Spanish Nanny in Canada

Spanish speaking Nanny in Canada

Spanish speaking nannies are becoming more and more popular in many areas of Canada. As Canada is the second largest country in the world by area, the country encompasses many different family needs and requirements throughout vastly different population centers. The common threads that run through the families in this country are the need for excellent childcare and the recognition that language skills are highly important. Canadians are used to seeing and hearing French and English as these are the official languages of the country, the next most logical language to learn is Spanish as Spanish is becoming the next most used language in North America.

The Canadian economy is among the strongest in the world and this has helped to put Canadians in the position to afford quality, professional childcare. This superior economic position also ensures that nannies working in Canada are protected and assured that they will be paid in a currency that is respected throughout the world. Further protection for Spanish nannies working in Canada is that the Canadian Federal and Provincial governments have laid out standards of employment that covers the ethical treatment of employees and salary and wages. These standards are enshrined as laws and were designed to protect both Canadian citizens and immigrant employees such as Spanish nannies.

A highly sought after Spanish nanny has the opportunity to work in the mild Pacific Coast, by the beautiful Rockies, in the prairies, the busy central commercial areas or the Maritimes…there is an area to suit all tastes! All these locations have families that are looking for Spanish nannies.

Depending on where in Canada a Spanish nanny chooses to work will often dictate or shape the types of families, accommodation, entertainment and work hours a nanny will experience. Working in busy downtown areas of the major cities may result in life in a high-rise apartment or condominium, where life in a suburban location of Toronto, Calgary or Montreal may result in a quitter, less hectic lifestyle. There are even opportunities to live on a farm or in a fishing village! When advertising your qualifications or reading and checking “nanny wanted” advertisements make sure that you are aware of the differences in locations! It is also an excellent idea for any potential nanny to aggressively advertise their Spanish language abilities along with their level of English as proficiency in English will make communications with employers much easier and will help to avoid any misunderstandings.

The Canadian government has a new program for overseas live in nannies and caregivers called the Live-in Caregiver Program that allows families to hire a foreign live-in caregiver, often called a nanny, when Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not available. Following are some of the information highlights for this program. A foreign live in nanny must: 

  • provide care on a full-time basis to children, under 18 years of age, elderly persons  or persons with    disabilities
  • live and work without supervision in the private household where the care is being provided 
  • meet the requirements set by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)/Service Canada for the LCP

Employers must ensure that:

  • the live-in caregiver being hired speaks, reads and understands at least one of Canada's official languages (English or French) 
  • Employers must ensure that the live-in caregiver being hired has:
  • successfully completed the equivalent of Canadian high school education or at least 6 months of full time training  or   has worked as a full time caregiver or in a related occupation for at least one year (including 6 months with the same employer) during the past 3 years

To take advantage of this program both employers and nannies need to get the full information package from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.