Posted by
momnew2hk
15 yrs ago
Hello,
I am new in Hong Kong. I need to hire a live-out helper to take care of my toddler as I am going to work starting January. I recently found out that live-out foreign domestic helpers are illegal. So, I have to find a local one. Any advice where to start? I prefer a helper that speaks English so I can communicate with her.
Also, I was wondering if anyone has experience with day nursery for 2-year olds that could share.
Thanks
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First of all, I suggest you at least consider a live-in. It is way cheaper and more convenient than live out.
The day care situation in HK is very much influenced by the fact that so many people have helpers. All day day-cares of the Western stripe are quite hard to find.
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Thanks Wiz Bang. I checked out the web site. the services are great, but too expensive for me.
axptguy38, I live in a small one-bedroom apartment. So unfortunately the live-in option is out for me :(
Cara, daycares and local helpers are the only options I have. I am contacting the child care centers in the list below to see if they have vacancy for January:
http://www.swd.gov.hk/doc/family/ccc/Child%20Care%20Centre%20Co-registered%20with%20Kindergarten%20%28as%20at%201%20September%202009%29.pdf
But so far I have not found anything. I'll update this thread when I find a solution.
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cd
15 yrs ago
Maybe conatct immigration, I thought it was still possible to get a legal live out if you get immigrations permission, maybe a 1 bedroomed place would be enough reason for them to grant it to you.
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"axptguy38, I live in a small one-bedroom apartment. So unfortunately the live-in option is out for me :("
Yes I see. As cd says, you may get an exemption from Immigration, but it is unfortunately rather unlikely.
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Thanks cd and axptguy38. I already wrote a letter to the immigration. They said there was no way they would give me permission to hire a live-out helper.
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The exemptions pretty much ended several years ago. I would say the only people who still have live-outs are the ones with those same helpers who got the exemptions, since existing employees were grandfathered in the new order.
Just to put all the options out there, even the less palatable ones, you do not have to have a maid's room. Technically the maid only needs to have a "space". A fold down bed is in fact acceptable by Immigration. Probably not something you want to consider, but the possibility does exist.
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dasia
15 yrs ago
momnew2hk, I have a 'local' domestic helper who speakes and reads/writes English. I will ask her if she knows of another local who she could recommend.
I am travelling at the moment so will be later in the week before I get back to you.
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That would be great dasia. I look forward to hearing from you.
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It's really a change & refreshing to see reader here advising OP to put her helper up in a fold-down bed and that helper can just have a 'space' . It used to be 'FDH' without a reasonable room etc. etc. is considered a no no, and some even added slavery to the scenario.
Glad to hear that those living long enough in HK understand the situation of some of HK's house-holds and their problems due to the lack of space.
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have you checked out the creche on these sites?
http://www.hkspc.org/eng/centre/daycreche/index.htm
http://www.montessori-edu.com/MSHK4.htm
http://www.unionchurchhk.org/content/view/666/232/
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As cara said, I am certainly not advocating a fold-down bed if there is more space available. A maid's room should always be the first choice, even if it is the size of a broom closet. However in some cases I realize it might not be possible.
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GreenValleys, could you copy and paste the reference in this thread? I searched the minimum wage thread but I didn't find any reference to an agency. Thanks.
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dasia
15 yrs ago
momnew2hk. Apologies for not getting back to you sooner - have been travelling. Spoke with my (loca)l helper yesterday and unfortunately she doesn't know of any local who is looking for work or for a change.
Sorry I could not help.
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"It's really a change & refreshing to see reader here advising OP to put her helper up in a fold-down bed and that helper can just have a 'space'"
Who and where? I haven't seen that written.
As for the rest of the post, same as the beginning! People were only commenting on the rules from Immigration, nothing more, nothing less. Strange how some read what they like into that.
Now for the OP the cost of a local helper may be prohibitive as well. Local help is normally between $50-$80/hr. More than the cost of a nursery. Go with the better nursery's if you can. Some of the government run one's look more like Eastern European orphanages.
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Agreed, evildeeds. I didn't "advise". I simply stated that it was acceptable. That is hardly the same as advising. Below is what I wrote.
"Just to put all the options out there, even the less palatable ones, you do not have to have a maid's room. Technically the maid only needs to have a "space". A fold down bed is in fact acceptable by Immigration. Probably not something you want to consider, but the possibility does exist."
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FKKC
15 yrs ago
Men can be so narrow-minded.
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FKKC, I don't understand what you mean by that exactly.
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you can hire a part time baby sitter who has a valid working visa permit. Domestic helpers arent allowed to do such and its against the law to work with another person but there are a lot of helpers who are still doing such thing. If you need help then i can recommend one.
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sorry i am wrong. what i mean is those holders of dependent visa or permanent resident ones. they can work to anybody they want to.
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If you don't my age and haven't find someone work with you, I would like to apply for your work, I can say in English, Chinese also have Hong Kong Identity Card. I have to take care of children's experience. Here have my contact information sjoanarc@live.com
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Hello momnewshk. I am a local and has beeing working as a live-out helpers for years. Being a mother of 4 , I am experienced in taking care of toddlers. I can speak some simple English.If you still haven't found the right person yet, please feel free to contact me by email, Marisaki0020@yahoo.com.hk
Many thanks!
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Well, no surprise there. Also don't forget the cost of coming and going.
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