Home Child Care Providers

(NOC 4411)

in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Home childcare providers care for children on an ongoing or short-term basis. They care for the well-being and physical and social development of children, help parents with childcare and may help with household duties. They provide care primarily in their own homes or in the children's homes, where they may also live. They work for private households and child-care agencies, or they may be self-employed.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate Decline employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate -10 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

  • Estimate 1830 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5515 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$15.41

Median

$20.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$1,529

Minimum

$7,694

Median

$27,327

Maximum

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

Hourly Pay

$16.30

Minimum

$30.00

Median

$51.30

Maximum

Annual Pay

$5,616

Minimum

$44,335

Median

$92,599

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Home childcare providers care for children on an ongoing or short-term basis. They care for the well-being and physical and social development of children, help parents with childcare and may help with household duties. They provide care primarily in their own homes or in the children's homes, where they may also live. They work for private households and child-care agencies, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Home childcare providers:

  • Supervise and care for children in employer's or own residence.
  • Bathe, dress and feed infants and children.
  • Prepare formulas and change diapers for infants.
  • Plan, prepare and serve meals for children and may do other housekeeping duties.
  • Oversee children's activities like meals and rest periods, as instructed by employer.
  • Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the home.
  • Instruct children in personal hygiene.
  • Tend to the emotional well-being of children and support their social development.
  • Discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents.
  • Organize and participate in activities like games, crafts, reading and outings.
  • Take children to and from school and appointments.
  • May be required to keep records of daily activities and health information regarding each child.

Foster parents:

  • Care for foster children, usually on an emergency or temporary basis, as a primary guardian under general direction of foster parent agency.
  • Consult foster parent agency supervisors for advice and when problems arise.
  • Administer foster care programs for foster children, as directed by foster parent agency social workers.

Sample job titles

  • au pair
  • babysitter
  • child care provider - private home
  • family child care provider
  • foster parent
  • home child care provider
  • live-in caregiver, child care
  • live-in nanny
  • nanny
  • parent's helper

Skills

  • You must be patient, understanding, and emotionally supportive along with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. The ability to handle stressful situations may be needed. You should be sensitive and able to respond in a positive and caring way. The ability to follow directions and work under supervision is also important. Dependability and good judgement are also essential. Good health and physical strength may be necessary for some positions.

Job requirements

  • High school may be required.
  • Home child care providers, parent's helpers and foster parents may require completion of a training program in child care or a related field.
  • First aid certification and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training may be required.

Other considerations

  • Most workers in these jobs do not work full-time for the entire year, and jobs tend to be seasonal. Demonstrated ability to perform work is usually required. Child care or household management experience may be required. There is mobility among jobs in this group.

By the numbers

Quick look

2,805

employed in 2016

59.0%

employed full-time

44.2%

self employed

96.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
3.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
39.4

median age

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

55,420

employed in 2016

76.4%

employed full-time

6.6%

self employed

64.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
36%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

48.9%

Halifax

$8,464 median annual income
15.0%

North Shore

$6,954 median annual income
14.8%

Annapolis Valley

$7,604 median annual income
11.3%

Cape Breton

$7,401 median annual income
10.0%

Southern

$6,921 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

74.8%

Health care and social assistance

24.2%

Other services (except public administration)

0.5%

Professional, scientific and technical services

0.5%

Accommodation and food services

What is the age of Employment?

22.0%

35-44

21.0%

15-24

19.0%

25-34

18.0%

45-54

15.0%

55-64

6.0%

65+

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

24.2%

35-44

22.7%

45-54

21.4%

25-34

17.2%

55-64

8.4%

15-24

Top levels of education

32.4%

High school

$6,638 median annual income
24.4%

College Diploma

$7,844 median annual income
21.6%

Less than high school

$6,206 median annual income
13.2%

Bachelor

$10,258 median annual income
4.3%

Trade Certification

$9,305 median annual income

Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services

28.9%

Bachelor

$45,929 median annual income
21.2%

College Diploma

$35,398 median annual income
16.8%

Master

$71,043 median annual income
14.6%

High school

$29,055 median annual income
4.6%

Doctorate

$100,443 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Foster Care Nova Scotia
Various, NS
St. John Ambulance - NS, PEI
Dartmouth, NS
Canadian Child Care Federation
Ottawa, ON

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.