Babyrat | ExpatWoman.com
 

Babyrat

Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 23:53
I am assuming that she hasn't worked out of Sri Lanka before. A Sri Lankan maid who has not worked outside of Sri Lanka before do have to do I think it's a week training on how to be a housemaid. They are taught how to iron, use household appliances etc. It is all on the sri lankan consulate website. The only reason why I know this was I had to do a bit of research on maids from different countries who come to work in the UAE.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 23:47
What is the probability of the police knowing a maid is making extra AEDs in someone's house? In the time I have been here police have never been to my apartment and I almost every week get under my apartment door a hand written note from a maid offering her services.... Is it really a big risk or it is the same as other things in Dubai i.e. not having alcohol license, living with your boyfriend, etc. that a lot of people does and nothing happens? Just asking. Your right alot of people do do it and its a risk that they take and its their choice to take that risk but when you sponsor a maid and she put's your family risk that isn't the sponsors choice.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 October 2011 - 20:38
If you want the whole package I think Motorcity has it all. You shouldn't be paying more than 95kaed for a 3 bed plus maid. The downside is Emicool - I have a 3 bed and my Emicool for September was just over 1000AED but that is the most expensive it has ever been. The good thing about the apartments here is that there is 24 hour maintenance so anything goes wrong you call and they normally come within the hour except on a Friday. There are lots of families and kids around as well. DH and I both work full time so it is ideal that our homehelp can take our 3 year old out and play. Plus there is the largest Spinneys in Dubai there. Do you discount Discovery Gardens its is very family orientated and also closer to DIP where your DH is working. For me it was just a bit too far for getting to work and dropping DD off at school in the mornings. Have to say if you want space you can't beat the size of the apartments in Motorcity.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2011 - 23:08
DubaiCat, Hopefully I can give your friend some hope. I was told that I would never conceive naturally. I went through 3 courses of IVF. It totally stressed me out. I just gave up hope and decided to focus on making money. Started a new job an some six months down the line I fell pregnant naturally and now have a 3 year DD. xxx
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2011 - 21:13
That's just too cute.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2011 - 21:09
My DD started at Cello at 3. She wears the pink tutu ballet shoes etc and she really enjoys it. Her teacher Ms Vicky seems to make it fun. DD never wears her hair up either. I just about get a clip in it!
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 21:58
We had one today I did notice "bake sale" was in quotes as a working mum I actually went to Spinneys and bought them much easier for me anyway - I didn't feel guilty about not baking!
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 21:50
Hamit - he was at Fitness First for quite a few years and has just set up on his own - mob - 050 255 4101. I trained with him for quite a few years. He saw me through pre and post pregnancy. Works you hard but you don't know it - very passionate about his work.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 21:47
Seafire for sure. I work next door to Ruth Chris and have had a few lunches and dinners there and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 22:48
As far as I can remember the PO Boxes on the Palm were only for Shoreline residences. Try logging on to www.crestofdubai.com which is the Palm Community website. You will most probably find someone there who will know the answer.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 22:31
Personally I opted for a British curriculum when DD started FS1 this September. My theory behind that was ultimately we would at some stage be going back to the UK. Not trying to panic you or anything but as someone has already mentioned you should check to see what the waiting lists are like for FS1 in British curriculum schools. I had DD down at a certain British curriculum school when she was around 15 or 16 months and she never even got an assessment!
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 22:26
Yes I have done since she was about 2 years old. Get mine from the Life Chemist. Once she runs out I get her another brand. At the moment she has one that contains all these fishy oils. As long as she eats them I'll give them to her. DD isn't a fussy eater but she's not a massive fan of fish it could be just the way I cook it though.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 22:15
Thanks a lot. It is exactly a "chicken and egg situation". But i don't want it to be an issue when the offer comes up, because it might be my only chance. I guess a few weeks can also be solved with temporary solutions like DH taking leave, picking up during lunch breaks, and so on, but what a perspective! I can afford it, but I honestly prefer to use the money in something else. The list of possibilities there is way too long. The only downside to "temporary solutions" is what happens if one of them is sick, DH stuck in a meeting can't get out basically it always falls back down to the mother. DD never really wants her dad when she is sick.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 20:19
If you go to the Westin ask for a table next to the kids play area. Actually the Address has a really good brunch on a Saturday which has a bouncy castle for kids.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:47
I live in Motorcity - you should try contacting the Emirates NBD Rental direct - I know there are empty apartments in my building.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:43
Just wanted to bump this up
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:40
When Brick Lane first opened they were amazing at one stage I was ordering every weekend from them but they have gone down hill as of late. I've not ordered from the for well over 4 months now as I felt ill from my last meal. Still on the hunt for that British Curry House in Dubai!
