The Nanny Chase

The Modern Parents’ Conundrum

Julia returned to work a couple of weeks ago, after being on maternity leave. Benjamin is now in daycare and Julia is finding it very difficult to juggle her schedule, and Benjamin's schedule to accommodate the rigorous pick-up times set by her daycare centre. Not to mention that in order to make it to work on time in the morning, she must drop one year old Benjamin off at the daycare centre at 7 am. She is charged an extra fee each evening that she arrives after 6 pm. Daycare is turning out to be more expensive than she had anticipated, and 11 hours is a very long day for Benny too.

For the last 5 years, Nicki, a single mother, worked to upgrade her education at night. Her hard work paid off in a huge promotion. Nicki is now an up-and-coming executive within her firm. Nicki never had to worry about childcare before, because she had her mother looking after her young son. But things have changed. Nicki's mother recently had a stroke and is no longer able to care for the boy. Nicki must now find care not just for her son but also for her ailing mother.

Kendra and Stephen are young professionals who are very excited, if not a little scared, about becoming first-time parents. They are expecting twins in a couple of months. They have agreed that Kendra will stay at home with the twins for the first 6 months and Stephen will put his career on the backburner for the latter 6 months. With new twins, they will need the double income, as well as an extra set of hands.

I'm sure you've heard similar stories. Or perhaps you are currently facing a similar challenge: to whom will you entrust the care of your children when you return to work? In today's world, very few families can afford the luxury of having one partner give up his or her career, not to mention income, to be a stay-at-home parent. With mortgages/rent to pay, car payments to make, and food and clothing to buy, both parents must work out of sheer financial necessity.

Finding an appropriate caregiver for your children is one of the hardest and most important decisions you'll ever have to make. Although there are many excellent daycare centres, millions of families across Canada must face a commute to and from work everyday - which makes daycare a difficult option for both the parents and the children. Many more Canadian families are choosing to hire live-in caregivers as the only viable option for their childcare needs.

Well-known myths about live-in care just don't hold true any more. Let us dispel some of these myths for you:

Myth #1: Live-in nannies are only for the rich.

When you consider that the cost of a live-in nanny is often equivalent to, or less than the cost of having two kids in daycare, it's a no-brainer. Not only do live-in nannies provide one-on-one care to your child, many nannies also do light housekeeping and assist in meal preparation. But the most compelling benefit of having a live-in nanny is that you can go to work knowing that your child is in caring hands without having the stress of having to run to, and from, daycare centres to meet stringent pick-up/drop-off times.

So how much does it cost to have a live-in nanny? Rosanne De Lio from Family Ties Canada Inc., a caregiver placement agency operating in the Greater Toronto Area, says that, "While the cost of live-in care varies slightly depending on the job requirements, we have found that families can find outstanding nannies for $900 to $1000 (net) per month. The cost of live-in care is a little more expensive if you're looking for eldercare support, but it's still a lot more affordable, both financially and emotionally, than putting a loved one in a nursing home." Rosanne goes on to explain that there are also some excellent tax advantages of having a live in-caregiver. "We're finding that many of our clients are hiring live-in nannies even though their children are older, i.e. 10 or 11 years old. When you consider that you can have a caregiver, housekeeper, and cook all rolled into one, and that you can claim these costs as childcare expenses on your income tax return, this becomes a very attractive option."

Myth #2: With live-in care, your child won't socialize with other children.

With live-in care, your child obviously won't be exposed to large groups of children as they would in daycare, but nor will they be exposed to germs and illnesses that often spread in large groups of children. Nevertheless, as the employer you can ensure that your child is appropriately socialized with other children by clearly stating your requirements to your nanny. Trips to the park and participation in "programs" or playgroups will ensure that your child is socializing with other children. Both your child and your nanny benefit from contact with other children and adults outside of your home.

Myth #3: Hiring a live-in nanny is too complicated.

In hiring a live-in nanny, you become the employer and must register as such. If you are looking to hire a live-in nanny from overseas, there is some government paperwork that needs to be completed. If you find this task too daunting, you may want to retain the services of a caregiver placement agency. For an affordable fee, a reputable agency will not only interview, screen and help select the right nanny for you, they will also take on the responsibility of ensuring that all the necessary paperwork is properly completed and processed. Additionally, many reputable employment agencies will also include a CPR and First Aid course, and security and police clearance reports for their caregivers, in their placement fee.

Myth #4: If I hire a live-in nanny, and I am not happy with the relationship - I am stuck!

As with any employment relationship, there is always a risk that you will not be happy with the care provided by your live-in nanny. Because you have signed an employment contract with the nanny, you may feel trapped. Or, since you don't have another nanny in your back pocket, you may feel that you have no choice but to continue the relationship. In actual fact, a family who feels that their nanny is not meeting expectations can terminate the employment relationship at any time. Many reputable caregiver placement agencies will offer families a guarantee to find you a more appropriate replacement nanny, at no extra charge, within a reasonable time period.

Live-in nannies aren't for everyone. You have to be comfortable sharing your home and the responsibility of rearing your children with a stranger. You have to have the space for a separate, private bedroom that the nanny can claim has her own. But if you are considering hiring a live-in nanny, you'll need to plan ahead.

Since many live-in nannies often come from overseas, you will need to allow enough time, usually 3 to 4 months, for them to complete the immigration and visa process. And, because most of these live-in nannies are overseas, you should seriously consider retaining the services of a placement agency. Having a skilled recruiter find the right nanny for your family can be invaluable. The most reputable agencies are those that work closely with you to truly understand your needs. They are also the agencies that personally interview potential nannies, which means they are often travelling overseas, to conduct face-to-face interviews and thorough reference checks. For foreign caregivers, all security clearances are handled through the immigration process. So if you are looking to hire a live-in caregiver who is already in Canada, make sure that your placement agency also undertakes Canadian security clearances as part of their fee.

Family Ties Canada Inc. is such an agency. This caregiver placement agency was born out of compassion for those in need and a deep desire to help the families that care about them. Family Ties Canada Inc. provides highly personalized service to ensure that all full time and part time caregiver placements are made with heart. Whether you are in need of a highly qualified nanny to assist you in caring for your children, or a dedicated caregiver who will provide safe and compassionate care to your elderly or disabled family members, Family Ties Canada Inc. can help. For more information about Family Ties Canada, please visit their website at www.familytiescanada.com.