Nursery / Nanny in Hong Kong

Good evening everyone,


My husband and I maybe (it looks very promising) relocating to Hong Kong this year (my husband is in the final interview stages) from the UK. I am pregnant with our first child


Please can someone advice if Hong Kong have day nurseries? Also does anyone know how I can find a nanny, are there any agencies you would recommend? The cost of full time nursery or a full time nanny would also be very much appreciated please?


Thank you, Sarah x

Hi Sarah,

There are no day care nurseries in HK, most people who really need child care due to work etc employ a foreign domestic helper (FDH).

I have copied and pasted the IMM website which will explain to you the rules, and what you would have to pay for wages, it is worthwhile knowing the rules quite well so that you know what you are taking on and how much it will cost.


http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/faqfdh.htm


Having an FDH, means you have to have this person living in your home, they are an employee, and you have to learn to be a fair but good boss, so they don't abuse your kindness.

You can only employ an FDH when you have a HK address, as this has to be stated on the forms you fill in.

The best recommendation for an FDH is from a friend who may be leaving Hk, who you can talk to face to face before they leave about their 'good' employee. An FDH must fit in with your family requirements, so be prepared to ask them scenario type questions at interview and satisfy yourself they have proven experience with new borns, some have children of their own but they don't bring them up, as they have to send their babies- if they have them in Hk back to their home country to be brought up by relatives. Some of the very young FDH's have never had babies, and wouldn't necessarily have a clue what to do, and I have seen many of them, without common sense, treat babies and young children like dolls.

There are many agencies in Hk, but you still have to do the main choosing yourself, as you will want the best person you can find for your type of family.

There is some part time local HK helpers about, such as Merry maids who advertise in the side column of this forum, these supply legal part time helpers, who have HK residency, so they don't have to live in, some FDH's try to get part time work, but this is not legal and you could end up with big fines for employing them. An FDH must live in the employers home and only work for the person who signs the contract, and not do any work elsewhere.

Would you be intending to have your first baby in HK, or in your home country before coming to Hk?, if it is in hK then I would advise you to book into a local hospital for the delivery as soon as you arrive, as I have heard the hospitals are quite busy with deliveries and may be booked up soon.

CAb Reply. the minimum wage for domesti cwork is HKD 3740, you would be expected to give free accommodation, medical, trip home every 2 years at 2 weeks, all public holidays, $750 per month for food allowance, if you do not provide food. the Labour Dept. www.labour.gov.hk will give yu all info. There are various maid (amah) agencies, to help yu www.amahnet.com and amahnet_hk@yahoo.com.


Nurseries which may help are Lady Maclehose Centre - skhlmcad@skhmaclehose.org.hk, Tel. 2423 5265 - Mrs. M. Choy, and annerley Ltd., info@annerley.com.hk, Tel. 2983 1558 will give you lots of contacts to help yu. HK Mothers and Multiples Organisation - hkmoms@yahoo.com, and HK Babies - info@hongkong babies.com. I hope these contacts will help you.


It is normal to employ a Philippina amah, they are very good with children, having come from large families themselves. They would be expected to cook, clean house, look after children, etc. sundays and all public holiday they would have off.


I wishyou all good luck settling into HK, and I am sure you will enjoy your life here, especially with a servant to help you tke care of baby. Regards Janet Pride, CAB

Actually, the answer to your questions are:

- There are no real day nurseries for babies here..mostly they are cared for at home by parent, grandparent or amah/fdh

- Ditto nannies. There are a few around the place but they are usually here because their employer went to great lengths to recruit them from o/s.

So, unfortunately you will likely not find trained child carers for a baby as you would in the UK. That doesnt mean to say that a good FDH can't look after your child in terms of her basic needs for love, care and affection, but she will not have the training or skills commensurate with standards back home for child development. I personally would not work full time and leave a baby at home with a FDH.

Thank you for your responses. Kind regards, Sarah