opiekunka

Opiekunka is a Polish noun referring to a female caregiver who provides personal care and supervision. The term is used in several contexts, most commonly to describe a nanny or babysitter responsible for children, but also to refer to a home caregiver for adults or the elderly. The verb stem opiekować się means “to take care of,” and the noun forms from it indicate the person performing that duty.

In childcare, an opiekunka do dzieci may supervise, feed, dress, transport children, arrange activities, help with homework, and perform light household tasks related to the children. In elder or disabled care, an opiekunka (opiekunka do osoby starszej) assists with daily activities, medication reminders, mobility support, companionship, and basic care tasks; more complex medical tasks are usually handled by licensed professionals.

Jobs can be full-time, part-time, live-in or live-out. Many families hire opiekunka directly or through an agency. Employment arrangements may be formalized with an employment contract, a contract of mandate, or other agreements. Common requirements include references, safeguarding checks, basic first aid knowledge, and sometimes relevant training or caregiving certificates. In practice, the role and requirements vary widely by country, region, and employer.

The term is closely related to niania (nanny/babysitter) and opiekunka do osób starszych (home caregiver). The male equivalent is opiekun or opiekun domowy. The word reflects a social need for domestic caregiving as families balance work and caregiving responsibilities.