The Live-in Carer program was set up by Employment and Immigration Canada in April 1992, to bring to Canada workers for live-in positions. Employees hired under this program are those who will provide childcare without supervision in a private household. This program was set up as there was a shortage of Canadians that were willing to provide live-in care.
How does Nannies Abroad™ help?
We work with a partner in Canada to send nannies through this program. Our branch in Canada go to a great deal of trouble to make sure the families are the type of family you would want to work for. This is a fantastic program if you are wanting to travel and gain more experience in the child care field. You will also have the right to apply for permanent residence status from within Canada, after you have completed two years of live-in care-giving employment. The minimum stay in Canada is 12 months, most contracts are for this length of time, and renewable for a further 12 months.
The job, family, duties etc..
Most families that employ a New Zealand Nanny are looking for someone that is organised, outgoing and independant. They are also looking for someone with a solid educational background in childcare, to provide their children with a caring, safe and stimulating environment.
To afford a nanny usually both parents are working full time, so you will be in sole charge of the children and in the running of the home. Your work week will be Monday to Friday, from approximately 7.30am to 5.30pm each day. This allows the parents time to get to work, put in an eight hour day and return home. You will be entitled to two weeks off per year and all statutory holidays.
Your child care duties will always come first, and they generally consist of helping the children clean up after themselves, doing their laundry, preparing them for school and driving them there, providing creative play experiences such as arts and crafts and helping them do their homework if necessary.
Housework is secondary and in most jobs you will only be expected to do light housekeeping and preparing the evening meals. If all the children are at school during the day, then you may be expected to do a few more domestic jobs. In addition to these duties you will be expected to keep the children entertained over the school holidays by taking them on outings etc. You will also usually be in charge of taking the children to dentist and doctor appointments.
Salary & Length of contracts
Salary ranges from approx. C$1000 to C$1,200 a month. This salary is the net amount after all taxes, room and board have been taken out. Taxes deducted are Canadian Pension Plan, Employment Insurance and Income Tax. The most you can be charged for room and board is $325 per month. The minimum wage is currently $8.00 an hour, but most families pay more for the right care-giver. You are provided with a private room.
You must pay for your own airfare there and back. Most families would like a nanny for a minimum of one year for obvious reasons. The majority of jobs are in Toronto or Vancouver where there is a great network of nannies from all over the world.
Accommodation
You will be provided with your own private living quarters, generally with your own bathroom and sometimes with some cooking facilities. Your room/suite will be furnished and in most cases you will be provided with extras like a TV, stereo or microwave. Your door will be lockable and do not hesitate to do so as children have a tendency to follow you on your off hours. You will think this is cute to start off with, but after a while will want time to do your own thing. Most positions would involve driving, and you may have use of a car for private use as well. Quite often the nannies bedroom is in a part of the house which is quite private, and separate from the rest of the family rooms.
Off Hours
You are free to do as you please in your off hours, and a lot of the time the family may let you borrow the car on a mutual agreement.
Download and complete an application form and checklist as well as a Police check application form (to be returned to us with your application). |
