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References and Police Record Checks

Recently, we got an email from a nanny in Hamilton, ON asking if it is appropriate for nannies to ask for references and a police record check of the parents that are interviewing them. Martha Scully, owner of CanadianNanny.ca and Joni Gilmour, recruitment manager at CanadianNanny.ca were discussing this and found they couldn’t agree; Martha being an employer and Joni being an employee. Read the discussion they had and weigh in on your thoughts!

Martha: As a nanny, you are the employee of the parent. It is appropriate, and generally regarded as required, for the parent to ask for references and a police record check of the nanny, because the nanny is dealing with their children and working in their home. It is common practice for parents, church groups, child care centres, girl guides, coaches, etc to ask for this information.

Joni: Yes, it is obvious why parents should ask the potential nanny for this. However, the nanny is working in the home of the parent, and could be putting themselves at risk. There are a lot of great nannies out there that will come out clean in these checks, and some that won’t, which is why you really should ask for this. However, among all the wonderful families there can also be parents out there that aren’t great and the nanny could be putting themselves at risk if they don’t look out for themselves.

Martha: From an interview, it is impossible to determine if a child will be “safe” under the care of this individual. The best way to determine the abilities of the nanny is to do screening from the beginning, to ensure the person you are hiring is the right person.

Joni: Similarly, it is impossible to tell if there are any ‘skeletons in the closet’ of the parents. It’s hard to tell if the nanny will be safe in the family’s home. What if there is a history of abuse – verbally, emotionally, physically – towards nannies working in the home? What if the parent has an aggressive nature that’s only revealed in times of high stress, or perhaps when accelerated by certain activities? If a nanny is living in the home, this could be a potential risk for them, as they reside with the family all the time.

Martha: As an employer, I would reconsider the decision to hire the nanny, or employee, if they asked me for a reference and police record check.

Joni: Doesn’t this show that the nanny has some sense to look out for dangers, and that they will then look out for the child with just as much caution? The parent’s are looking out for the safety of their family, both themselves and their children. So by the nanny doing the same thing, it shows they have the same concern for safety.

Martha: The odd time a parent will offer a reference of a past nanny to the nanny they are interviewing. At that time, it would be acceptable to speak to the past nanny. A police record check may show things that do not relate to the nanny’s employment, and therefore isn’t the business of the nanny.

Joni: But the police record may show things that are also not relevant to the job, but it could still affect the chances of getting hired.

Martha: The nanny can ask some questions of the parent(s) during the interview to get a sense for the type of family they are, but it should remain professional. If there is something that makes the nanny feel at ease with the family, therefore feeling the need to “check them out”, they should politely decline the position and continue searching for the right family for them.

Joni: Similarly, the parent should look for these cues when they are interviewing the nanny. I agree that a reference check and police record check should still be done for employment, but if something is giving you the “no feeling”, it’s not the right fit.

It seems that Martha and Joni have come to some sort of agreement, but the question still remains, is it appropriate for the nanny to ask for this of the parent? What do you think? Leave your comments here!

Posted by Joni @ 1:42:12 PM

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2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Visit

Last weekend, like 80-percent of Canadians, I watched the unbelievable finish of the men’s gold medal hockey game and closing ceremonies.

At the beginning of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, my family and I travelled to Whistler Village to visit my sister and her family, visiting from Toronto, and took in some amazing events. Whistler was unbelievable! As soon as we arrived, we were transformed by the energy of the village. You truly could have just walked around the village and felt that you were part of the Olympics.

We attended ski jumping and Nordic combined events during the day; in the evening, we attended the victory ceremonies. Seeing such strong, brave athletes in tears as the received their medals gave me butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t stop looking at my daughters, aged 8 and 10, as they watched these exciting events. Sometimes, you have to remind your children how lucky they are. That day, I didn’t have to – you could see it in their eyes.

Later on in the Games, I attended an ice dancing event by myself, taking in the excitement and opportunity myself. Although the media spoke negatively about the weather, many referring to it as the “Spring Games”, I thought the city looked marvellous! British Columbia is a beautiful province, so stated on our licence plates, and what a better time to show this to the world.

