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Nanny
Nannies care for children in private homes and provide for their social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.
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Avg. Salary N/A
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Avg. Wage N/A
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook above avg
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Employed 5,600
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Caregiver, Child Care Professional
NOC Codes
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:
- 2006 NOC: Nannies and Live-in Caregivers (6474.2)
- 2006 NOC-S: Babysitters, Nannies and Parents Helpers (G814)
- 2011 NOC: Home child care providers (4411)
- 2016 NOC: Home child care providers (4411)
Interest Codes
The Nanny is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Nannies and Live-in Caregivers
- SOCIAL
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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
- METHODICAL
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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
- directive
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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
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
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.
Duties
Updated Dec 15, 2016
Nannies' duties vary depending on the household and the number and age of children but, in general, they:
- supervise and guide children
- bath and dress infants and help children dress and wash
- sterilize bottles, prepare formulas and change diapers for infants
- plan and prepare nutritious meals for the children or others in the immediate family
- keep children's rooms and the household clean and tidy
- do the children's laundry and ironing
- organize age appropriate play activities
- take children to school and appointments
- supervise study periods and assist with homework
- support the emotional development and well being of the children in their care
- discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents
- perform light housekeeping duties as time allows.
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.
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 15, 2016
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.
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.
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Dec 15, 2016
Nannies need the following characteristics:
- a genuine interest in children
- physical stamina
- good judgment and the ability to work independently
- patience
- excellent interpersonal skills
- good oral and written communication skills.
They should enjoy working with children, organizing meal preparation and housekeeping duties, and overseeing children's activities.
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 15, 2016
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 six months of caregiving training or a year of caregiving experience in the three years prior to application. For information about the program and live-in nannies' rights and responsibilities, see Citizenship and Immigration Canada's The Live-in Caregiver Program webpage.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton City Centre
Grande Prairie Regional College
Grant MacEwan University
MCG - Red Deer
Medicine Hat College
Northern Lakes College
TLC-International Training Center for Caregiving Inc.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Dec 15, 2016
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Dec 15, 2016
Nannies are employed by private individuals and agencies.
Nannies may move into other personal service jobs such as home support aide or residential aide (for more information, see the Health Care Aide occupational profile). Experienced nannies who have the required business skills may become family day home operators or open 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:
- Other Services (PDF)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- size of the occupation.
Over 7,500 Albertans are employed in the Babysitters, nannies and parents' helpers occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 188 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As nannies form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for nannies.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Jun 26, 2019
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, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.) Alberta's minimum monthly wage for domestic employees is $2,316 per month.
Other Sources of Information
Updated Dec 15, 2016
The Live-in Caregiver Program webpage: www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/caregiver/index.asp
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Dec 01, 2009. 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.
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