Overseas Nanny

[OverseasNanny]

I am regular name changer looking for some advice/perspectives on hiring a British nanny to work overseas.

I live in the UAE and would like to employ a nanny from my home country to look after my 3DC (2 at school one at nursery).

There are no agencies that I am aware of based here in the UAE so I'm rather shooting in the dark.

The position would be live in but I have concerns that it might be a bit isolating - there would be plenty of other mums around but most nannies are from the Philippines and it is unlikely there would be much integration.

During term time the nanny would be required to take the kids to school and collect - the hours between 8 and 3 would be largely their own, however after school is likely be until 8pm so long hours. Also school holidays are long and it can be difficult to find entertainment outside the beach/pool which can be hot.

We have a pool and gym where we live and the nanny would have her own room and bathroom and access to the children's "den" which we don't use in the evening so some space of her own.

I'm just concerned about isolation - what do you think? How do I make this more attractive as a role?

Appreciate thoughts of those who have been in same position on either side or from anyone who fancies contributing. Thanks

I think any live-in job abroad could be quite isolating, even jobs in the UK can be isolating.

My first thought was to do with Visa requirements... as the nanny would be working rather than visiting on holiday, are there any visa requirements?

Would other mums to talk to them, or do you get the impression that mums and nannies don't talk?

Hi - thanks for response.

The visa shouldn't be an issue but I'm in the process of confirming that. Obviously I'll only pursue this if I can legitimise that aspect.

It's really difficult for me to judge whether mums generally would be welcoming- I'm certain my friends would be and would like to think that that would be the general attitude but if I'm frank there is a culture of considering nannies as "staff" and therefore lesser amongst many of the Arab and Indian expats. Although I suspect that may be reduced in relation to a British nanny.

Either way there is not going to be many (any?) other British nannies and so the isolation factor concerns me and I'm not sure I can overcome that.

What could make a job like this attractive do you think? Is it even possible? I'm conscious that a nanny who hates her job is worse than no nanny!

Tbh It sounds thoroughly unappealing to me! She doesn't even have the DC's to keep her busy during the day, so very isolating/boring.

To make it more appealing I would say;

Pay well
Be very accommodating to any guests she may want to come out and visit
Actively seek out some links for her. This doesn't have to be other nannies or friends with children. If the nanny is young and single it's likely she wants young, single friends, do you know anyone? Neighbours, people at work etc.
Do your homework about what there is to do and let her know
Maybe offer a trip home as part of the package

Yes I realise it is unappealing - which is why I posted.

The suggestion about flexibility with guests is a good one and I would offer a flight home as part of the package.

I suppose it might suit someone who wanted to study as during term they would pretty much have the school day to themselves. Although as I say holidays are long - 11 weeks in summer for example.

I would pay well - although I am thinking comparable with London salary (tax free) would that be enough if it's that much of a hardship posting? I also realise it's not just about the money - I need someone who is going to be happy and willing to run with the slightly outside the norm scenario.

I'm trying to look at the pluses: she would obviously have full use of the gym/pool and use of a car/driver which Would extend to her non working hours so could do whatever she usually did with time off: yoga/beach/study/sit on arse and watch TV. I guess she would meet people through those activities and I could put her in touch with a couple of people but I guess I don't think it would work if I felt I had to be responsible for her social life.

For the nannies on here -especially those that have moved for work- what is it about your job that makes you stay?

As an overseas nanny

What makes me stay is..

A mum boss who says thank you at the end of most days

A fam who are open ,. Direct,. Genuine and the big C.... Communicative

Iluvkids - thanks

I hope I'm all those things

I think I'm just worried that it is a big step - encouraging someone to move overseas could be disastrous if they're not happy.

I guess it's a niche role - it might suit someone but not everyone, I just don't want to make a mistake.

I live in Asia so different but similar culture regarding Nannies. I know of one who did this - mid twenties, single, wanted a challenge but confident enough to make her own friends.

As you spotted the big struggle was the social side - SAHM and Filipino Nannies both tended to shy away. The flip side is other young, single people tend to be free at weekends or evenings - so what about offering something there. You need her to work til 8pm - is that the latest or is it likely to often be into the evenings - do you mind her going out after that? Weekends - would she be working - mornings/all day/evenings? She would leave Saturday lunchtime and go stay with friends until late Sunday evening.

