44100 – Home child care providers

Lead statement

Home child care providers care for children on an ongoing or short-term basis. They care for the well-being and physical and social development of children, assist parents with child care and may assist with household duties.

Main duties

• 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 perform other housekeeping duties
• Oversee children's activities, such as 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
• Provide age-appropriate educational training through organized activities such as 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.
• 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.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary 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.
• Child care or household management experience may be required.
• Demonstrated ability to perform work is usually required.
• First aid certification and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training may be required.

Example job titles

live-in nanny · child care live-in caregiver · parent's helper · governess - child care · nanny · babysitter · children's guardian · home child care provider · foster parent · foster father · family child care provider · foster mother

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.