Singapore Expats

domestic help

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ffsgrelier
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Location: Clarke Quay area - Singapore

domestic help

Post by ffsgrelier » Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:49 pm

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject: domestic help

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Good afternnon from sunny London,

I am due to be moving to singapore in 3 weeks time with my little family and was wondering if anyone could give me more information or advice re getting an amah.
We shall be living near Clarke Quay, we have 2 lovely boys ( almost 5 and 7 years old) and are expecting our third child for early june.

I have read about getting domestic help in the relocation books and websites but am a bit confused on how to go about it.

I seem to have read from various postings that it would be better to hire someone who has already worked with expats families 9 and therefore get direct references), who already speaks english but am not sure how to find the right person.

I believe you can get part time help but am really looking into having someone my boys are used to and happy with for when the little addition decides to join us.

many thanks to anyone who can provide info on this matter.
frederique

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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:12 pm

ffsgrelier,

welcome to the forum. We hope you will enjoy your stay here in sunny (most of the time) singapore.

While on the forum, we would appreciate it if you would spam posts across several forums here. Most of us read all of them so spamming the same message across several just used up valuable band width. I have taken the liberty of deleting the duplicate of your post above in the General Forum.

A single post is sufficient.

In answer to your question. Upon arrival, journey down to Cold Storage Jelita, or Jasons or Tierneys and check out their bulliten boards. Usually you can find Domestic Help looking for transfers there. Otherwise, just open up the Saturday Straits Times and check out the Classified for Domestic Help. There are literally dozens upon dozens of agencies handling Domestic Workers. They will do all the work, including the insurance/bonds and other paperwork for you. It is better if you can find one that has expat experience but at the same time it can be a bad deal as well if the previous employer was extremely lax.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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micknlea
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Post by micknlea » Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:34 pm

Just a note to say to be careful when taking on a transfer, or even a new maid.

If employing a transferring maid, try and find out the real reason behind the transfer, some are truly because people are leaving etc etc, but others are trying to rid themselves of a helper who is not the best.

Look and try reading between the lines on references, whether through an agency or not. Be wary and have a set of questions ready for your interview. Set your standards and requirements and stick to them. Do not just take any girl who is offered to you just because someone else makes them sound great. Listen very carefully to what and how the girls answer your questions.

I know this sounds a bit over the top, but it is a big thing to take on, and many people end up with someone who is not suitable. It may take a while to find the person you need, I am just saying to be prepared for this and don't expect to find her overnight (although having said that you just might).
"My husband said it was him or the cat...I miss him sometimes." - Unknown

hamiltongirl
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Finding a helper

Post by hamiltongirl » Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:13 am

Hi Frederique,

I can recommend someone to you who runs an agency and who has success placing 3 maids with friends of mine. I am Australian and have been here since September with my family. Prior to that we relocated from London to Australia.

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you want to discuss further.

regards,
Fran

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ffsgrelier
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Post by ffsgrelier » Tue, 13 Mar 2007 6:05 pm

good morning,

Many thanks for all your helpful replies.

Sunday morningstaple, I am really sorry about posting the same twice. Am just a newbie and didn't mean to do anything wrong. Apologies and thanks for your advice re amah.

Micknlea, thanks for your input too. Sounds like a bit of a minefield really.

Fran, thanks for your help, I would be interested in getting the name of the agency as I am really keen on getting things set up asap . I just have this dreadful worry of having to go and have the baba by myself while my husband has to stay with our older boys.

Frederique

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