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:36
Do they go to nursery? If so, why not ask one of the class helpers if they would like to babysit?
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:35
We should have a section for lunch box ideas! Anyway I've been struggling to put things but here goes, I always put a little bit of fruit in ie., grapes, apples, orange segments, sandwich turkey or cheese - cheese and biscuits - chicken drum sticks - little sausages, rice cakes.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 08 October 2011 - 19:29
We don't have a separate kitchen so she cooks whatever she likes as it doesn't smell too much but when she cooks fish which the fry to kingdom come she does it on a hotplate outside! I cannot bear the smell of "fish sauce" but she has that she always lights a candle to try and hide the smell.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 October 2011 - 16:52
i dont prefer him to start school at 3, I think 3 is wayy too early for school. I prefer 4 or 5 My DD started FS1 she is 3 this September. Not first choice of school but I am happy with it. I would have liked to keep her nursery for at least another year but it wasn't an option as the school would not defer the placement for another year. DD has been on a wait list since she was 14 months old and didn't even get a assessment for my first choice of school and just to put her name on the wait list cost m 500AED. What I'm saying is you could start looking around now and put his name down on a wait list of your choice.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 22:59
When she gets her residency visa it will give you the expiry date.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 22:55
You should try asking on www.crestofdubai.com the Palm's community website. When I lived there and we had a lived out nanny she managed to get a lift in with a couple of other housemaids.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 22:52
You can contact Bupa International direct. My only problem with Bupa was that every time I claimed for DD I had to send all the documents back to the UK. Have to say they always paid out within a couple of weeks.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 October 2011 - 22:45
This is a chicken and an egg situation. If you know that you definitely want to go and get a job then I would start looking for a maid now. It may take you a day, a week or even a couple of months to find a maid that your happy with and who you will trust to leave your children to. You will also have to bear in mind as Twokids has mentioned the cost of hiring a maid if you don't find a job. The cost of sponsorship is around 8,000AED in Dubai and you will have to sponsor basically as soon as she enters your employment plus her monthly salary. I work full time and my homehelp, picks up my little one and looks after her until I get home from work. DD is at school til 12.30pm so during the morning homehelp does her chores ie., cleaning, tidying and iron and prepares DD's lunch for when she get home from school.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 20:17
I think if the husband owns the company than its allowed...but I could be wrong... my friends who own companies have all sponsored their maids through the company and it makes life for the maid easier, even easier for them to travel if you need to take them with you. Technically that is illegal unless the agency is a housemaid agency. Housemaids visas are renewable yearly and their visa states that they are "servants". Company visa's are normally for 2 or 3 years depending whether you have a freezone visa or not. But hey if you can get away with it why not.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 22:56
Hi, I live in Motorcity and I have a daughter who attends Star International which is just off Al Wasl Road. In the morning it takes us door to door 20 to 25 minutes. With no traffic about 15 minutes. In a taxi a return journey should cost you between 65AED and 70AED.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 September 2011 - 22:45
For DD's 3rd birthday last year - I gave her the ELC book to look at and she kept pointing to the same things over and over again. She ended up getting a doll, with bed cot, pram and high chair.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 September 2011 - 23:04
JulesLC, I am still pro blossom, I think its a really good nursery for the kids in terms of activities, variety of food etc but they don't seem to be able to keep their staff for very long. The management has changed more times than I can remember to the point I can't keep up. I understand that Dubai is a transient place but I can't understand how all the good teachers always leave and it isn't because they are leaving the country either.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 September 2011 - 22:55
Herbie, the thing with their class size which took me ages to get my ahead around is that they have a maximum of 20 kids per class for example but those 20 kids do not go to nursery everyday on average DD had around 12 in her class. Not everyone sends their kids to nursery everyday. DD did 3 days a week. I only know 2 of her friends that went every day. My second option was Rising Star which is nearby. Loved the nursery but for me Blossom ticked all the boxes.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 September 2011 - 22:48
Children's Oasis has a daycare centre on the Palm Jumeriah.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 21:02
DD has just left Blossom's nursery. She was really really happy there. My only niggle was the management of the place. Teachers were nice but for some reason they can't manage to hold on to the really good teachers.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 20:58
Have a look at Blossoms which is just off Al Wasl Road - DD went there for 2 years until she moved to FS1 in September. They offer breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack. For me it was really useful. The menu is rotated every week. It tastes ok as well. Well I suppose she is used to my cooking.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 20:52
That is not entirely true. It is up to sister-in-law's insurance company. My brother and his family came out last Christmas and he drove my car. I'm with RSA. I contacted them and they said he could drive with a valid UK licence. I telephoned twice and got the same answer both times with RSA so was satisfied with the answer.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 26 September 2011 - 20:46
