Recently the federal government introduced some new regulations regarding the Live-in Caregiver Program to be implemented as of April 1, 2010. As owner operator or a nanny agency for the last 30 years, Paragon Personnel Ltd., I wonder if this was a pure coincidence that they chose this April fool’s day for the change….

If the Government is trying to eliminate exploitation of foreign worker in Canada, it has done absolutely nothing to achieve its goals. In fact, it just overburdened its own citizens with no help to the workers. Single parents, seniors and low income families are now told that they must pay thousands of dollars more for the same service with no expectation for a return on their investment. Moreover, I asked Immigration Canada what protection do employers have against caregivers who desert their employer a short time after their arrival in Canada for no good reason. The answer was: “you have to take your own risk…”

So, you offer a job to a foreign worker, you pay the agency fee, the air fare for your nanny, 3 months medical coverage insurance. You wait 5 months for her arrival, you met all conditions agreed upon in your employment contract, and you did everything as required.  But, unfortunately you live in a small town and the nanny wants to be in the big city so she tells you: “I am sorry but …” and you have no power to enforce your contract or get your money back.

Well, thank you Minister Kenny, you have done a great service to the foreigners and a very lousy one to your fellow Canadians. This may be April fools, honorable Minister, but we are no fools.

                          

Trust and recognition.

Paragon Personnel Ltd. has achieved a high standard in delivering its
services during the last 29 years and was successful in building a good
reputation among thousands of clients over the years. This nanny agency is a
member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of the lower mainland in B.C. The BBB
is recognized as an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high
standards for fair and honest business practices.

Paragon Personnel Ltd. has been a BBB Accredited business since January
1984. That is to say that it supports and accepts BBB’s standards for ethics
and integrity and meets the BBB Accreditation standards. Based on BBB files,
this business has a Rating of A+ (Click here for more information)

Most recently, Paragon Personnel Ltd. was congratulated for 25 years of
accreditation with the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau. The BBB
reliability report indicates that this company meets their standards of
ethics and has no consumer complaints registered during all these years.

                          

The letter of Agreement Nanny-Employer states the terms you negotiate with your caregiver.

In this letter you may want to pinpoint the terms that suit your family and the nanny that you want to hire.

This Agreement is entered into as of _______ between ___________(hereinafter known as Family), and_______  (hereinafter referred to as Nanny) shall be in force for one year from the date of signature of both parties. Family and Nanny hereby agree to a one-year employment commitment unless Nanny is terminated for cause. Both parties agree to give at lease two (2) weeks notice before job termination unless Nanny is terminated for cause.

Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

Family and Nanny agree to the following conditions of employment:

1. Employment.
Employment will begin on ________ and is considered “at will”. Nanny is to provide childcare services and other duties as set forth below.

2. Work Schedule.
Nanny will provide childcare from ___ A.M. to ___ P.M., from Monday through Friday. During these hours, Nanny shall devote (his/her) entire time, attention and energies to providing care and performing other duties as listed below.
3. Compensation.
Family shall pay Nanny and Nanny hereby accepts in full payment for services:

• An (hourly rate of  _____) (monthly salary of  _____) which shall be paid (weekly/bimonthly/monthly) on the _____ day(s) of (week/month).
• Overtime compensation (specify).
• Performance-based increase after  (6 months/one year).

4. Probationary Period.
Family and Nanny agree that there shall be a probationary period of ___ days. During this period either party can terminate this Agreement by giving ___ days notice.

5. Termination.
The following are grounds for immediate termination with cause:

• Allowing the children’s safety to be compromised
• Inconsistent or non performance of agreed upon job responsibilities
• Dishonesty or lying to Family
• Stealing
• Breach of confidentiality clause
• Unapproved guests
• Smoking or consumption of alcohol while on duty
• Illegal drug use

Nanny’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated upon one of more of the following:

• By Family or Nanny for due cause upon 24 hours notice. “Due cause” is defined as breach of a material term of this Agreement.
• By Family without cause upon  ___ weeks notice, or in lieu of ___ weeks notice, ___ weeks salary.
• By Nanny upon ___ weeks notice.
• By Nanny’s total disability or partial disability which renders Nanny unable to perform services for more than ___ weeks.

