2. 2
Dear Future Host Parents,
Are you a busy parent looking for flexible and affordable one-on-one childcare in the comfort of your own
home? Do you need help with childcare related household duties? Are you interested in bringing the world
to your children by introducing them to foreign traditions and food as well as a second language? Are you in
need of childcare help within the next 3-16 weeks?
If the answer to all, or even some, of these questions is yes!, it might be time to consider hiring an Au Pair
from overseas.
The term “Au Pair” is French for “equal to”, meaning that the relationship between you, your children and
an Au Pair should be a reciprocal and caring one. An Au Pair is typically a young woman who takes care of
your children and does light housekeeping for up to 12 months. Because hosting an Au Pair is as much a
cultural exchange program as it is a childcare program, we refer to each of our clients as a host family. As
a host family you will welcome an Au Pair into your home to be an extended family member, include her in
activities and meals and introduce her to the “Canadian way of life”. In exchange, your family benefits from
a caring and dedicated caregiver who can offer so much more than simply childcare.
Does an Au Pair sound like the right fit? Contact us today and get started! We are looking forward to placing
an Au Pair with you soon.
Founding member
of the Association of
Caregivers and Nanny
Agencies, Canada
(ACNA)
Full-voting member
of the International
Au Pair Association
(IAPA)
Warm regards,
Manuela Gruber Hersch
Former overseas nanny, mother of two children,
and three-time successful nanny employer.
General Manager of
International Nannies & Homecare Ltd.
3. 3
International Nannies & Homecare Ltd.was founded in 1996
by Manuela Gruber Hersch, a former overseas nanny from
Austria, and is one of Canada’s leading In-home Caregiver
and Au Pair agencies; committed to providing the highest
level of applicant screening, with a focus on providing
excellent service to both applicants and families. At Inter-
national Nannies & Homecare Ltd, we have been placing
In-home Caregivers for more than 18 years and were the
first agency to introduce the Au Pair program to Canada
almost 3 years ago as an alternative to the sometimes frus-
trating and lengthy process of sponsoring a live-in nanny
into Canada from overseas.
Manuela is a multiple nanny employer herself and brings a
wealth of knowledge from both perspectives, as do many
of our local Placement Coordinators across Canada. Our
team of experienced and highly-motivated Placement
Coordinators have lived and/or travelled abroad for an
extended period of time themselves and are looking
forward to sharing their wealth of knowledge with you.
We have been working with a variety of partners around
the world for many years and visit each other regularly to
maintain trusting and reliable relationships and to ensure
the best service for you.
Many busy parents have relied on International Nannies &
Homecare Ltd.to provide a childcare solution that is flexible,
affordable and quality-driven. Having another adult in your
home reduces the stress of pick-up and drop-off at daycare
and the hassle of patching together coverage from babysit-
ters or family members.
With an Au Pair, your childcare works around your schedule
and not the other way around. By choosing how you want
to schedule your childcare, you know you have coverage
when you need it most – including sick days, snow days
and evenings.
Our goal is to make this process as smooth as possible
for everyone and to provide you with an excellent Au Pair
candidate who is able to enrich you and your family’s experi-
ence. Customer service prior to your Au Pair’s arrival, as well
as post-placement follow up and support, is an essential
part of our service.
About International Nannies & Homecare Ltd.
✓ Free family registration
✓ Complimentary assessment of your childcare needs and
in depth information about the NEW Au Pair program
✓ A screening process that provides a high level of recruit-
ment expertise, including a personal interview, verifying
of recent childcare and character references, and
ensuring the Au Pair undergoes police clearances and
medical exam in order to be able to work with children
in Canada and to qualify for their Work Permit
✓ Free access to our extensive Au Pair database
✓ Interviews with prospective Au Pairs at no charge
✓ Guidance and support throughout the entire hiring
process (setting up employment contracts, ensuring
employment standards are being followed)
✓ Extensive employer handbook and payroll information
✓ Orientation days in Vancouver or Toronto prior to the Au
Pair’s arrival with your family
✓ Continuous support after the Au Pair’s arrival for you and
your Au Pair, including regular Au Pair meetings where
possible
✓ 24 hour Emergency Phone Number for your Au Pair
✓ Replacement guarantee
We further offer:
4. 4
AdventureAdventure
Travel
Travel
FunFun
CanadaCanada
Initial Consultation
• Personal interview with one of our local Placement
Coordinators to determine your childcare needs.
