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


 

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