Need to find a nanny - HELP!!! | ExpatWoman.com
 

Need to find a nanny - HELP!!!

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 12:06

Hi ladies,

Please could anyone advise me. I had DD 5 weeks ago and now have the daunting task of finding a part time nanny before going back to work in February. Ideally I really want to have a philipina who can come between 7-4 ish 5 days a week - living in is not an option. Me and my husband would prefer not to sponsor her so if she was married with her own visa that would be fantastic. I am asking around people I know for recommendations but now luck yet... My questions are:

* Any ideas on how to track down a nanny who already has a visa?
* If we do go down the route of using an agency (and therefore sponsoring) has anyone used an agency that they were impressed with?

I am so wary of bringing someone over at great expense and then finding they are unreliable or dishonest (or worse) - I have heard such horror stories!

I am so dreading having to do this. I can't quite get my head around the fact that someone else will be in my home, looking after my precious baby. We don't even have a cleaner so this is totally alien to me...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 20:50
I am also a teacher and was faced with the same problem ... returning after only 45 days. I looked at at least 15 nurseries, many quite nice but I need to be in school at 7.30 - 7.45 at the very latest and there was not a single nursery willing to take the baby before 7.30 leaving me only a few minutes to get to school. Impossible... I ended up taking a "maid" through a cleaning company who also does babysitting. I have trained her and she has now been with us for 7 months. Am quite happy with this as we don´t sponsor her, she doesn´t live with us and my house is also spotless :-) She has 2 sons of her own and is doing a great job with my DS
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 22:25
Tanya I would love a copy as well. :) Thanks, Tam It just occurred to me that you could upload your documents to Google Docs and provide a link to them if emailing them becomes a chore... edited by sprystroud on 13/01/2011 Done (as are the others) I don't think admin will let me load links... I am pretty sure they have deleted a few posts ... will see though.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 21:12
Tanya I would love a copy as well. :) Thanks, Tami [email protected] It just occurred to me that you could upload your documents to Google Docs and provide a link to them if emailing them becomes a chore... <em>edited by sprystroud on 13/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 07:43
Tanya would also love a copy. Many thanks Jenny <em>edited by Jenny O\"D on 13/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 01:50
Hi, would you mind mailing me copies also? Would be a great help. Email ad is [email protected] Thanks so much
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 12:29
haha, looks like I really started something here... TanyaR thanks for the information, I have read completely through all files and must say I will definitely be using it as a base to make my own contract of rules. Very useful and complete. Will be removing my email now, thanks again!!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 12:10
Hi Ladies You should all have mail so can remove your addresses. Just thought I should mention that the details I am sharing is completely separate to the visa process and also the local contract they will need to sign - all of the standard legal stuff still needs to occur. The details I have put together is just for your relationship with your Nanny/Maid and is a starting point to remind you of things to discuss, and hopefully will just give you some triggers to work from. I hope it helps :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 12:00
I'd love a copy too, please. <em>edited by lbakari on 10/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 11:45
Tanya R would you please send it to me as well. Thank you! <em>edited by burnsie000 on 10/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 10:59
Hi Tanya! Could you be so kind and also send me a copy of that contract. I am also just starting a search for a full time nanny and that would be a good starting point. My email is renskev16 at hotemail dot com Many thanks
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 22:24
Received, thank you :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 21:15
hi Tanya!! can I please please have a copy as well? Thank you! :) You have mail you can remove your address....
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 20:59
hi Tanya!! can I please please have a copy as well? my email is [email protected] Thank you! :)
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:32
I have popped you an email ladies, so if you receive it, you can delete your address. You should have the actual documents in 2-3 days. Good luck! Edited to add: actually you should have the documents now, managed to locate them in an email I had sent my husband. Let me know if you don't recieve them. <em>edited by TanyaR on 09/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 18:24
please let me know as well urgently looking sadaf.b.sheikh at gmail dot com
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 14:17