• Find out more about what it means to host an Au
Pair and express ideas about your ideal childcare
situation, expectations regarding the kind of rela-
tionship you are envisioning with your Au Pair and
potential worries.
Your application
• Completing your application is an important part of
the matching process.
• Based on the information provided, a prospective Au
Pair will decide if she would like to interview with you.
• No obligation and free of charge
Matching – the search for
the ideal Au Pair begins
• Receive complete and detailed applications of
suitable Au Pair candidates.
• Flip through the mini profiles of available Au Pair
candidates on our website.
1
3
2
4
steps11
to hire an
Au Pair
• The majority of our Au Pairs are available to start
between May and September.
• Get in touch with as many as five Au Pairs at once and
set up Skype interviews!
• This is your chance to find out as much as possible about
an Au Pair. You might know right after the first phone
call that this is the right person to join your family! You
might need a few attempts to find the perfect match.
Either way, if you apply early enough, we will find the
ideal Au Pair for you.
Job Offer
• Perfect match? Confirm placement duration and ideal
arrival date.
5. 5
Paperwork
• Finalize the placement by signing the employment
contract, agency agreement and paying the fee.
• If your Au Pair is arriving with little notice, the entire
fee may be collected when the match is made, prior
to the paperwork being finalized, in order to secure
your Au Pair and to allow us to reserve and confirm
her travel arrangements.
Work Permit
• Due to the limited number of work permits that
are given out each year, your Au Pair has most
likely already applied, with the assistance of our
overseas partner company.
• On rare occasions an Au Pair will apply after the
confirmation of a placement. If so she will will
complete this application as soon as possible and
processing times are fairly expeditious.
Preparation
• Receive extensive information on how to prepare
yourself and your children for your Au Pair’s arrival
and how to organize your payroll system.
Stay in Touch
• In our experience, host families who invest time
and energy in developing a relationship with their
Au Pair prior to her arrival are much more likely to
have a successful long-term relationship.
• An occasional email or a picture drawn and sent
by your children can go a long way.
Pick-up – Welcoming
your Au Pair to Canada
• Most Au Pairs arrive on specific dates and in
groups in order to allow them to participate in our
Orientation Days in either Vancouver or Toronto.
Orientation Days prepare them for their life as an
Au Pair in Canada.
• You will be able to pick-up your Au Pair at the
end of the Orientation Day after she arrives at
your closest local airport.
The first few days
• Spend the Au Pair’s first few days together
as a family.
• Be patient and understanding. A lot of things
will be new and different to your Au Pair, the
language, the culture, your family and being far
away from anything she knows.
• Your local Placement Coordinator will follow-up
within the first few days of your Au Pair’s
arrival.
• Despite all efforts, it may be that the chemistry
between you and your Au Pair just doesn’t feel
right. In any case, please get in touch with us.
Your local Placement Coordinator will be able to
mediate and assist you in overcoming cultural
differences and miscommunications. If a reso-
lution is not found, our replacement guarantee
comes into effect.
Saying Goodbye
• Time flies! Before you know it, your current Au
Pair will be leaving.
• Contact us at least 4-5 months prior to the end
of your Au Pair’s placement term to find a new
Au Pair and benefit from our generous Repeat –
Family Discount.
• As an International Nannies & Homecare
host family, you will have the opportunity to
constantly share feedback with us through
regular conversations with your local Placement
Coordinator and regular customer satisfaction
surveys, so we can continually improve our
program.
6
8
5
10
7
11
9
7. 77
Average Au Pair Wages and Employer’s cost per week
based on working hours and location
Average Gross Maximum Room & Au Pair Employer cost Hours
Wage in CAD Board Deduction Net Wages in CAD per week per week
per week in CAD per week per week
Alberta (Wages $10.20 CAD per hour)
255.00 101.22 139.54 169.78 25
306.00 101.22 179.93 224.65 30
357.00 101.22 220.32 279.51 35
408.00 101.22 257.39 334.38 40
British Columbia (Wages $10.25 CAD per hour)
256.25 75.00 166.75 197.35 25
307.50 75.00 207.34 252.48 30
358.75 75.00 247.92 307.62 35
410.00 75.00 284.76 362.75 40
Ontario (Wages $11.00 CAD per hour)
275.00 85.25 171.35 207.27 25
330.00 85.25 211.45 266.43 30
385.00 85.25 249.80 325.62 35
440.00 85.25 287.40 384.78 40
Quebec (Wages $10.35 CAD per hour)
258.75 N/A 244.29 274.37 25
310.50 N/A 286.52 329.96 30
362.25 N/A 328.75 385.54 35
414.00 N/A 370.98 441.13 40
Saskatchewan (Wages $10.20 CAD per hour)
255.00 57.69 183.07 213.31 25
306.00 57.69 223.46 268.18 30
357.00 57.69 259.98 323.04 35
408.00 57.69 295.14 377.91 40
If an Au Pair is placed elsewhere within Canada the wages will be similar.
