If you both work full time in dubai and have kids how does it work!

[ChefsKisser]

DH has had a really good job offer in dubai and we are considering a move. My understanding is that part time working isn’t really a thing so I guess I’d had to work full time. We have two primary age kids- are there after school clubs or childcare? It seems the schools finish early so just wondering if we would have to get a nanny or similar? I work in healthcare so employable but salary won’t be enormous so wondering if a nanny would virtually cancel this out. Advice welcome!

There are tons of afterschool activities and yes you'll probably need a nanny. About 3500-4000aed a month. Varies depending on experience whether live in or live out.

Make sure his job offer includes schools and medical or is enough to cover it. Secondary school can cost nearly twice as much as primary. Make sure the figures stack up.

You get a live in nanny. There's pretty much no other way to do it unless your kids attend the same school one parent works at or one parent works unusually short hours for Dubai with an unusually long holiday allowance (or has an employer who doesn't mind the kids being at home whilst they work from home). Some people manage with live-out nannies, but this again requires a flexible employer (because the childcare is less reliable unless you get very lucky) and usually for you to live somewhere on a good public transport route. It's also a more expensive option.

I believe RGS has extended hours that might help but be aware that Dubai has a long hours work culture. I don't know what you do in healthcare but in nursing for example a 48 hour week is the norm.

That said, when people talk about nannies they really mean helpers and the cost is lower than in the UK. You're looking at about AED 5k a month for that (including salary, visa costs, flights, holiday cover).

You also need to factor in how your DC get to/from school. Many go by bus and the helper meets them at drop off, since they rarely drive or parents don't want to fund an extra car.

Average working hours per week were recently released and the UAE was top at 52 hours - sometimes I feel like I've done that by Wednesday!! In reality, though, the high number is due to those working in construction, retail, hospitality etc., with a 6 day week and long shifts.

Echoing what PP said - you'll need a live in nanny/helper. There are great agencies that will handle all the miscellaneous stuff for you (visa/flights/holiday cover) so there's nothing to worry about - almost everyone I know in the Middle East has a nanny of some sort, whether or not both parents work.