Day-care in Hong Kong

Posted by boedker (416 days ago)

Hello Hong Kong mums and dads,

I am moving to Hong Kong with my family of 3 in September 2007. In Hong Kong I will be studying at HKU during evening time. My son will be 17 months old at that time.

Right now he goes to day-care (6 months – 3 years) while I work and he loves it. It stimulates him and he enjoys to see other children and play with different toys.

So I am looking for a similar day-care in Hong Kong - however I am only planning him to attend approximately 2-3 hours a day. I have not found anything on the internet – only playgroups where the mother (or someone else) attends. Doesn’t day-care exist in Hong Kong for the smaller kids? And how much do you approximately pay for this. We will be living in the Repulse Bay/Stanley/Tai Tam area.

Best regards Boedker

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Posted by cara (416 days ago)

the only day cares that exist in hk are run by the gov't. as far as i know they have an income cap and a waiting list.

not only that, but it would work out to be about the same price as a full time ilve-in domestic helper. this is why so many of us have opted for this. you may want to think about it. my brother just finished a 2 year program in canada. his two boys were at home with his partner.

if you were able to have a helper then you could choose when to study and when to spend time with your child.

good luck!

Posted by boedker (403 days ago)

Thanks for your answer Cara.

I guess that day-care is out of the question.

How much time do you need to hire a helper? We have persuaded the grandmother to accompany us the first two weeks (where I start school, my husband starts to work, and we have to buy all our furniture) – will two weeks be enough? And what do I have to be aware of? Do I hire through an agency or do I just call on ads?

Please – share your experiences with this.

Kind regards Boedker

Posted by Spockey (402 days ago)

You need between 2-8 weeks at least to get a domestic helper's visa sorted. It really depends on the situation that each helper is in:
1. Finished conract (in HK) - 2-4 weeks
2. From Phil or DHs in HK who didn't finish contract - 4 wks to up to 2-3 months??? But i think on average it's about 8 weeks.

We got ours who completed a contract... got the DH visa in 3 weeks.

Posted by cara (402 days ago)

also, if you choose the first group and tell immig that you are in DIRE need, they may be able to speed it up for you.

usually my advice would be to avoid the agencies because most of the helpers already know how to process their visas etc. but because time is of the essence, i'd say, yes contact an agency and be SPECIFIC about your requirements. tell them if they don't send people for an interview that meets the requirements that you have laid you, you will view it as a waste of your time and go to a different agency. (but, of course, say it nicely!)

before that, really think about what you want in a helper & what your priorities are. is it someone that can plan meals and cook without supervision? is it someone with a lot of experience with a newborn? is it someone that can keep your house immaculate? or are you looking for someone that can do everything reasonably well? do you need someone that can plan, cook & serve fancy dinner parties, etc?

also, make sure your helper can read english...give them something to read, so that you know that if yougive them written instructions, they can read and follow them precisely.
good luck!

Posted by mumof2boys (383 days ago)

Hi boedkr,
Day care is not entirely out of the question!
I am a kindergarten teacher and I missed the NZ style of daycare so much I have opened my home up as a daycare centre. It is very restricted in numbers and I only accept a max of 4 children. But I have two toddlers myself and my husband and helper are around also. My husband also teaches kindergarten.
Please see my website for details:
http://gregandsoniainasia.typepad.com

or email me for info:
gregandsonia@keptprivate.com

Posted by Lily&Lukas (339 days ago)

I know I am a bit late for a reply but just wanted to let you know :

We arrived in Hong Kong when my daughter was 14 months, I needed to work full time, and we had no problem finding 'school for her'! ... but we did have no choice but to send her to an all Mandarin and Cantonese speaking environment (which has actually been really good for her). She went to Bo Bo Nurseries in Taikoo Shing - they were excellent and lily had lots of fun there. The principle speaks perfect English and the teachers a little, so as a non-Chinese speaking expat, I was satisfied that I always knew how she was doing and what she was doing! For any other info you need give me a PM :) When she reached 2yrs i went part time at work and she went to a local international class and had lots of fun there as well!