However, please be aware wages and payroll deduction amounts do differ in each province and territory.
10. 10
Can I select an Au Pair from a specific
country or who speaks a certain
language?
Yes, however please be aware that it may take longer to
match you with an Au Pair from a specific country and
with certain language skills. Some specifications may not
be able to be met since not every nationality is eligible to
apply for a Working Holiday Work Permit.
Does every Au Pair speak English?
Yes, every Au Pair speaks a high degree of English. English
skills range from intermediate to native speaker. During
your personal phone interview with an Au Pair you will be
able to assess her command of the English language and
determine whether her English abilities match what you
are looking for.
Does every Au Pair drive?
Having anAu Pair to drive your children to and from school
and other activities is one of the benefits of the Au Pair
program. The vast majority of our Au Pairs are licensed
to drive in their home countries and travel with an Inter-
national Driver’s Permit which will allow them to drive in
Canada. Depending on the province, her nationality and
driving experiences, an Au Pair may need to undergo a
driving test in Canada to be able to drive here. During
your telephone interview, you may ask an Au Pair about
the extent of her driving experience. Once you select an
Au Pair, you will also need to provide the appropriate
coverage under your auto insurance and be prepared to
help her adjust to driving in Canada.
Should I provide my Au Pair with
her own bedroom, bathroom and car?
Host families are required to provide anAu Pair with a private
lockable bedroom. It is not required that an Au Pair has her
own bathroom or car.
Does each Au Pair have
medical insurance?
Absolutely. To be eligible for the Working Holiday Work
Permit, an Au Pair must be prepared to take out health-
care insurance for the duration of her stay – she may have
to present evidence of this insurance when she enters
Canada. You are not required to cover the cost of her
health insurance.
How much should
I pay my Au Pair?
You will employ an Au Pair just as you would any other
employee, remitting CPP, EI, Worker’s Compensation and
her Income Tax to Canada Revenue Agency. The weekly
pay rate for your Au Pair is determined by the province she
works in and the hours being worked. The wage is based
on the provincial minimum wage. Currently, the hourly
minimum wage is between $10.20 CAD and $11.00 CAD.
In addition, room and board can be deducted from an Au
Pair’s wage in most provinces. Wages and room and board
deductions vary depending on the province and are subject
to change.
Do I pay my Au Pair a
Completion Bonus?
Your Au Pair has committed to care for your children for a
period of 6-12 months. Upon completion of the placement
all host families are asked to pay a Completion Bonus of
$350 for a 9 month placement and $500 for a 12 month
placement respectively. That’s about $40 for every month
that an Au Pair is staying with you.
The payment of this bonus is not subject to performance and
has to be paid upon the completion of the full placement
term. This is common practice in the international Au Pair
industry and a good incentive for an Au Pair to stay until the
end of the term. It is also a nice extra at the end of your Au
Pair’s stay that she can use towards further travel around
Canada.
12. 12
If I am a single parent do I
qualify to host an Au Pair?
Yes. International Nannies & Homecare Ltd welcomes single
parents to participate in our program.
How many hours does
an Au Pair work?
AnAu Pair typically works 20 – 44 hours per week according
to your needs. She does not need to work full-time and
can even work on a split shift basis to accommodate your
changing schedule if necessary.
Our childcare hours may be inconsistent,
do we have to guarantee certain
hours every week?
Once you have selected your Au Pair, we will set up an
employment contract with a specific number of hours
that you and your new Au Pair agree on. The times
of these working hours may vary depending on your
schedule but we do ask you to ensure that the Au Pair
is working a minimum number of hours every week. We
recommend the hours of work be no less than 20-25
hours a week. Less hours will make it harder for her to
bond with your children and integrate herself into the
family. It also leaves the Au Pair with a lot of free time
and not enough money to spend, which might create
unnecessary problems.