It depends on your Landlord I think. I live in an apartment and our landlord is Emirates NBD and they do everything, service the air conditioning - fix the white goods etc, saying that they have to fix everything cause the air con always leaks, ceiling has fallen down twice - what more can I say.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 23:54
That's where I got our maid's bed from too. It is full length but slightly smaller than a single. I also managed to put a small wardrobe in her room as well which I got from Ikea. She also has shelving in her room to for her TV and laptop.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 23:49
There are quite a few schools around that area and bearing in mind you are potentially putting in 3 kids you may just get them in. You should have a look at Star International in Jumeriah, Jumeriah Primary school They are all quite close to each other. I have a little one at Star. Good luck edited by Babyrat on 20/09/2011
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 23:45
I may be returning to work and have 2 little ones, a 1 year old and a 2 year old who would need to go to nursery. The one's I've looked at seem to be full of philipinos sat around chatting to each other and pretty much ignoring the children. Are all the nurseries here like this? Can anyone recommend a good nursery around umm suqeim or the marina area? I can well recommend Blossom. DD was there from around 16 months until she started FS1 this September. Everyone there is really friend but they give the kids a very broad variety of activities. From 18 months she was exposed to arabic and french obviously just sing songs. Dubai Drums comes in once a week for a session with each of the classes. They have a swimming pool and a soft play area. Blossom isn't for everyone I know but it was perfect for my little one. I wold have kept her there for another year if she didn't get a place in FS1.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 23:40
I've signed up for this - I brought the book a while back when I saw it advertised in DD's nursery. DH, homehelp and me are all doing the course. I did my research and they are accredited by all the right people. As far as I understand, DH and I will be doing the course in one training room and homehelp will be doing the training in another room. Anyway it works for me. ps., you cannot put a price on knowledge where safety is concerned in my opinion.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 23:30
I use a guy called Hamit - his telephone number is 050 255 41 01. He comes out to me in the mornings. I've trained with Hamit for the past 4 years. The guy is really passionate about his job. He trained me throughout my pregnancy as well which I think helped me have an easier labour and help me lose my baby weight! He comes highly recommended from me.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 September 2011 - 23:13
Have a look at your husband's contract? Labour law only says what holidays you are entitled to. I work for a western company and we are given Christmas Day and Boxing as extra holiday but in my contract I can only have those days off if we are not busy. If its busy then its all hands on deck that's how I see it. So in answer to your question yes the company can reject leave. Obviously not what you want to hear.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 September 2011 - 19:18
Apparently so! Everyone needs one. It is optional for children to actually have the card but they still need to be registered - thats what our Company PRO told us.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 02 September 2011 - 23:18
Have you tried Moorfields Eye Hospital which is based in Health Care City? Can't recommend anyone but thats where I would start with an eye problem if it wasn't resolved by the GP.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 August 2011 - 23:10
Freezone companies still give out 3 year visas but local Dubai companies give out 2 year visas.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 August 2011 - 23:18
38 weeks
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 August 2011 - 23:17
Your DH's PRO is correct as that is what we had to do as well. I couriered the certificate to Milton Keynes with the return address to my sister's in the UK. She took it down to the UAE office in London and then couriered it back to me and then I did all the leg work here in Dubai. In total it took around 10 days. Once done thats the end of it. I think you will find on the DIFC website that is one of the requirements. DH visa is DIFC and we have just recently done it for DD.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 August 2011 - 23:10
Your maid will most probably know that it is illegal to work part time for other people but is not that bothered about the consequences until actually caught. I would go with your hunch speak to her. She will most probably deny it but it gives her the opportunity to stop straightaway and also explain the consequences of being caught working part time for all concerned. If in a week or so you still think she is doing it then go to plan B which is to cancel her days off at short notice. There must be an element of trust. She has to respect your wishes as much as we have to respect theirs in giving them the freedom to do as they see fit ie., go out with their friends etc etc.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 30 August 2011 - 22:52
If I could afford it I would opt for a villa. Nice garden for DH to read his morning newspaper whilst your toddler is amusing themselves what more can you ask for. DD used to love climbing the stairs back in the UK.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 22:09
I've given up posting on it. As you say no one really uses it that much. There is a ladies morning which is posted so quite a few people do know about it.
Babyrat
656
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 22:06
Hi, I would only say that if you have withdrawn your DD from FS1 you might find it hard to get her a place next September in FS2. DD will be starting in FS1 in September and one of the reasons I am going to let her go is that she has been offered a place most of her little mates do not have a place in FS1. With regard to your situation bearing in mind you haven't actually found a job yet and you are planning to go full time - maybe you should look at taking your time to hire a helper for when you do start a job. DD can always go to nursery 3 days a week or even 2 days a week. I only had DD at nursery 3 days a week and the other two the maid had her. Good luck in finding a job. x
 
 
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