nanny, babysitter, au pair, childminder). The exact answer will depend on the available letter count and surrounding clues.
- Utilize Letter Count: The number of letters in the answer is your most powerful hint. If you have an 8-letter space, 'GUARDIAN' is a possibility, whereas 'NANNY' (5 letters) would not fit. Always count the letters precisely.
- Think About Context: If other clues in the puzzle hint at a legal theme, 'GUARDIAN' might be a stronger contender than 'BABYSITTER'. Sometimes, the puzzle's overall theme or adjacent answers can provide valuable context.
- Use a Thesaurus for Alternatives: If your initial thought doesn't fit the letter count, a quick thesaurus check for "childcare provider" or "caretaker" can often reveal alternative words that fit the grid.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?
While both care for children, nannies typically offer more comprehensive, often full-time, long-term care, sometimes living with the family. Babysitters usually provide occasional, short-term care, often outside the family's home for social events.
How do crossword setters create clues like 'one looking after the kids'?
Crossword setters aim for precision and often use common phrases or definitions. For 'one looking after the kids,' they might look for direct synonyms (nanny, babysitter), specific roles (childminder, au pair), or even more general terms like 'guardian' depending on the puzzle's difficulty and theme. They also consider letter count carefully to fit the grid.
Are there other common crossword answers for 'person who cares for children'?
Beyond nanny, babysitter, and childminder, other answers can include 'AU PAIR' (a young foreign person who helps with housework or childcare in exchange for food, lodging, and pocket money), 'NURSE' (historically, especially a wet nurse), or 'CARER' (a broader term for anyone providing care), depending on the specific crossword and its required length.