I would realy appreciate a copy as well. I am planning to have a nanny after my baby. Thank you <em>edited by yamandw on 10/01/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 14:02
No problems at all. You can remove your addresses. I have sent you an email, but will have to follow up with the actual details, my laptop died about 2 days ago, so I am working from a new one, and I am getting a technician to retrieve my old files and copy them to a new remote harddrive. This has been a good lesson for me to backup everything and not just photos! Anyway, they will be with you in a few days. I hope they help.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 13:37
I would really appreciate a copy of it too Tanya. I have recently taken on a nanny and will be going back to work soon so want her fully up to speed. I like your idea on the accident records, certainly something I will implement. Thank you. <em>edited by Sapphire99 on 09/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2011 - 13:03
would like to receive a copy yeah, could you email it to 'emai'l ? thaaanks <em>edited by Yasmine on 10/01/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 19:11
I am happy to share what I have done, what works for us may not work for someone else, but this is how 'we' have chosen to do it. I have to say, this is my role, I am in HR, and my main specialities are Resourcing, employment law (including contracts) and performance management - which is why I am a little black and white around it. Having said that, when we offered our Nanny a role, she was also made aware, that working for us, she becomes an extended part of our family, so we are always concerned for her welfare also e.g. we have given her smoke alarms for her home (she is live out), we sent her kids presents at Christmas (even though she had only worked a couple of days for us) her Christmas present from us was a framed photo of her with my son (then another photo frame for her to put photo's of her children in them), her husband is coming home on Monday, we are picking him up from the airport. She is not my 'friend' but she has to be attached to my son, and like our family (if that makes sense) for her to work out. She said to me at the time we went through her contracts (I was a little worried I was going to freak her out with starting like this), she was relieved we did it, and that we have an open communication style. I do believe we have done 'everything' we can to avoid a miscommunication (as long as we keep it up as well) - but, again, she has only just started with us, so who knows what will happen! I am happy to share the areas I covered off in the contract, also, in all honesty, if anyone wanted a copy, I am happy to share this as well (no liability of course - hehe but it might give people a start point if you really aren't sure what you want) Anyway, the areas covered (as an overview) - Parties of the contract (employer and employee details); Position and duties (just a broad overview, specifics covered in the position description); place of work; hours of work; salary/allowances/bonuses/; annual leave/sick leave; probation period; duration of contract; privacy and confidentiality; outside employment (not working for anyone else); termination clauses .. It is only five pages long, but covered everything I could think of. Her folder has copies of : - her contract (including her govt one); - signed receipt copies for her pay; - first aid instructions (CPR - also on the kitchen door and in his room) - including a form she has to complete for any accidents my son is involved in e.g. . just in case he falls from a height doesn't exibit any immediate symptoms, but falls ill later and I am not aware of anything that has happened..; - her CV, passport details, health insurance - a section on my sons development at each particular stage - we have only just employed her so this is current, and I don't have for when he was younger as it was just me - a section on our house rules - i.e. never leave the compound unless with, never unbuckle his carseat when the car is moving, instructions on how to use our dishwasher, washing machine etc Sorry I am a bit rushed, but as I said at the start, happy to share if anyone has any questions - again, this works for us, but may not for others!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 18:08
Wow TanyaR, I am impressed by the way you handled things. I am very curious to know more about your contract and the role you have described. I am also in the process of hiring and I dont really have a clue what exactly to expect from a nanny on educational level. Would love an elaboration.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 17:26
