For parents · Child care
How do I find a babysitter or nanny in Canada?
Start early and decide first whether you need occasional babysitting or regular care. Ask other parents, your community and child care listings for names, then check every candidate yourself: interview them, call references, ask for a current vulnerable sector check and first aid training, run a short paid trial, and put the arrangement in writing.
In 60 seconds
- A babysitter usually covers occasional evenings or short blocks of time, while a nanny usually provides regular, scheduled care in your home.
- The best starting points are other parents, neighbours, your community and platforms where you can screen caregivers yourself.
- Every candidate needs the same checks, including an interview, phoned references, first aid training and a current vulnerable sector check for regular care.
- A short paid trial while you are home or nearby shows how the caregiver actually handles your children and your routines.
- A written agreement covering hours, rates, cancellations, illness and vacation prevents most misunderstandings later.
- Rules for child care, tax and labour standards differ by province and by arrangement, so check what applies where you live.
What is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?
A babysitter usually looks after children occasionally, such as an evening out or an afternoon appointment, and is often paid by the visit. A nanny usually provides regular, scheduled care in the family’s home, sometimes full days, and becomes part of the child’s daily routine. The checks are the same; the commitment is not.
Deciding which you need shapes everything else: how many hours you are looking for, how much experience matters, how long the trial should be and how detailed your written agreement needs to be. Some families use both, with a nanny on weekdays and a babysitter for evenings. Others share a nanny with another family to split the schedule.
Where do parents in Canada find babysitters and nannies?
Most parents find caregivers through people they already know: other parents at school or daycare, neighbours, relatives, faith and community groups, and local parent networks. Online platforms widen the pool. Wherever a name comes from, a recommendation is a starting point, not a substitute for your own interview, reference calls and trial.
The Canadian Paediatric Society suggests starting your child care search early, months before you return to work, and asking friends, colleagues and local family service offices for names. Teen babysitters who have taken a babysitting course through the Canadian Red Cross or St. John Ambulance are often known through schools and neighbours.
What should I check before choosing a babysitter or nanny?
Check experience with children the same age as yours, first aid and CPR training, references from other families, and, for regular care, a current vulnerable sector check. Ask to see certificates rather than taking them on trust. Then confirm the practical fit: availability, transportation, and comfort with your house rules and routines.
- Experience with babies, toddlers or school-age children, matching your family
- Current first aid and CPR training, with the certificate in hand
- Two or more references from families they have cared for, phoned by you
- A current vulnerable sector check for regular or ongoing care
- Comfort with any allergies, medications or special needs your child has, following your written instructions
- Reliable transportation, and a valid licence if they will drive your children
- A backup plan if they are sick or cannot come
Why should I do a paid trial before committing to a caregiver?
A short paid trial shows you how a caregiver actually behaves with your children, which an interview cannot. Book a few hours while you are home or nearby. Watch how they play, handle a meal or a nap, respond to a tantrum and follow your instructions. Your children’s reactions afterwards are useful information too.
For a nanny, consider a longer trial period with a check-in date agreed in advance, so both sides can say honestly whether the fit is working. For a babysitter, a first evening close to home, with a quick call from you partway through, serves the same purpose. Pay for trial time like any other time; it is real care.
Do I need a written agreement with a babysitter or nanny?
A written agreement is not always required, but it is strongly worth having for regular care. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends a contract covering fees, receipts, payment method and frequency, hours, vacation and illness. Writing these down before care starts settles most of the disagreements families and caregivers run into later.
If someone cares for your children regularly in your home, tax and labour standards rules may apply to your family depending on the arrangement. These rules differ by province, so check with the Canada Revenue Agency and your provincial labour standards office, or ask an accountant about your situation.
- Days, hours and how overtime or late pickup is handled
- Rate, how and when payment is made, and whether receipts are provided
- Cancellation notice on both sides
- What happens when the child or the caregiver is sick
- Vacation and statutory holidays
- Duties included, such as meals, school pickup or light tidying
- How either side can end the arrangement
How old should a babysitter be in Canada?
There is no single age that suits every family. The Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance babysitting courses are designed for youth aged 11 to 15, which shows when many young people start. The right age depends on your children’s ages and needs, how long you will be gone and the sitter’s maturity.
A course age range is not a legal minimum. A young teen may be fine for an hour with a school-age child and not ready for a newborn or an overnight. If you are unsure what is appropriate or what rules apply where you live, contact your provincial child and family services ministry.
How does Maple Care help me find a babysitter or nanny?
On Maple Care you post a free, anonymous child care request that shows only your city. Independent care professionals who want your contact details pay to get them, and you set how many can (at least five). You can also pay to contact a professional first. You still interview, check references and agree terms directly.
Our team reviews every account, and professionals can earn badges for certifications we check, such as first aid or a vulnerable sector check. Badges are a screening signal, not a background check. Maple Care does not supervise anyone’s work, set rates or handle payment for care. Ask our team for our care agreement template if you want a written starting point.
Free to post. Your contact details stay private.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I start looking for a nanny?
Start as early as you can. The Canadian Paediatric Society suggests beginning a child care search months before you return to work. That leaves time to interview several people, call references, wait for a vulnerable sector check and run a trial without feeling rushed into a choice.
Should I ask a babysitter for a vulnerable sector check?
For regular or ongoing care, yes, it is reasonable to ask. The check is done by the local police service where the person lives, or in British Columbia through the provincial Criminal Records Review Program, and processes vary. For a one-time teen sitter, many parents rely on references and a trial instead.
Is a relative or friend as good as a professional caregiver?
Sometimes. A relative who knows your children well can be an excellent choice. The same basics still matter: first aid training, clear instructions, an emergency plan and agreed hours. Writing things down can feel awkward with family, but it protects the relationship when schedules or expectations change.
Can I share a nanny with another family?
Yes, some families share a nanny to split hours or care for children together. Agree in writing on whose home is used, how the schedule and payment are divided, and what happens if one family’s needs change. Check whether caring for several families’ children triggers child care licensing rules in your province.
What if my child does not like the babysitter?
Give it a fair chance, since many children protest any new caregiver at first. Ask your child specific questions about what they did together, and watch for changes in mood or sleep. Clear fear or a child who refuses to be left, visit after visit, is a reason to look again.
What should I do if a caregiver cancels at the last minute?
Build a backup list before you need it: a second babysitter, a relative or a neighbour who can step in. Agree on cancellation notice in your written agreement, on both sides. If last-minute cancellations become a pattern, it is fair to talk about it openly and, if nothing changes, look for someone else.
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