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Nanny
Services Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LIVE-IN NANNY?
Having
a live-in nanny makes your life much easier! There is no morning
rush to daycare and your child enjoys undivided attention in a safe
environment. Preschoolers who stay home get
sick less often than kids in a group setting.
If your school-aged child gets sick you have a reliable person on hand to take care things until you get home from work.
Having a live-in
babysitter also makes it
easy to pop out to dinner or a movie at a moment’s notice - not
to mention the help with housework. That means more quality
time with your children.
Once
your nanny gets over her jetlag she will easily get the hang of your
household routine.
WHAT IF MY KIDS LIKE THE NANNY BETTER THAN THEY LIKE ME?
This is a common concern for many Canadian parents - especially new
mothers who have mixed feelings about returning to work. As Moms who
have nannies, we understand! And we can assure you that kids always
gravitate toward their parents regardless of who they spend time with
during the day.
We believe it is beneficial for a child to form strong bonds with as
many adults as possible. Another warm, loving relationship will only add to your child's sense of security.
Call us anytime if you need support or advice.
CAN I AFFORD A LIVE-IN NANNY?
If you have two children in daycare you are likely paying MORE than the cost of a live-in nanny.
Nannies just arriving in Canada are usually paid minimum
wage and must be paid for at least 30 hours a week (except in Alberta where the minimum is 44 hours per week).
The employer must match
the nanny's CPP contribution and pay 1.4 times the nanny's contribution
to EI. Employers in some provinces are allowed to charge their nannies room and board (although this is optional).
This is not as complicated as it sounds. You simply plug the numbers into the
Canada Revenue Agency's online payroll calculator and it will tell
you exactly how much to pay each month on behalf of both you and your
nanny. You can find the calculator here:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/bsnss/pdoc-eng.html
Here is the average
weekly cost for employing a nanny in each province. The CPP and
EI figures below are the employer's contribution. The nanny's
contributions are separate. Room and board has also been deducted
where applicable. For a list of the most up to date provincial wages and pending wage increases click here:
http://www.rhdcc-hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/advertReq/wageadreq.shtml
Updated: April 9, 2010
| PROVINCE |
MINIMUM WAGE |
WEEKLY SALARY
(x 35 Hours) |
PLUS C.P.P. |
PLUS E.I. |
MINUS
ROOM & BOARD |
WEEKLY TOTAL |
| Alberta |
$9.62 |
$423.28 * |
$17.62 |
$10.25 |
$73.85 |
$377.30 |
| British Columbia |
$8.00 |
$280.00 |
$10.53
|
$6.78 |
$75.00 |
$222.31 |
| Manitoba* |
n/a |
n/a/ |
n/a/ |
n/a |
n/a/ |
n/a |
| New Brunswick |
$8.50 |
$297.50 |
$11.39 |
$5.15 |
$50.00 |
$264.04 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador |
$10.50 |
$367.50 |
$14.86 |
$6.35 |
$75.00 |
$313.71 |
| Nova Scotia |
$9.20 |
$322.00 |
$12.61 |
$5.57 |
$59.80 |
$280.38 |
| Ontario |
$10.25 |
$358.75 |
$14.43 |
$6.21 |
$85.25 |
$294.14 |
| Prince Edward Island |
$8.40 |
$287.00 |
$10.88 |
$6.96 |
$45.00 |
$259.84 |
| Quebec* |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| Saskatchewan |
$10.00 |
$350.00 |
$13.99 |
$8.48 |
$62.50 |
$309.77 |
| Northwest Territories |
$10.16 |
$355.60 |
$14.27 |
$8.61 |
$105.00 |
$273.48 |
| Nunavut |
$10.16 |
$355.60 |
$14.27 |
$8.61 |
$105.00 |
$273.48 |
| Yukon |
$8.89 |
$311.15 |
$12.07 |
$7.53 |
$38.00 |
$292.75 |
* Employers in Alberta must pay their nanny for 44 hours a week even if a nanny works less than that amount.
* Employers in all other provinces must pay for a minimum of 30 hours a week.
* Minimum wage for live-in caregivers is higher than the standard minimum wage in some provinces.
* We do not place nannies in Quebec or Manitoba.
* The above table is based on an average 35 hour work week.
WHAT ABOUT MY FAMILY'S PRIVACY?
Most
Canadians were not raised with live-in helpers and are often initially
uncomfortable with the thought of a nanny living in their home. Those
concerns will quickly disappear once your nanny moves in.
Our
nannies are experienced professionals who understand a family or
couple will often need time alone - they do not take it
personally. An
experienced nanny is also adept at sensing when you need to concentrate
on a task (like paying bills or answering e-mail) and will
volunteer to take the kids out to play.
Our nannies are trained to be discreet both inside and outside your home.
You and your nanny will develop a domestic routine (and hopefully a
friendship) within a few weeks and you will wonder how you ever managed
without her!
WHAT KIND OF DUTIES WILL MY NANNY PERFORM?
A good live-in nanny provides invaluable support to working parents.
Here is the breakdown of a typical workday for our nannies.
