Domestic helper/nanny caring for children

[sasettershank]

Is anyone able to tell me if they have experience where both parents work while the domestic helper or nanny cares for the children. As I mentioned earlier we are planning on moving our young family to singapore however I will be working part time with my husband working full time. I am just worried whether or not the helpers are able to safely care for the 4 children. On the days that I don't work I will be around to help as I love being with the children and don't want to "outsource" but there will be 3 days per week where it is just the helper and the children.

Is anyone able to advise me on how they have found it? we are quite fortunate in Australia with a wonderful nanny but it costs a lot ie. AUD450 for just 2 days per week.

thanks for your advice!!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Probably 90% of all the families who have maids and young children here in Singapore fit that description. (Domestic Helper - NOT nanny). However, with 4 children, you might need two domestic helpers as I doubt seriously that one could handle the domestic chores as well as minding 4 kiddos as well. My best mate's wife just gave birth around 2 months ago to Triplets. She's had to take on 2 domestics in order to handle the load as well. But remember, you need to have considerable room in your home to house them properly as well.

[k1w1]

How old are your children?

You will be better off with a very experienced transfer maid. Personally, I would be looking for someone who has children herself (though this does not guarantee common sense, unfortunately, but it does help - in my experience anyway).

Some maids are fantastic and worth their weight in gold. You can find them, but it can take some looking.

[sasettershank]

my children are 5, 4, and twins that are 1 years old..

[ecureilx]

You will be better off with a very experienced transfer maid. Personally, I would be looking for someone who has children herself (though this does not guarantee com

Pssst : most maids here have had children back home, but when they land in Singapore, most refuse to take care of children ..

[k1w1]

my children are 5, 4, and twins that are 1 years old..

Wow! Busy household!

I agree with SMS - it is a good idea to consider two helpers in this case. Your four and five year old could also go into a preschool in the mornings. Mine went to a local place which was great - you could consider something like that so the maid isn't at least dealing with all the kids on her own. Lots of places allow three days a week.

[k1w1]

You will be better off with a very experienced transfer maid. Personally, I would be looking for someone who has children herself (though this does not guarantee com

Pssst : most maids here have had children back home, but when they land in Singapore, most refuse to take care of children ..

I never met a maid who refused to take care of children.

[ecureilx]

I never met a maid who refused to take care of children.

Oh boy, if you ever see the 'wish list' of the maids, especially the transfer maids ..

And even new maids, it only takes 6 months before they say that they prefer to work for family without kids ..

Of course, then reality strikes ..

[movingtospore]

I haven't been here that long, but I would say the helpers here are nowhere near on the same level as a nanny at home. We shared a nanny back home who was from the Philippines, and she was amazing. An ex-teacher, she was completely self-sufficient and reliable. But, those types of helpers/nannies don't often stay in Singapore - they have the skills and education to emigrate to Europe or North America.

As long as you know that, and plan for it, it will be OK. For example, with your nanny at home you may have been happy to leave her to her own devices with your kids, and she would happily figure out an afternoon full of games, trips to parks, etc. I think you will find here that you need to map all of that our for your helper, as well as your expectations regarding how she interacts with your children (do you want her doing everything for them, or do they need to make their own bed, clear the table, etc). And then you need to continually reinforce that. You also need to very clearly outline what you think is and isn't safe - don't assume she will know that, whether it's not feeding children things they can choke on, not letting them in the pool when your not home, etc. Don't leave anything to common sense, as your interpretation of what that is, and your helper's will be quite different. That's been my experience anyways!

So, if you are going to be a home where both of you work, as we are, it can be done! But, you need to be prepared to micro-manage your helper.