6. Childcare responsibilities.
(Choose the ones that suit you and the Nanny you hire).

Nanny agrees to:

• Put the absolute safety of the children first before all other responsibilities
• Provide care, warmth, and security in the absence of parents.
• Plan activities that promote physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development
• Maintain a patient, cheerful, and helpful attitude while on duty.
• Actively participate in the children’s special problems and interests and serve as a resource for problem solving.
• Tend to children’s basic needs such as bathing, dressing, changing diapers, brushing teeth, and afternoon naps.
• Administer medicine to children as directed by Family.
• Plan and prepare nutritious snacks and meals for children during scheduled hours; clean up kitchen and dining table when completed.
• Participate and supervise activities with children, which would include: games, walks, play dates, playground outings and reading to children daily.
• Limit television/video and computer games to ___ minutes per day.
• Comply with Family’s discipline and child-rearing preferences.
• Provide reasonable flexibility in times of emergency or unexpected schedule changes.
• Keep the children’s bedrooms and play area clean and organized; which includes making the beds, vacuuming carpet, cleaning and disinfecting toys, etc.
• Clean children’s laundry (clothes and bed linens).
• Use Family automobile to drive children to activities and events.
• Meal preparation for Family.
• Feed and care for Family pets-daily.
• Grocery shopping.
• Make bed- entire home.
• Clean kitchen and empty dishwasher-daily.
• Clean interior windows and mirrors: bi-monthly.
• Clean, dust and vacuum entire house: bi-monthly.
• Clean Family’s laundry-weekly.
• Run errands – dry-cleaning, bank deposit, grocery store, etc. when necessary.

7. CPR and First Aid.

• Nanny agrees to complete an infant/child CPR and First Aid class prior to beginning employment or within ___ weeks of employment.
• If Nanny does not successfully complete CPR and First Aid class, Family may terminate Nanny without severance pay or notice.
• Family (will/will not) pay for approved CPR and First Aid class.

8. Personal Background Check.

• Nanny agrees to complete the official fingerprint process through British Columbia Police  Department.
• If the Personal Background Check indicates any record of criminal activity Family may terminate Nanny without severance pay or notice.
• Family will pay for fingerprint procedure and Personal Background Check fees.

9. Benefits.

• Holidays.
  Nanny shall receive the statutory holidays as paid vacation if nanny would otherwise be required to work on that day of the week.
• Sick Days.
  ___ days of paid sick leave will be allowed every year, accrued at the rate of  ___ hours per month.
• Vacation.
  ___ week(s) of paid vacation will be allowed every calendar year (check as applicable):
  • _______ To be coordinated with Family’s vacation
  • _______ After ____ months of employment
  • _______ Other

10. Evaluations.

Nanny’s job performance will be evaluated by Family at the end of the first month of employment and every ___ months thereafter.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties agree that they have read and signed this Agreement as of the day and year written above.

FAMILY:                                                                     CAREGIVER:
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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When families decide to have a nanny in their home, they think about what it means to have a new person on her own with their children. They think about the changes that will take place and how the kids will accept the stranger. In most cases, a nanny is not hired for a short term. Parents don’t like to change nannies and the nannies don’t like to change families. In many cases the children get attached to the nanny and she is considered a part of the family.
Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

If a family does not need a nanny on regular basis but only for a few hours sporadically, then a babysitter will be more appropriate then a nanny full-time. The question is where to look for a babysitter when your needs are for only a short period of time knowing that is not easy to have the same person babysitting whenever is required.

One should try as many ways as possible including friends’ and relatives’ referrals, newspapers and bulletin board advertisements and not in the least, domestic help agencies, especially those specialized in nannies. Although, a nanny or domestic help agency will ask you for a fee for finding a babysitter, the advantage is that the agency will do the screening process and if the babysitter is not available, the agency will provide a substitute for her.

Regardless of the screening done by the nanny agency, you should interview the baby-sitter at your home so you will have a better sense about the interaction with your kids and if they will feel comfortable with her at home.

Some questions to ask of potential babysitters:

1. How would you make sure that my child does not play with dangerous objects or swallow poisons?
2. Have you ever taken care of an injured child? What would you do if my child fell off a swing? How would you decide when to call an ambulance?
3. What would you do if there were an emergency in the house like a fire or a gas leak?
4. Do you plan to have children of your own? What do you like about children/
5. Have you ever taken care of your younger brothers or sisters? What do you dislike about children?
6. What would you do if my child complained that he was bored?
7. Tell me how you plan to spend the day (evening) while you are caring for my child?
8. If my child broke an expensive object in the house or refused to eat her dinner, what would you do?
9. What do you feel are your main duties as a babysitter?