Englishrose I have just been through this process. My DS is 11 months old, and I have decided to do some part time work, so we have literally 'just' had someone start with us. As mentioned below, because of the different classes of employment contracts in the UAE, you MUST sponsor anyone that works for you directly, hey can't work for you on their husbands visa. I am not meaning to cause offence to anyone. But at your young babies age I 'personally' would hire someone 'one-on-one' in your home if I was you (which sounds like what you are thinking). At nursery they do not get individual attention, are exposed to various bugs (which are in abundance in Dubai), plus they are not focused on how you want your child to be raised, it is just whoever is looking after them at the time, and how that business operates. We have hired our Nanny directly (not through an agency). I placed an advert on EW, and got a huge response (a lot were not great I might add) - it took a while to meet the person we wanted, but as soon as we met her, I knew she was right for us. The person we have hired does have Nanny quals and first aid etc.. and children of her own, excellent references. BUT... TBH - I wasn't 'so' concerned about this (although still good to have), my major concern was finding someone that suited our family, who is honest and trustworthy, smart and can follow instruction - when told once (which obviously 'sometimes' comes from having undertaken higher education). I gave her a comprehensive contract, roles and responsibilities, very clear house rules, and each week we have a development plan for my son of what I want him to be doing, learning etc. which forms part of his learning folder. I cannot emphasis enough when you have a young baby it is really important to set clear guidelines of how you want them to be raised and looked after - this is your child, you need to feel completely safe to leave them at home alone with this person. My main focus was finding the right type of person for our family, knowing that the other pieces I can train, and that I won't return to work until I am comfortable with the relationship. I should also say, my career includes this type of work, which is why I am so focused on the individual training, and clear contracts/roles and responsibilities from the outset. Before our Nanny started, I gave her all the paperwork, which we sat down and read through first, then she took it home discussed it with her husband, then she came back and we discussed again, so there is little or no opportunity to say, I did't know that etc (unless I missed something out). So I know you are busy with a little baby at the moment, but I would strongly suggest you sit down with your husband and write down exactly what you want, and don't want etc. I know that there are lots of bad stories out there, but there are also lots of positive stories as well. So if you have made the decision to have a Nanny, you just need to set this relationship up for success by clear expectations from the outset. I am happy to have a chat with you if you are finding it all a bit overwhelming and not sure where to start! Good luck, it is not easy. And even though I have hired hundreds of people to work for me personally in the past, this is the most difficult and obviously the most important hire I have EVER made.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 09:30
Hi, I hava a nanny who I am trying to find a new job for. However, she may be close to accepting an offer. She is absolutely brilliant with my children aged 4, 2 and 8 months. We found her through Majestic Nannies so all her background searches 'checked-out' and she has been with us since September 2007. Unfortunately we are returning to Australia at the end of June and will not be renewing her sponsorship which expires on the 5th Feb. If you are still looking for a nanny, please contact me on [email protected] and I can forward you her CV.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 January 2011 - 15:00
Have a wonderful young friend who is an Aupair/Nanny with lots of experience with little ones and is looking to come to Dubai. Please email if you need a loving caring nanny for your children. She is currently in Germany but has had lots of experience with little one's in Australia and she has a heart of gold!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 22:22
Hi! I just tried to ring their number and there was no answer! Does anyone have any idea how much it costs approx to sponsor a nanny? It works out to around 8-9k which includes a 2k deposit which you get back once the maid either leaves the country or moves to a new sponsor.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 16:02
can i ask why it is illegal to hire a nanny on her visa? (sorry to sound naive/stoopid, but havent got a clue...) thanks As far as I understand, domestic workers have slightly stricter rules applicable to them than the rest of us, so basically, the only legal way for them to work for you is for them to either be under your sponsorship or under the sponsorship of a company that provides domestic services.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 14:38
Hi! I just tried to ring their number and there was no answer! Does anyone have any idea how much it costs approx to sponsor a nanny?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 13:53
just tried the majesticnannies website and i found it a bit tricky to get info/navigate/submit the form... (usually quite pc competent, i promise! lol) english rose, let me know if u have any better luck.... xxx
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 13:39
I don't know where you are based but Emirates British Nursery in Mirdif take babies from 3 months, maybe the one in Motor City will as well when it opens. The teacher who looks after the little ones is fabulous.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2011 - 13:30
hi! i am in the same situation as English Rose, well i will be when i finally give birth! lol can i ask why it is illegal to hire a nanny on her visa? (sorry to sound naive/stoopid, but havent got a clue...) thanks
 
 

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