How to become a caregiver or Nanny In Canada The caregiver or nanny profession is considered a priority in Canada, but in order to successfully immigrate and start working, you need to know how to do it correctly. Moving to Canada as a nanny is becoming an increasingly popular form of relocation, with the government pushing for an influx of new professionals in the field. By 2023, more than 1,500 foreign nannies are expected to be admitted through the federal immigration program alone, and a total of 6,000 home-based care professionals will be given a chance at life in Canada. This relocation option also provides an attractive opportunity for you and your family to become permanent residents in a relatively short period of time. As of 2020, 2,900 members of this profession have already become permanent residents of Canada. You can join them for years to come and we’ll tell you how to do it.
Nanny Olga Romanchenko can help you figure it out how to become a caregiver or nanny in canada. She moved to Canada from Ukraine 3 years ago, has worked as a nanny for the same family all this time and is happy to share her experience.
With this article you will learn:
- the salary level of Canadian nannies;
- employment requirements;
- options for immigrating to Canada as a nanny;
- Advice from a practicing nanny;
- resources for finding a job as a nanny in Canada.
Bonus! Sample CV and cover letter for a successful job as a nanny in Canada.
NANNY SALARY IN CANADA
The income level of nannies in Maple Leaf country depends on several factors: the average rate in the area, experience, qualifications, number of children and their ages, time and duration of work, additional services provided by the nanny such as cooking, cleaning and others.
But there are averages to guide you. According to official information, nannies in Canada earn $14 CAD per hour. In comparison, in Russia and Ukraine, in terms of Canadian money, the average nanny salary is $3 CAD per hour.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Getting a nanny job in Canada is easier than finding work in many other areas, but there are still requirements you need to meet.
AGE
There is no age limit for caring for children in Canada; from the age of majority and if you meet the basic conditions, you are eligible to provide professional child care services.
EDUCATION
You don’t need to have a college degree in this profession, but you do need to have completed your school curriculum. Of course, a teaching qualification will increase your chances of qualifying for a higher salary, but you’re likely to get a job even without it.
OBTAINING ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATES
Special certifications can also affect successful employment, and in some cases it is a prerequisite. The main ones include:
- CPR/AED (confirms cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills);
- First Aid Certificate (proves first aid skill).
Your employer may also require other certifications, such as the Red Cross Water Safety, which certify that your child will be safe with you during your water activities. You can learn more about the certificates and options available on the Red Cross Canada website.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Having proven experience is a great job guarantee. All jobs can and should be listed on your CV, and it doesn’t have to be the exact same experience. Working at a children’s camp or as a tutor is also suitable, the more practice you have interacting with children the better your chances.
For many immigration programs, work experience is a prerequisite, read more about this below.
KNOWLEDGE OF LANGUAGES
Nannies working in Canada must understand at least one of the official languages (English or French). To qualify for immigration programs, your level must be at least 5 in the CLB system . This means you must score IELTS on the mandatory language test: Listening – 5.0, Reading – 4.0, Writing – 5.0 and Speaking – 5.0. To find out how to convert IELTS scores to CLB levels, see link.
THE STORY OF A PRACTICING NANNY
In 2018, Olga Romanchenko from the small Ukrainian town of Dolinska moved to Ontario through the Live-in Caregiver program. This program is already closed for applications, but Olga still had some universal tips that will be useful to many immigrants. She read the interview with the heroine to discover them.
Press: Hello Olga, can you tell us why you decided to move to Canada?
Olga: When I was a student, I really wanted to go to the US, I was interested in American culture. My parents didn’t let me go at the time, and when I grew up, they didn’t take me to the States anymore through the Aupair’s student nanny program. So, the closest country to my childhood dream was Canada, and with my experience a suitable program was found, which I moved to when I was 29 years old.
Press: Did you have any babysitting experience before you moved?
A: I am an English language and literature philologist by training. After graduation, I worked as a teacher in a village, gave private lessons, then was the principal of the school. In total, I have seven years of teaching experience. And that certainly helped. And letters of recommendation from my students’ parents also helped confirm my experience.
Press: What was your English level before you moved and how did you improve it?
A: I majored in foreign languages. But I still lacked practice in communicating with native speakers in Ukraine, so I looked further. I met foreigners online and prepared for the IELTS language test using textbooks. Now my level is Upper-Intermediate (above average). I thought that here I could speak English, but it didn’t work out. I work in a Russian-speaking family, so I only practice English on weekends outside of work.
Press: How did you find an employer?
A: I decided to initiate my move through an agency. They drafted a CV and sent it to Canadian babysitting places. An agency employee corresponded with potential employers on my behalf and then brought me in at a specific date and time for an interview. Employers also have their own customers from Ukraine, who were repeatedly asking for nannies. I had the second option. My employers have used the agency’s services before. The cost of agency services was US$5,000.00. They committed to finding an employer, writing a contract, doing everything legally correct, and advising me every step of the way. This amount does not include exams, medical examinations and minor expenses.
IT: Were there any difficulties you encountered during the immigration process?
A: The biggest challenge was finding an employer. I went through many interviews. There were three interviews a month and sometimes none in a year, so patience and motivation are very important in this process. By the way, about motivation, it must be clearly understood. When I first came to the agency for a consultation, I was asked: “Why do you want this? Answers like: “I want to see the world”, “to improve my English”, “I love children”, all this does not work, you have to have a clear understanding that you are going to Canada to live in. When there is an understanding that you are not going for a year, not for two years, but for life, all other immigration processes go by themselves.
Press: How long did the process take?
4 years ago. During this time, I passed the IELTS language test, got my driver’s license and found an employer. In March 2018 I met my family via Skype and in July I flew to Canada.
Press: Under what conditions did you start working in Canada?
A: After moving, I was paid the minimum hourly wage (each province in Canada has its own minimum rate). After the end of the contract (2 years) it is possible to revise the payment terms. I did it with my employers, they were happy with my work and the third year I got a pay raise.
Press: What advice would you give future nannies in Canada?
A: In the beginning, the hardest part is living in a foreign family. You are strangers to this family, so it takes time to get used to each other. The first year, it’s hard to adjust to the habits of the family you’re living with. This is probably why the most important piece of advice is to be patient.
Press: Have you ever regretted moving to Canada?
A: I don’t regret it one bit. I like everything about Canada. Friendly people (they say hello and smile on the street), beautiful nature (there are beautiful parks, beaches and many animals), social security (all kinds of programs, assistance and public benefits). It’s a country of opportunity, if you have your head on your shoulders and you’re willing to work, you can live well.
