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Au pair, Caregiver, Child Care Professional
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Interest in assisting to care for children in employers' residences; and to tend to the emotional well-being of children; may reside in employers' homes
Interest in handling to prepare and serve meals; to prepare formulas and change diapers for infants; and to perform other housekeeping duties; may be required to keep records of daily activities and health information regarding each child
Interest in copying employers' instructions to plan and oversee children's activities such as meals and rest periods; to discipline children according to the methods requested by the parent; to take children to and from school and to appointments; to maintain a healthy environment in the home; and in organizing activities such as games and outings to provide amusement and exercise
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Nannies’ duties vary depending on the household and the number and age of children. In general, they:
Nannies also may keep records that include daily observations about each child, and information about activities, meals served and medications administered. Nannies usually receive instructions from their employers but often work with little supervision.
Child care is physically demanding work, frequently requiring lifting children and equipment weighing up to 20 kilograms. Nannies are on their feet most of the time.
Hours of work may vary and may require split shifts or weekends. Domestic employees (defined as persons employed to do work in the employer’s residence, for the care, comfort and convenience of members of that residence ) are exempt from overtime compensation or restrictions on maximum daily and weekly hours of work. For more details, see Domestic employees – Employment standards exceptions.
The work also can be emotionally demanding. Some nannies live in the same residence with their employers; others return to their own homes evenings and weekends. Live-in nannies have their own furnished rooms or suites but may be subject to restrictions regarding telephone calls, visitors or time away from home.
Nannies sometimes travel with the employing family on vacations. In some cases, live-in nannies have their health care premiums paid, are included in the family’s club memberships or are allowed personal use of a family vehicle.
Nannies need:
A valid driver’s license and clean driving record may also be required, in order to run errands and take the children places. First aid and CPR training is also an asset. If any of the children in care have some sort of disability, special needs training may also be required. In some cases, knowing a second language may be an asset.
They should enjoy working with children, organizing meal preparation and housekeeping duties, and overseeing children’s activities.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 15, 2021 and Jul 24, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Supervise and care for children | 99 |
|---|---|
| Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the home | 99 |
| Prepare and serve nutritious meals | 96 |
| Tend to emotional well-being of children | 89 |
| Organize, activities such as games and outings for children | 86 |
| Instruct children in personal hygiene and social development | 86 |
| Discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents | 85 |
| Perform light housekeeping and cleaning duties | 82 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 74 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 74 |
There are no standard education requirements for nannies. Some employers consider related experience and the ability to care for children, cook, clean and get along well with others more important than formal education.
However, most families require job applicants to have a high school diploma or a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Character references usually are requested and some employers require police clearance. First aid certification and CPR training, and courses related to child care and child development are definite assets.
To ensure that those who apply for permanent residence in Canada will be able to succeed in the general labour market, federal legislation requires that live-in foreign nannies have the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma, and either 6 months of caregiving training or a year of caregiving experience in the 3 years prior to application. For information about the program and live-in nannies’ rights and responsibilities, see the Government of Canada’s Live-in Caregiver Program website.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Nannies are employed by private individuals and agencies.
Nannies may move into other personal service jobs, such as home support aide or residential care aide. For more information, see the Health Care Aide occupational profile. Experienced nannies with the required business skills may open day cares in their homes, or start their own placement agencies.
Nannies are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4411: Home child care providers. In Alberta, 97% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4411: Home child care providers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 188 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Nannies employed in a private dwelling and who live primarily in their employer’s home are called domestic employees under the Alberta Employment Standards Code. As domestic employees, live-in nannies are entitled to a monthly minimum wage rather than an hourly minimum wage. (As of June 26, 2019, Alberta’s minimum monthly wage for domestic employees is $2,848 per month. For more information, see Minimum Wage and Domestic employees – Employment standards exceptions.)
Government of Canada website, Live-in Caregiver Program: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/caregiver-program.html
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated May 19, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.