While many people stood in line for hours to purchase clothing, to view medals and visit the various pavilions around the downtown core, before my event I wandered around the streets people watching. There were endless amounts of people roaming the streets of Vancouver, all different nationalities, residents and visitors alike. I have never seen so many people in such a relaxed, happy mood, many dressed in a sea of red-and-white patriotic pride.

My favourite part of the Olympic Games was how much my daughter’s learned from the experience. When the Games started, they understood that there were hundreds of people from around the world coming to British Columbia to play sports. After our Canadian men won their 3rd gold medal in a row, Sophie and Charlotte stood tall and proud in our living room and sang O Canada. Now they understand how great it is to be a Canadian!

Posted by Joni @ 5:18:09 PM

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The “Dos” and “Don’ts” of Responding to Job Postings

So, you’re looking for a nanny job and you’re really eager to start right away. At  CanadianNanny.ca we get that – that’s why we’ve made it easy for you to access so many job opportunities at the click of your mouse. However, when using our service to find a job, communication is a huge component. That’s why we’ve put together the “Dos” and the “Don’ts” of responding to job postings.

DOS

Be Professional – You’re applying to a job

Don’t treat this casually, you are applying for employment. Therefore, try to respond to a parent just as you would when applying for a job anywhere else – professionally . If you approach it too casually, you may find that your application is looked over, as parents feel that it reflects your ability to care for their children.

Use Correct English

Ur not texting ur friendz – so use full words and sentences. The way you write can be a reflection of your personality as well as your intelligence, and parents want to hire someone who will be a positive influence on their children. If English isn’t your native language, feel free to start with something to let the parent know this, like “English is not my first language, so please be patient with my grammar and spelling.”

Read the Posting Carefully

There’s nothing worse than applying for a job you later have to turn down because you’re not available or qualified for. Read the posting carefully and only apply if you meet their needs. This saves your time and the parent’s time, and helps you to find the right job for what you need.

Proofread Before Sending

After you’ve written your note to the parents being as correct as possible, read over it before hitting the send button. Make sure you’ve spelling everything right, using a spell-checker if you need to. However, a spell-checker won’t catch if it you’ve used the wrong work of left out (a spell-checker won’t catch it if you’ve used the wrong word or left it out)

Keep it Short

The reason parents are looking for a nanny is because they’re short on time. So, be considerate and keep your application short and easy-to-read. Put the details of your experience and qualifications in your profile, and write a brief note that specifically responds to the parent’s posting, directing them to your profile for the full information. You can also explain more if and when you meet them in person.

Express Your Enthusiasm

Tell the parents through your words how much you love your job, but that doesn’t mean that you have to overuse exclamation marks (!). Reference a particular point in the job posting if it relates to you – I love walking and visiting the library for story-time – or reference some part of your experience – I was the primary caregiver for kids at camp 24/7, so I understand the demands of around the clock care.

DON'TS

Avoid focusing on your needs

If you focus your application on why you need the job, it doesn’t tell the parents why you’re the best person for the job. Try focusing your application on the family’s needs, like that you’re available any time for their needs, rather than saying that you want to work as much as you can to pay the bills.

They’re not your IM or texting buddy

Avoid using slang, abbreviations, and an overly-casual tone when applying for jobs. If you’re using too much of this, a parent might assume you’re much younger than you are, or may use that as a reflection of the type of person you are. Try to put in equal effort into applying for the job as you would when you actually perform that job.

Keep your life story to yourself

Instead of telling the parents your life story, try to tie it in with your skills. For example, “I feel I am qualified for your position as I have three grown children that I raised and therefore understand the demands of caring for three small children”, or “I enjoy reading in my spare time, and love reading stories to children during the day or before bed”.

Leave your demands for later

When applying for a job, leave your demands (e.g. need Saturdays off) until you’ve been hired for the position so you don’t seem inflexible or that you’re assuming you already have the job.

