Where do I find a nanny in the Caribbean?

[Bighugsmummy]

Any agencies?

Eden have a good overseas desk. Might appeal to some nannies with Burlington and Inperial have in the past advertised jobs in the region. Nannies inc are also worth a shot as are Simply Angelic. All those are Lndon based though - I don't know any in the Caribbean!

What kind of nanny do you want as that will determine what kind of agency you go for? Perm or temp? Sole charge? Quals? How much experience? How much are you willing to pay nanny and how much in agency fees? Nationality?

If you want a local nanny I'd self-advertise tbh although there must be some kind of agency.

Check work permit rules for your location (the link is to Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Would the job suit a local, perhaps advertise locally... are there places to advertise, shop windows for example?

We are looking for a perm nanny for DD 6months old. We provide a self contained cottage in our garden.
To be honest I would like a nanny from England - nothing against the locals but no-one i have met is qualifed and we would like the chosen nanny to have at least 5years experience.
The hours we require would be Tues - Fri 8am to 7pm. We are willing to pay £500net.

I have been searching the net like a mad woman looking for an agency based here but no luck.
Most of my friends use thier housekeeper to look after the children, but me and DH are not happy with that as we want the nanny to just tend to our DD.
6 weeks holiday and 2 flights a year to home sountry.

As for the work permit - are they saying if a local can do it, someone cant get a permit?

If that is the case how do so many nannies go to Dubai, Moscow etc?

As for the work permit - are they saying if a local can do it, someone cant get a permit?

Yes, that's how I read it. Best that you check the situation out with the immigration authority.

If that is the case how do so many nannies go to Dubai, Moscow etc?
They aren't in Barbados! Different rules, different places.
If you are not on Barbados, you may find that there are different immigration rules for your island.

How did your friends get a housekeeper? If their housekeeper is from England, then maybe your friends can help with how to get a work permit. I suspect the housekeeper isn't from England though.

Some info here on visa types. Not sure it's of help... though there is an address at the bottom of the page for the Chief Immigration Office, Barbados.

I don't live in the Caribbean and don't know anything about living or working there. All info I get is via Google Search. So given that you do live there, please do contact the relevant authorities in your country to establish what rules and regulations there are with regard to employing someone, in particular to employing someone from another country.

bighugsmummy can I ask where in the caribbean you are? I am a nanny and my dp has a colleague with friends who own a business out there and has said to him a few times about going over to work for them.
Sorry to hijack your thread but I was wondering how you find life over there? It just seems so unknown to me that I'm really unsure about it.

Life is really nice and slow.
We have lived here for 4 years now and have never been happier.
Driving is a big advantage if you just need to pop to the shop.
We are in St Lucia.
Great place for our DD to grow up so much to do with her and the constant sunshine really is a bliss.
I can truly say it is a paradise - when we have found a great nanny

Some things which may be of interest to you, with regard to Work Permits for foreigners to work in St. Lucia

Mention of legislation plus fine

Costs of work permit (PDF)