The following are tips on choosing and orienting a babysitter:

• Choose babysitters who demonstrates knowledge of how to prevent injuries. They should have taken first aid training or a babysitting course that includes first aid. The Canadian Red Cross Society offers these types of courses.
• Orient a new babysitter to your home. Show the babysitter the first aid supplies, emergency telephone numbers, the escape plan in case of fire and how to control heat, stove, lights and fuse box.
• Be clear about activities and areas that are off limits to children.
• Leave the telephone number where you will be and the number of a neighbour who could be of assistance in an emergency.
• After the children are put to bed, the sitter should check each of them once an hour. Make it clear that the babysitter should not sleep.
• The babysitter should not be allowed to entertain friends. He or she is hired to do a job and should not be distracted.
• The telephone should not be used for personal calls. It is for emergency use only.
• The babysitter should know what the child is doing at all times.
• If possible, avoid asking babysitters to give medicine. If you must, give them careful instructions.
• Babysitters should not smoke. Smoking is a fire and health hazard. Smoke may cause or worsen children’s colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis.
• Babysitters should not be expected to do chores. Their concerns is for the safety of the child.
• Check out your babysitters thoroughly. Make unscheduled visits home until you are sure you can trust them.

Before you leave home give to your babysitters a written list of the chores needed for your child’s well being, instructions, everyday telephone numbers, phone numbers to be used in case of emergency.

Here is a sample information sheet you can leave with your babysitter:

INFORMATION FOR BABYSITTERS

Parents Names:________________________

The House Address:_____________________

The Phone Number of the House:___________

Mother’s Work Phone:____________________

Mother’s Mobile Phone:___________________

Father’s Work Phone:_____________________

Father’s Mobile Phone:____________________

Neighbour’s or Relative’s Name:______________

Neighbour’s or Relative’s Phone Number:______

Child’s Bedtime:__________________________

Mealtime Instructions:_____________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Special Instructions:______________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Fire:_________________________________911
Police:________________________________911
Ambulance:____________________________911
Poison Control Center:______________________

Doctor’s Name:____________________________

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A part-time nanny is required when parents need help with the care of the children for less than 40 hours a week. For example, care for the children before or after school, or when a parent is working from home and a nanny is needed to watch the children only for a few hours a day. Even for a stay at home mom, a part-time nanny is ideal when she needs time for herself to run errands or go to the gym, to mention just a few. In general, a part-time nanny hourly salary is higher than the full time one. Consider the following:

1. The cost and the time consuming transportation to and from the employer’s home is the same for either case. However, the ratio between time consumed and daily income is much less favorable for the part time nanny.
2. Job security is at a lower level for part-timers as conditions may change more often
3. More flexibility is required to meet the employer’s changing schedule.

Because of these and other factors, it is considered a lot harder to find a suitable part-time nanny.

Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

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If you are looking for a nanny job, PARAGON Personnel Ltd. can assist you in your job search as we specialize in placing nannies with families all over BC.

Contact us at 604-298-6633 so we can find out some information about you – your background, current and previous childcare experience. Please specify if you are looking for a Live-in position or Live-out – Full Time, Part Time or Temporary.

You will be asked to come for a personal interview at our office. Please bring your resume and reference letters from your previous employers. If you are not a Canadian citizen, you are also required to bring your passport for identification and verification of your legal status in Canada.

PARAGON Personnel Ltd. will conduct a background screening to check your employment history.
When completed, we will arrange for interviews with our clients. During your interview, it is important to ask your prospective employer about your duties, responsibilities, work schedule and salary offered. You may also discuss issues like overtime compensation, medical insurance and/or any other relevant information regarding the position.
Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

Once all issues are discussed and agreed upon, we will provide a contract of employment for both sides to sign and keep one copy of the signed document. If you are under the Live-In Caregiver Program, we will initiate all procedures required to obtain a new work permit for you through Human Resources and Immigration Canada.