You might not get a response

Parents are busy, that’s why they’re hiring a nanny. Keep this in mind and don’t get upset if you don’t get a response to every application you send in. It’s possible that the parent is choosing not to respond because they don’t need a nanny anymore, they’ve filled the position already, or just plainly forgot in the hustle and bustle. It’s not a reflection of you as a nanny – keep searching to find the right family to work for.

Don’t harass them

While it’s appropriate to send a very brief note after your initial email to check in, it should stop there. We can’t control the way others behave, so if you don’t get a response, move on and assume they don’t need your services right now. There are many other great jobs out there, and if someone is interested in you, they will respond!

If you have any questions for us, please contact us at info@canadiannanny.ca.

Posted by Joni @ 2:36:05 PM

• 1 comments

How-To Hire a Nanny: Part Four

Hiring a nanny can be a daunting task, especially for the busy parent who needs help. While CanadianNanny.ca can provide you with many nannies in your area, it’s still up to you to decide who the best fit for your family is. To help you through that process, we’ve made up this “How-To” guide, outlining the steps from posting your job to choosing your nanny.

Read the last of our four-part series on “How-To Hire a Nanny”; criminal record checks and the trial day.

Step 7 – Check Criminal Record Checks

All nannies are prepared for this question; some may even have one ready for you. If not, ask the nanny to have a police record check done. The nanny will need to go to their local police department to request it, then pick it up and provide it to you – there may be a fee for this and it’s up to you whether you help the nanny out with the cost or not.

Step 8 – Do a Trial Run with the Nanny

If you really like what you’ve been given already, consider having the nanny in for a trial day to see how they interact with your child(ren). The nanny should be paid for this time, and be given a chance to interact with the child(ren) without you being there the whole time, but still available. Review the day with the nanny at the end, and let her know when you’ll be making a decision. Talk to your family about how they liked the nanny, but always trust your gut instinct.

Throughout the hiring process, remember that you are hiring an employee, not a new friend. Therefore, pick the best person for the job, not just the person you get along with the best.

For more information on doing a trial day, refer to the “How to Hire and Keep a Good Nanny” guide you got with membership. Didn’t receive it when you registered, contact us!

Using all of the information you’ve learned about your favourite nannies, pick the one you’re going to hire, but keep the other ones on hand should you need some back-up care. We recommend that you let each individual know if they haven’t been chosen for the position, so they’re not left in the dark.

If you have any questions about the service or your nanny search, please contact us at info@canadiannanny.ca or 1-866-221-7918

Posted by Joni @ 4:20:30 PM

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How-To Hire a Nanny: Part Three

Hiring a nanny can be a daunting task, especially for the busy parent who needs help. While CanadianNanny.ca can provide you with many nannies in your area, it’s still up to you to decide who the best fit for your family is. To help you through that process, we’ve made up this “How-To” guide, outlining the steps from posting your job to choosing your nanny.

Continue with our four-part series on “How-To Hire a Nanny”; interviewing and checking references.

Step 5 – Face-to-Face Interviews

Schedule a time to meet with each potential nanny at a time that’s available for both of you. Either hold it in your home when there are no distractions to pull your attention away, i.e. kids, or meet in a neutral location like a coffee shop to chat with them. Be prepared for the meeting: create a rough agenda with questions specific to your needs and the nanny’s qualifications so you don’t miss anything. If you want to see how the nanny interacts with your child(ren), schedule a different time to do this. See “Step 8 - Do a Trial Run with the Nanny” next week, or refer to the “How to Hire and Keep a Good Nanny” guide you got with your membership.

Throughout the hiring process, remember that you are hiring an employee, not a new friend. Therefore, pick the best person for the job, not just the person you get along with the best.

Step 6 – Check References

After you’ve met with all the potential nannies, you probably already have an idea of who you want to hire. Check with them to see if you can contact their references, and then give the references a call. Warning! – if a nanny doesn’t want to provide you with references, you probably don’t want to hire them. You should check at least 2 references for each person. Be informal with the reference and ask for general information, like how many children they have and how long ago the nanny last cared for them. Then, ask more specific questions in relation to child care, such as whether the nanny followed house rules, and if the parent would hire them again. Use the information provided by the references to select your top 3 candidates.