The lady I know loved the free days - she explored, learnt a language and did lots of sport. Holidays were painful esp as a lot of the SAHM's took the families back home but she had a pretty free reign to sign kids up for Classes that would interest them and she was pretty much the go to person for ferrying kids about - which is fairness she took in good grace, as much because it helped occupy the kids.

Lasted about 18 months before it all became a bit too much for her, and she moved abroad again but somewhere more westernized. Is your intention to have someone for a long time or are you on an assignment/kids of an age that requirements would change anyway?

I do think it could work but as you say its a niche market - I'd say honesty up front would be the big thing followed by flexibility once they arrived in case things needed to be "tweaked" (Mind you Tax Free is a big incentive!)

It would be a great opportunity for someone, I loved my international positions when I was younger, now need to stay closer to home as I have a partner.

Check out Burlington Nannies - they are UK based however I believe they had a ME office. Or any of the main London offices would be able to help. Of course if your home country isn't UK then I'd contact local home agencies.

As for the social side during work I really didn't have any confidents however after work I met a lot of young people through chance and posting online, it seems once you've met one person a whole group follows.

Definitely would be good for someone studying.

Also keep in mind that usually the family pays for a return trip home and also health insurance and in my contract I added in shipping at end.

As for tax free it doesn't normally work like that as the UK still want their tax? Thats what my accountant told me unless its to do with a certain time scale.

Could there be a role for their partner - ie gardener - handyman - butler - chef - chauffeur etc

And advertise job for a couple? That would solve the loneliness prob at the beginning?

And a years contract?

Are you looking for someone permanent or would you consider nannies who only stay for a year? To me the prospect of a year in a warm climate with a pool/gym/driver, lots of free time and the possibility of having the odd friend come and stay sounds very appealing, while a longer stay would not be.

Having 'imported' a nanny from the UK myself to work oversease it is possible but you really need to do a lot of vetting of the nanny's personality as much as their childcare ability and a lot of groundwork finding expat circles for them to integrate into. If, for example, your DC are at an international school would the teachers there be interested in socialising? I would also avoid very young nannies and those in their first overseas position. Unless you're prepared to take a big risk it's important that they've coped being overseas alone before.

When I was a nanny it was easiest when I had another project to keep me going, whether that was studying or something else, so it could well suit a self-starter or someone with an established sideline.

I occasionally see the odd post on the nannyjob forums from someone in the Middle East so there are people out there. Plus Nannies Inc have a Dubai office so there is definitely a ME market for nannies.

I second that .. nannies inc are great

Thanks for all your input - it's been helpful.

I think I would be looking for someone permanent although I use the term loosely as we won't be here forever and a new role may take me elsewhere at some point.

Unfortunately there would be no role for a spouse - we are not quite in the realms of needing a chauffeur or butler and a driver here is a very different proposition.

I've just had a look at the nanny inc website which does look great but I am slightly shocked by the fees which would be somewhere around the £10k mark having no experience of these things I find that a little surprising, although prepared to be told I'm wrong.

Have a look at some nanny agencies, i know there are a few in Australia that have sent nannies to the UAE, and there are alot more from England agencies, they are not all completely expensive you just need to look about

I would take a job like that in a flash but now married!!! I am sure there are more nannies out there who would love a position like this. Have you tried putting an ad in the "Lady" magazine also nannyjob.co.uk. Some nannies may want to use an agency when taking on overseas positions just to have back up if things go wrong.

Have you tried advertising for British/Aussi/kiwi/saffa who is already in Dubai? Perhaps woman who wants to work to stay with BF who is there?

Might have less experience, but the balance is that her social life is established. I suppose she wouldn't want to live-in though. Is that necessary?

Okay, i have had the same thing happen, i too hired a nanny from the UK to come overseas when my husband and I moved abroad for a few year. only one of the five companies i contacted actually managed to get it done. I used occasional and permanent nannies. Absolutely fantastic, couldn't have asked for a better service.