nursemaid

This term carries a strong historical and class-based connotation, typically referring to a domestic servant in a wealthy household. In modern English, it is largely archaic or used in a literary context to describe settings from the 18th through the early 20th centuries.

Contemporary speakers almost exclusively use "nanny" or "childminder" to describe this role. While "nanny" can be an affectionate term or a professional title, "nursemaid" specifically evokes the image of a hired employee whose primary duty was the physical care and supervision of infants and toddlers.