Check back next week for part-four, the final steps to getting the right nanny for your family.

For tips on interviewing the nannies and checking references, refer to the “How to Hire and Keep a Good Nanny” guide you got with membership. Didn’t receive it when you registered, contact us!

Posted by Joni @ 4:32:35 PM

• 2 comments

Nanny T4's

Sharpen your pencils, get your calculators ready, BEGIN WORK!  Sound like you’re back in school and it’s exam time again?  Getting butterflies in your stomach?  Well, your marks aren’t at stake, but your money is; it is time to file your nanny’s 2009 T4!  The deadline is normally the last day of February but because it falls on a Sunday this year, the absolute last day to make sure the T4 summary and any accompanying T4s are in Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)’s hands is Monday March 1.  The penalty for late filing is $25 per day with a minimum penalty of $100, and a maximum penalty of $2500.  Not only is it important to file T4 information on time, but it should also be completed correctly.

A few things to keep in mind when completing the paperwork:

1 – Make sure you include T4s for all employees paid during 2009 in the 2009 T4 summary.  Even if you had an employee with only one pay period in 2009, they still need a T4 to file their taxes, and this needs to be included in the employer’s summary.

2 – Check that the appropriate boxes on the T4 are filled in.  In most cases, both EI insurable earnings and the CPP-QPP pensionable earnings (boxes 24 and 26) should remain blank.  Read up on whether either of these apply to your employee.

3 – Use the “Other Information” fields for taxable benefits such as Room & Board.  You will need to choose which box number to use and then fill in the appropriate amount next to it.

4 – When you and your spouse file your own income tax returns, use the amounts on the T4 summary for the child care expense deduction.  Boxes 14,  27, and 19 (Employment income, Employer’s CPP contributions, Employer’s EI contributions) can be added together to get the total expense.  Keep in mind that in most cases, child care expenses will need to be claimed against the lower income of the two spouses.  The maximum amount you can claim will be based on the number and ages of children you have.

How can the process be made simple?  Well, you may have slacked a bit in 2009, but make a New Year resolution (or rather, a new tax year resolution) to keep accurate records every time you pay your employee, and every time you make a tax payment to the CRA.

Happy T4 Filing!!

Posted by Joni @ 12:15:05 PM

• 1 comments

How-To Hire a Nanny: Part Two

Hiring a nanny can be a daunting task, especially for the busy parent who needs help. While CanadianNanny.ca can provide you with many nannies in your area, it’s still up to you to decide who the best fit for your family is. To help you through that process, we’ve made up this “How-To” guide, outlining the steps from posting your job to choosing your nanny.

Continue with our four-part series on “How-To Hire a Nanny”; checking for feedback and phone interviews to narrow down your selections from 10 to 5.

Step 3 – Check for Profile Feedback

Did you know that nannies might have feedback from other parents posted on their profile? If that nanny was a great help to a family, or maybe didn’t show up to the interview, it’s possible the parent posted that for you to see. Check through your favourite nannies to see if they have feedback posted to help you make your decision. Remember this feature if you want to leave feedback for other parents on a nanny’s profile.

Note: In your account, you can save nanny profiles as favourites to make them easy to find later. You can even post your own notes for yourself that can be edited or removed as needed.

Step 4 – Phone Interviews

We all have busy lives, and the chances are you don’t really have time to interview all of your favourites in person. Get a list of preliminary questions together – when can you start a new position, what days of the week are you available, etc. – and do phone interviews. This will give you an idea of their personality. As I always say, make decisions based on your gut, it won’t do you wrong. If something seems out of place, move on. Try to narrow down your list to your favourite 5 out of your initial 10 to interview in person.

Throughout the hiring process, remember that you are hiring an employee, not a new friend. Therefore, pick the best person for the job, not just the person you get along with the best.

Check back next week for part-three, getting from 5 to 3 with interviews and reference checks.

If you have any questions about the service or your nanny search, please contact us at  info@canadiannanny.ca or 1-866-221-7918

Posted by Joni @ 2:17:18 PM

• 0 comments