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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

nanny/maid not treated right

108 replies

nannyuk · 18/07/2015 10:45

Hi i am not really sure what i am after by posting here but i think i just need to vent. i work as a holiday nanny so i either go on holiday with a family to look after the children or i look after children that come on holiday to london.

The family that i have just started working for also have a maid/ nanny.
The maid has 5 child back in her home country and she was purchased by the family so she is not employed. She told me she is not paid at all and is on call 24/7 even has the youngest children sleep in her bed plus she has to keep the house tidy. I feel really bad for her :/ I have been working with her for a little while and she gets really happy if i do small things such as buy her a drink/ some lunch. She says that i am the kindest person she has ever met. Even the children treat her like dirt. (i am trying to fix that while i am with them) I really don't know what to do or even if there is anything i can do. just wanted to let it out and see if anyone had any ideas

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hhhhhhh · 18/07/2015 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lilacblossomtime · 18/07/2015 13:08

I am glad you are doing this but please be careful.

Penfold007 · 18/07/2015 15:33

Good luck Nannyuk hope your friend gets the help she needs.

SleepShake · 18/07/2015 15:42

OP, as long as this is what the maid wants and you haven't pushed her in to, what you are doing is amazing.

Why did they employ you though? Surely if she looks after all the kids in Saudi, they don't need your help in London?

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 18/07/2015 15:46

You have given her enough money to set her up at home for life?

I do hope she (and you) are genuine.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 18/07/2015 15:46

Sorry, "for a year"

NotKissingTipsy · 18/07/2015 16:04

Did you manage to get her there OP?

mrswishywashy · 18/07/2015 19:53

If you got this postion through an agency make sure that they will not place other nannies with the family again.

I've worked for many Middle eastern families that do pay their maids so hopefully people don't think all ME families treat their staff like crap.

Also make sure you are fully packed and can leave quickly. Maybe have someone you can check in with or a secret word if you are in danger.

bestguess23 · 18/07/2015 20:00

Good luck OP, that's a very brave and incredible thing you are doing. I hope she gets the help she needs. My db is a police officer and said the police absolutely should not have told you what they did. If you have any problems call again. In people trafficking the information initially does not need to come from the victim, so long as she will not just deny it when questioned.

lagirafe · 18/07/2015 20:03

I hope you can help her.

Sadly - totally "normal" in KSA Sad

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 20:31

Hello everyone a quick update thank you for all of your support. We went to the embassy and she is staying in a safe house tonight and then flying home tomorrow. I have given her £4000 (average yearly salary is £2000). so hopefully she will be ok. She seemed genuine and i aw first hand how she was being treated. I dont know what the comment about me being genuine was about? Also the employed me to teach the children about london and to help the children with english. xx

OP posts:
lagirafe · 18/07/2015 20:34

What an amazing person you are.

Karma is a wonderful thing - both for you and the family who enslaved her.

Do you need to go back to the family/children? I hope you won't be in any danger?

TattieHowkerz · 18/07/2015 20:37

Well done nanny. What an amazing thing you have done.

Keep safe.

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 20:37

No i am not going back. I am thinking that i will call any agencies that i know and give them her name so they are warned. I was introduced to her by another family :/

OP posts:
lagirafe · 18/07/2015 20:38

Glad you are safe Flowers

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 20:42

Btw i have worked for some lovely middle eastern families so i know they are not all the same.

OP posts:
Lolly86 · 18/07/2015 20:43

That was a very kind and wonderful you have done Flowers

Tummyrumbled · 18/07/2015 20:49

Excellent work, Nannyuk.

I'm sure the Filipina's children will be overjoyed to see their mum.

villainousbroodmare · 18/07/2015 20:50

You are extraordinary. How did you manage to just give her £4000?

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 20:54

I had it in savings and i went to the bank to get it out. We were saving for a wedding but bf said its better put to use helping someone and we can save again. I hope she will be able to get her life sorted out.

OP posts:
SleepShake · 18/07/2015 21:01

Nannyuk, you've done a wonderful thing! If you are looking for a year round job, give me a shout.

mrswishywashy · 18/07/2015 21:01

Wow, that was beyond generous of you and I do hope the maid doesn't abuse your good nature.

Sadly the pull of work in the ME is very strong so I hope she doesn't end up in same situation. I know plenty of maids, drivers, gardeners, chefs who work in the ME who do so to put their family in a better place. One maid I knew worked for 20 years for one family and in doing so has bought a property and house in her home country and put her two sons though university where they can now support you. Incredibly strong work and family ethic, I admire them.

Lucy61 · 18/07/2015 21:03

Nannyuk you are amazing!! Well done!

Cantkinsale · 18/07/2015 21:26

What happened with the children?

Penfold007 · 18/07/2015 21:26

NannyUK you have been amazing Flowers Wine