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In the last decade, many nanny agencies came to life like mushrooms after the rain. Only a few of those are still around but new ones keep coming and vanishing at an alarming rate. Some of these agencies owners came to Canada as nanny and later decided to put their “own shingle” and bring other nannies into Canada. Usually they operate out of their own basement, no professionalism, no license, no labor code. In some cases they offer their service free of charge to anyone willing to select their candidates. That should make you wonder: Where does their money is coming from? This fact alone should set the alarm bells ringing and the red lights blinking.

A few rules of thumb to remember when you are looking for a nanny agency:

• How long have they been operating? Are they operating from their own home?
• Are they members of Better Business Bureau?
• How do they find their candidates, locally and overseas? What is their screening process? What requirements the nannies must meet?For instance: in person interviews, childcare experience, first aid, CPR, etc.
• Do they have complete files of their applicants? What training / work experience they have?
• What if the selected nanny doesn’t work out?
• Who takes care of all documents and procedures?
• Does the service include support after the nanny starts working?
• Is there a contract / agreement between client and agency?
• Is there any obligation on the client side if no candidate is selected?

For the majority of employers who hired a nanny before, these questions are not new. For the new ones, all these questions are very relevant. It’s best if you follow one simple rule before you start your search:

“Investigate before you invest!”

Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

nanny

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According to Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, “a nanny is a person who looks after the child or children of one family in their — the child’s — home. Modern nannies may live in or out, like other domestic workers, depending on their circumstances and those of their employers.

A nanny may perform tasks such as:

* Providing childcare during the hours agreed upon with the employing family
* Supporting the physical, social, emotional, creative, and intellectual development of children
* Protecting children from harm and ensuring that they have a safe environment
* Preparing appetizing and nutritionally-balanced meals and snacks
* Maintaining good communication with the parents, informing them of each child’s development and concerns
*Maintaining the cleanliness and neatness of the house as affected by the children”

The same source a Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, defines au pair as “an Anglicization of the French term “au pair,” which means “on par” or “equal to” and describes a young person living on an equal basis with a host family in a foreign country. The au pair helps the family with childcare, housework, or both while staying as a guest of the family and generally receiving a small allowance (or pocket money). An au pair will typically be a young woman, or sometimes a young man, who is accepted into the host family as an extended family member. Both the family and au pair are expected to respect cultural differences and display tolerance towards one another.
Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

Arrangement
An au pair placement is an arrangement where an unmarried person between 17 and 30 years old lives for up to two years in a foreign country as a member of a local family, helping in the home for a set number of hours a day, often with at least two full days off per week. In return, they receive a reasonable allowance and a private room.
Treatment
An au pair shall be treated as an equal part of the family, not as a servant, and shall not be required to wear a uniform. There can be misunderstandings on both sides about what this means. The usual practice is that Au pairs eat with the family most of the time, and join in some of the usual family activities such as outings and trips. However, host families normally expect to have some private time to themselves, particularly in the evenings. During this time, an Au pair might retire to his or her room to watch TV or study, or go out with friends.

Being an Au pair can be a great opportunity to experience a different country and culture. The “job” of the Au pair will vary depending on how much the host family expects, although there are government set limits as to how much you are allowed to work. Jobs vary from taking/picking up kids from school, taking the kids to after school classes, cooking, cleaning, ironing, babysitting,etc. The au-pair is given a monthly allowance and all living/insurance/food expenses are paid by the host family.”

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Whether you are considering a live-in nanny or a live-out nanny, full-time or part-time, you must develop a “job description” before you venture into the actual search. You also need to prepare a balanced plan between responsibilities and expectations from the newly hired nanny.
Do you have more questions? Visit our Forum: CAREGIVERS in CANADA.

Usually, the nanny’s duties include: care for the children, housework and meal preparations. The priority in performing these duties is pretty much set by the children’s age and your personal preference.

Many parents will ask the nanny to concentrate on the child (baby, infant, toddler): to talk to, play with or go for a walk in the park rather then the household chores. Therefore, it is imperative to outline and discuss in details (during the interview) the role and the duties of the nanny, as you see them.

For the nanny position to be more attractive, you have to think of a balanced package to offer your new recruit. A fair compensation for the nanny‘s efforts includes a fair wages based on her personal experience and the going market rate, a medical insurance coverage and some extras on major holidays (Christmas, etc.)

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