- walk the dog/ feed pets
- prepare breakfast for the family
- prepare school lunches/pack school bags
- help get the kids off to school
- tidy the house
- take a break
- pick kids up from bus stop
- play with and read to the children
- cook dinner & do dishes
- help get kids ready for bed.
Remember, you must abide by Canadian labour laws and pay your nanny for all hours worked.
HOW DO YOU SCREEN YOUR NANNIES?
1. First, we look for the all-important "X factor" that defines an
exceptional nanny - an instinctive love of children combined with a
responsible character.
2. English skills and educational credentials are assessed.
3. We contact all of her previous employers and ask about her
performance as a nanny. Direct quotes from these discussions are
included in our gallery.
4. An immigration officer with the Canadian High Commission interviews
the nanny in person and verifies her references and education.
5. She undergoes a medical exam conducted by a Consulate/Commission approved doctor.
6. We obtain police clearance through her embassy confirming she has never been convicted of a criminal offense.
WHY DO YOU CHARGE A FEE OF $2500?
In the past, some employment agencies in Canada have charged overseas nannies extremely
high fees. Many of these women were from poor countries and
borrowed heavily for a chance to work abroad.
To spare nannies from exploitation, the Canadian government has now
made it mandatory for employers to bear the full cost of hiring a
nanny. This fee covers the cost of:
1. Interviewing the nannies in a foreign country.
2. Calling their references.
3. Assessing spoken and written language skills.
4. Advertising to find the best nannies.
5. Filing their visa application with the Canadian Consulate.
6. Filing additional documents with the Consulate when they are requested .
7. Guiding your nanny through her police and medical checks.
DO I HAVE TO BUY THE NANNY’S AIR TICKET?
Yes, as of April 1, 2010 employers across Canada will be required to
bear the full cost of recruiting a nanny. This includes airfare
from her country of residence.
The average cost of a ticket from Hong Kong is C$1400. Prices
range from C$900 to C$1900 depending on where you live in Canada.
You
will also be expected to pay the nanny's medical coverage for three
months while waiting for her provincial health coverage to take effect.
The employer is also responsible for enrolling the nanny in a
provincial worker's compensation scheme.
Read more about the changes to the Live-in Caregiver Program here:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/communications/lcpnewchanges.shtml
WILL I HAVE TO PAY A FEE BEFORE INTERVIEWING THE NANNIES?
No. You may interview as many as you like without obligation.
We will provide the phone numbers upon request. You may
also call the former employers of a nanny in which you are particularly
interested.
You only pay a fee if you decide to hire one of our nannies.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY NANNY TO ARRIVE?
Anywhere from three to five months from the day we file the first set of
papers
on your behalf. If you are pregnant we recommend you start your search for a nanny in the first trimester.
DOES THE EMPLOYER NEED TO MEET ANY REQUIREMENTS?
You must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident. Most foreign professionals in Canada on work visas also qualify.
You must have a full-time job.
Some provinces require proof you have advertised locally for a
nanny but have been unable to find a suitable candidate. We will tell you exactly where you need to advertise.
You must provide a separate room with a lock on the door for your nanny.
You must abide by Canadian labour laws and treat your nanny well!
A nanny does not have to remain with one employer once she is in
Canada. We will immediately remove a nanny from a client’s
home if there is evidence of abuse.
WHAT IF THINGS DO NOT WORK OUT WITH MY NANNY?
The contract we provide stipulates two weeks written notice (from either party) or you can pay your nanny two
weeks salary in lieu of notice.
Please see our guarantee in the "FEES”
section of this site. If things do not work out in the first
three months we will provide ONE replacement nanny and waive the
associated recruitment fees. Even though the agency fees will be
waived, the employer will still need to pay the processing fees
associated with the nanny's application and her airfare.
This
guarantee applies only if the nanny's performance has been
unsatisfactory. If your personal or professional circumstances change due to divorce,
job loss, etc. the offer of a free nanny within the first three months
will NOT apply.
If you let your nanny go for reasons unrelated to her performance we will help her
find a new job.
DISCLAIMERS
- Canada’s Best
Nannies is an introductory agency only. The responsibility of
selecting and employing a nanny rests entirely with the employer.
Canada's Best Nannies is in no way liable for the behavior
of the employer or the nanny. These conditions will be clearly noted on
every contract signed by both the employer and the nanny.
- Canada's Best Nannies will
not be responsible for any damages, expenses, injury or loss of life
caused by the behavior or negligence of the the nanny.
- Canada's Best Nannies is
not responsible if a nanny submits incorrect or false information
during the application process. Applicants are solely responsible for
the accuracy of information submitted.
- Personal information about nannies is available on the Internet via our website and is not considered confidential.
- The employer is fully
responsible for the deduction and payment of applicable provincial and
federal taxes associated with the nanny's wages.
MORE ABOUT THE LIVE-IN CAREGIVER PROGRAM
Canada’s Live-In Caregiver Program now allows nannies to apply
for permanent residency in Canada. That makes our beautiful country an
attractive destination for the best nannies in the world.
Nannies wishing to move to Canada must meet certain educational and
health requirements. For more on Canada’s Live-in Caregiver
program visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/caregiver/index.asp
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Copyright © canandasbestnannies.com 2007
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