Need a Nanny - FAQ

How long does it take?
The process takes between 3-6 months depending on where the caregiver is coming from the back log at Service Canada.

Reviewing, screening and interviewing the candidates takes about two weeks. After that, all caregivers must be approved by Service Canada before they apply for a work visa. Approval takes about 2-3 weeks. Once it's received, the employee uses it and her employment contract to apply for a work visa. The time it takes Immigration Canada to issue this work visa also varies. Hong Kong applications take between 3 and 6 months.

What experience and training do the candidates possess?
In order to be eligible to become a live-in caregiver in Canada the caregivers must have either attended a six-month, full-time caregiver program or they must have at least one year of nanny or related experience. All caregivers represented by Nannies from Heaven exceed these qualifications. Nannies with our company either possess both training and experience or many years' experience as caregivers. Caregivers are also required by Immigration Canada to possess 72 units of education; in some countries this means a high school certificate, in others they must also attend a post-secondary institution in order to acquire their 72 units.

What kind of hours can my caregiver work? Can she work only part-time? Can we ask the caregiver to baby-sit in the evenings?
The live-in caregiver program is for full-time care. The caregiver's salary is based on a work week of 44 hours per week. These hours may be flexible (not necessarily 9 - 5 each day) but some predictability is only fair to the caregiver. Your caregiver may work fewer hours but you must still pay her the same monthly salary.

Your caregiver may baby-sit for you if she agrees to.  You must compensate her at a mutually agreed-upon rate or provide her with time off in lieu. Please keep in mind that any time the caregiver is required to be on your premises, to be on-call (even while sleeping) or to accompany you somewhere, she is considered to be working and is entitled to compensation.

Can I talk to the candidate before I hire her?
Yes. After you have been presented with a selection of candidates, telephone interviews will be arranged for you. In addition, we provide you with a videoclip or video conference to give you a better sense of the candidates' personality.

What kind of commitment is involved in hiring a nanny from overseas?
Both parties have to sign a one-year contract specifying wages, hours of work and job duties. At the end of the year the contract may be terminated or renewed for another year.

What are the consequences if the caregiver is found to be unsuitable after a short period of time in Canada?
If the family chooses to terminate the contract early, they must provide the caregiver with either two weeks' notice or the equivalent in compensation.

In this situation the caregiver has two options. She can return to her country of origin, or she can look for a new employer in Canada. The process of finding and changing to a new employer is quite lengthy so we recommended that families give the caregiver as much notice as possible.

What kind of accommodation does the caregiver require?
Your caregiver must have at least one private room in your home with a lock on it. She must have access to a bathroom, but it may be shared. You will of course want to make your caregiver's living quarters as comfortable as possible.

Will my caregiver be able to drive?
A few candidates do know how to drive, but would need to become accustomed to roads in Canada. Our Ecuadorean candidates are more likely to have driver's licences. Others are willing to take driver education courses and apply for their drivers' license once they are settled in.

What about health care and workers' compensation?
In Alberta, foreign workers are covered from the day they arrive in Alberta. When your caregiver arrives, you must take them to apply for their SIN number, then take that documentation to the Alberta Health Care office. Alberta Health Care will immediately issue your caregiver an Alberta Health card.

You are not obligated to pay your caregiver's health care premiums but most employers offer this benefit.

Additional coverage, should you choose to offer it, can be obtained from Blue Cross for fairly reasonable rates.