Can my Au Pair care for my children
when I am out of town?
An Au Pair cannot provide childcare for more than the
maximum work hours defined by the Employment Standards
Act in your province. These limits still apply when you are
out of town, including hours when the children are sleeping.
You would need to make additional childcare arrangements
to cover any time beyond the Au Pair’s maximum working
hours.
Are we expected to compensate the
Au Pair financially for time spent as
a family or just when we leave her
alone with the kids?
We recommend that you sit down with your Au Pair once a
week and discuss the following week and her work schedule.
If you ‘make’ her participate in family activities because you
need that extra set of hands, then this is considered work
and you have to pay her. If you ask her to join you in a family
activity but leave it up to her if she joins you or not, it is
family time and you are not expected to pay her.
If we invite our Au Pair to do activities
with us as a family where she is not
working, but spending time with us, i.e.
skiing or going to the movies, are we
expected to pay for her expenses or does
she pay her own way?
If you choose to invite your Au Pair to join you for family
activities, it is typically appropriate to pay for her every now
and then. Hosting an Au Pair is more than just having an
employer-employee relationship. An Au Pair is supposed to
be part of your family and when she is going the extra mile
by emptying the trash or the dish washer, setting the table, or
playing with the kids during her time off because she wants
to, it is only fair if you too could give something back. It is
not expected to pay for a ski trip or have her join you on
your vacation (if she is not working), but small things such
as offering to buy her a snack on your trip to the beach or a
movie ticket is a nice gesture of your appreciation. The key
is communication and setting the right expectations (ideally
already covered during the initial Skype interview!)
Can my Au Pair travel with my family?
Yes, just make sure that your Au Pair is in compliance with
the specific visa rules and regulations of the destination
country prior to departure. She might have to apply for a
tourist visa prior to her travels depending on her nationality
and your destination.
14. 14
Au Pair versus In-home Caregiver –
What’s the Difference?
Feel like an In-home Caregiver is more suitable for your childcare and housekeeping needs? Contact us at 1-800-820-8308
or info@internationalnannies.com to find out more about the hiring process and requirements to hire an In-home
Caregiver!
In-home Caregiver
• Usually have a minimum of one year of full-time work
experience as nannies, an early childhood education
and one year of work experience in the according
field, or a six month caregiving training course
• Main responsibility: childcare and housekeeping
• Option to live-in or live-out
• One year minimum to maximum 2 years
• No age limit, majority are between 25-45 years
• Usually High school or post-secondary education in
nursing, midwifery or teaching
• Family must pay for the caregiver’s roundtrip flight as
well as healthcare coverage until eligible for provincial
health coverage
• Applicant must complete a medical exam and police
clearance(s) prior to entering Canada
• An In-home Caregiver may also offer in-home elderly
care or disabled adult care
• Rarely has a driver’s license
• Proficient in English as a second language
• Caregivers are paid the median prevailing wage
• Room and board cannot be deducted
• Caregiver works full-time between 40 – 48 hours
• Canadian Embassy processing the application
requires potential employers’ Notice of Assessments
to determine eligibility, letter from employer, Proof of
Identity and Address
• Labour Market Impact Assessment is required
• Advertising using at least four different methods
of recruitment
• Processing times range between 7 – 9 months
Au Pair
• Must have childcare experience, preferably outside
the family such as babysitting, tutoring, completing
an internship in a daycare/preschool
• Main responsibility: childcare
• Assists with child-related household duties including
meal preparation, doing the children’s laundry, and
helping to keep their rooms clean
• Always live-in
• 9 – 12 months, sometimes 6 months
• Between 18-29 years of age
• High school or college graduates
• No additional costs
• Applicant must complete a medical exam and police
clearance(s) prior to entering Canada
• Comes to Canada for a “cultural exchange” – more
like a big sister to your children
• Usually has a driver’s license
• Proficient in English as a second language or native
speaker
• Au Pair is paid minimum wage
• Room and board are deductible, the amount depen-
dents on province
• Working hours range from between 20 – 44 hours
per week
• No additional paperwork needs to be submitted to
Canadian Embassy
• No Labour Market Impact Assessment required
• No advertising required
• Processing times range between 3-16 weeks
