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.



DO I HAVE TO BUY THE NANNY’S AIR TICKET?

No, nannies will book and pay for thier own air tickets.  We will provide the nanny with the date you are able to collect her at the airport and advise her on route restrictions.  We will then forward her flight details to you.

Most nannies fly stand-by which means the exact arrival time is usually not confirmed until the last minute.  This can sometimes make it difficult for employers to collect their nannies at the airport.  When you hire a nanny, you will be offered three options.


OPTION 1: Employer pays. The employer agrees to book and pay for the ticket as soon as the visa is obtained. The nanny is e-mailed a copy of the itinerary and arrives in Canada as scheduled.  This is the best option if you need your nanny to arrive on a specific date.

OPTION 2: Employer pays upfront, nanny pays employer back in installments. The employer books the ticket when the visa is obtained and the nanny pays the employer back for the ticket, in installments, after her arrival.  This allows the nanny to arrive promptly and allows the nanny to pay for the ticket once in Canada where her salary is much higher.
 
OPTION 3: Nanny pays & flies stand-by. For employers who are flexible on the arrival date, the nanny is issued her visa and flies out on the soonest possible stand-by ticket.  Please be aware that all nannies will choose this option as it is the most inexpensive, but as they are flying standby, it will take an undetermined number of days before a seat becomes available.
 
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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.



WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH MY NANNY'S APPLICATION?   WILL I LOSE THE MONEY I HAVE PAID IN FEES?

Absolutely not.  In the unlikely event your nanny is not granted a work permit we will give you a full refund.

This is highly unlikely as we only represent applicants with the most experience and the best English skills.  We also require all of our nannies to have their university/college transcripts validated by the Commission for Higher Education in their home country before we agree to represent them.

Simply put - we  do not represent nannies who are unlikely to make it through the interview process.  This would be a tremendous waste of our clients' time.



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.


 

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	$8.25	$288.75	$10.96	$5.00	$50.00	$254.71
Newfoundland & Labrador	$8.50	$297.50	$11.39	$7.21	$75.00	$241.10
Nova Scotia	$8.60	$280.00	$10.53	$4.84	$59.80	$235.57
Ontario	$10.00	$350.00	$13.99	$6.06	$85.25	$284.80
Prince Edward Island	$8.20	$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.

SOME NANNY AGENCIES DO NOT CHARGE EMPLOYERS A FEE.  WHY DO YOU CHARGE $1500?

Some employment agencies in Canada charge overseas nannies extremely high fees. Many of these women are from poor countries and borrow heavily for a chance to work abroad.

We charge the nannies the absolute lowest rates of any agency – Canadian or otherwise – recruiting in Asia.  Most nannies approach us first because if we agree to represent them they save thousands of dollars.

We get first pick of the best nannies. That is what our clients pay for - they know they are getting the best.

Our nannies are not stressed about paying back loans when they arrive in Canada.  They are better able to focus on their jobs and adjust to their new lives.



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 replace your nanny free of charge.  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.



DO YOU PLACE CAREGIVERS FOR THE ELDERLY?

Occasionally.  We specialize in nannies but every once in awhile we come across a caregiver for the elderly who has the perfect educational background (usually a nursing degree) and exceptional references.  Such candidates are listed in our gallery when available.

If you need a caregiver for an elderly family member we would be happy to recommend a reputable agency.  



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