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Childcare (after school clubs) for working parents

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 14:16

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum, but I'm getting to the final stages for a role in Doha. Both my husband and I will be working in Qatar, and I have two children - 4 and 8 years. Assuming (and I know that's a big one!), that we can get schools sorted, what do people do with their children once the children have finished school and before the parents get home? I was wondering if there are after school clubs or other things which would keep them safe and occupied till we get home?

Thanks everyone for any thoughts and advice!
BG

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18

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 April 2012 - 02:38

Hello! I think Dan Lou's suggestion is great and simillar to what we've sorted out. We've been really lucky and found a fabulous English teacher/qualified childminder who collects our daughter from nursery 3 days a week and looks after her until 4pm. We met her through Dohamums.... We are in the process of finding a live in nanny/maid, but we'll still keep my daughter with our childminder as it is such a great arrangement and I'm happy having my daughter with another family and with someone who's had great experience too. As well as the note at school, you could post on Dohamums and see if there are any stay at home mums, ex teachers etc who would like some additional money and help you out. We came with my job, so my husband didn't start working for first month or so, so he could settle us properly because is pretty full on with 2 new jobs, new schools, houses etc so if you can stagger your start dates it might help. xxx

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 April 2012 - 18:31

Hi Dan Lou That's a really good idea, and actually a friend of mine in the UK suggested the same thing to me a couple of days ago too... I will definitely look into that. Places are not yet forthcoming at any of the schools I've registered with, but I suppose they've all been on holidays for a little while so hopefully I'll hear back soon! Thanks again... BG

761

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 14:34

Hi Berkshire Girl, another way to approach things might be through the school you actually get into. Perhaps you could check with them if you could pop a note in your children's classmates bags to see if a mum would like to earn extra pocket money and have your children for 2 or 3 hours each day (or whatever your need is) along with their own children. Or perhaps there's a school newsletter? Of course you would need to vet the parents, check the children get along, see their home, etc and come to a suitable arrangement. Perhaps even someone in your own compound is at the same school? I Iguess it wouldn't even need to be in the same school if yours were getting a bus. I know this might seem like a hassle but it might just work, and I only mention it because it's something I used to do for a friend in Dubai and thought of it. Best of luck with your move.

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 April 2012 - 13:42

Thanks Chardfan I have registered with Sherbourne - though not ideal location-wise, but I'm just hoping that the children get into a school so we'll be happy with what we get (from those we've applied for)... I didn't know that they did after school clubs - so that's definitely a bonus... Thanks again, BG

34

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 April 2012 - 15:32

Not sure if you've registered with Sherborne, but they have great after school activities which finish about 3.15pm, so makes for a later pick up if that helps.

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 06 April 2012 - 14:53

Thanks BEDH, The company doesn't have an in with any specific schools, but I have registered with 5 of them so far... we'd be in a compound off the Al Waab road so some are less convenient location wise. They only cover just over QAR 20,000, so there'd be quite a gap between that and somewhere like Compass... :) Thanks for the tips on housemaids! Have a good weekend, BG

305

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 05 April 2012 - 14:55

my advice is in this order ... Find a school (s) find a house , find some help . Hit your companies PRO's hard about finding school places . Some companies have a way into schools but mostly that's the huge headache most newbies have to deal with . It is especially hard to get a place for reception and junior school age children . That said If your company covers the fees you can try Compass which is well regarded but is possibly the most expensive at approx 60,000 QR per year . I know of people who use nursery /teaching assistants for temporary after school care ( you would have to get them to pick up your children in a taxi and take them home ) . There are also agency's chargeing around 35QR hourly ( including transport ) or you can borrow someone else's help for a few hours . once your RP's are sorted you can look at hiring someone legitimately . Most families with two parents working have a full time live in housemaid as they will clean , cook , child mind and do evening babysitting . The sponsorship of someone only is allowed once you have your RP ( can take a two week s or even months ) and then takes up to a month . When I arrived pregnant and desperate I posted on here and borrowed a lady for a month . Then by word of mouth I found a part timer who is super and more importantly my children love so I haven't bothered with a live in even though it would cost half probably . <em>edited by BEDH on 05/04/2012</em>

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 05 April 2012 - 12:15

Good point on the hours Lalala - I hadn't thought of that - I know mine, but not hubby's! I'm hoping to get to a Doha Mums meet in a couple of weeks time when I'm over, so will ask them then too... Thanks for the help - it's really appreciated! BG

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 05 April 2012 - 09:32

Getting a nanny is an ongoing problem I'm afraid. We were very lucky and hired the sister of a friend's nanny who has proven to be fantastic. There are nanny agencies (I don't know any but do a search) but you're hiring someone you haven't met so it can be hit or miss. It may take you a while to find someone and a lot depends on how much you're able/willing to pay and how particular you are in terms of experience and language skills. For example, if you're willing to pay QAR3-4000 a month with weekends off and a flight home a year, I think you'd find someone quite quickly (although you would need to advertise). That would be a very good salary for a nanny out here. If no one is able to help on here, can I suggest you email a query to Doha Mums? It has a wider audience so there's more likely to be someone who's had the same issue. It is pretty rare for parents to come out when they both already have jobs. Normally one follows the other and gets work once here and once the childcare is sorted. One thing to check though is how many hours you're actually talking about needing to cover. Companies work very different hours out here. You might find afterschool clubs will cover it.

14

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 18:15

Thanks Lalala Are there any good agencies for Nannies or is it a matter or asking people if they know anyone who is leaving? thanks again, BG

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 04 April 2012 - 15:54

Most working parents I know have a maid/nanny. Mine are still in nursery but I've begun to look into after school provision and it doesn't particularly help as it still finishes around 2. Some nurseries do afterschool provision (Petis Pas does for example but it stops at age 7). I'm lucky in that my husband and my hours are staggered so there isn't much of a gap to cover but I think it would still be a nightmare without a nanny. To be honest, there aren't that many parents in this situation (although numbers are growing).

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