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Original poster

VIP/High Profile Nannying

28 replies

letsgoflyakite · 23/01/2012 13:59

Have namechanged for this, as didn't know what the response would be.

Just wondering if any of you nannies have done any VIP or High Profile work? I am (seriously) thinking of buggering off to Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Somewhere similar for a couple of years to work as a nanny. The salary is very attractive, and I know I will be working my arse off for likely no appreciation, but actually, if I can do it for two or 3 years, I can come back with £100,000 in my bank account because I will have practically no outgoings. Can anyone offer and pros/cons of such work?

Thanks :)

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escape · 23/01/2012 14:20

Hmmmm, it is unlikely that working in the UAE at tat level you would be employed by a Western family. Arab and Asian families have very different lifestyles . Your working hours would be at least 12 , 6 days a week - you would probably have a cook, housemaids etc etc , so no domestic duties per se, but you wouldn't be particularly respected in your role either - Western qualified nannies are very much in demand by very wealthy Arabs, but remember you would be living within a Muslim household. The rest of the household staff would be Asian and you would have very little pr no personal life outside of the house.

mrswishywashy · 23/01/2012 14:19

I've done it a couple of times and think as long as you interview the family well and keep an open mind you will enjoy it.

Pros:
Great way to save money
Great way to experience a different culture

Cons:
You may not be treated well (although when this happened to me I explained what I didn't like and said I'd give notice if they didn't change - they did)
You may have issues with other staff who may be paid a lot less and treated very badly.
It can be very lonely as the children can lead quite an insular life.

There are many other pro/cons but can't remember them well. Basically the more strict you are regarding the work conditions the better you will do.

ScarfOfSexualPreference · 23/01/2012 14:13

Well, not the same thing but I moved to what I thought was a normal job in France and ending up working all hours. Was a normal salery but as I had no life I did manage to save a fair bit. Not up to £100,000 or even £10,000 but having no social life helped me save!

I know of a teacher who taught in Adu Dhabi for a while, saved a load, lived there with her DH in school-provided accomadation and didn't want to come home at the end! Different I know but it is possible to enjoy something like that.