Job Discussion Forums

[smooches]

I'm planning to teach abroad for two years or so and I am meeting with recruiters now. I'm considering Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain but I could use a realistic perspective about my options.

I'm a US Citizen, Fluent in English, MEd in Education, Certified K-8 teacher, 8 years of experience teaching Kindergarten, 2 years as an Instructional Coach.

I also have a 1 year-old son so I need to know about childcare options. ANY advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

[helenl]

Advice about what? About the only thing I can comment on from your post is if you are meeting with recruiters is that the better employers don't use them

[smooches]

[mimi_intheworld]

If you'd like to work in primary school (which seems likely, given your quals), I am interviewing with ADEC, going through a recruiter. UAE, from everything I've heard, is quite safe for you and your child, and has plenty of English speaking schools if you choose to enrol him. [helenl, ADEC uses recruiters to screen teachers before in-person interviews.]

[smooches]

Thanks mimi, saw your post in another thread.
How was your interview? Do you mind sharing the details of your experience?

[helenl]

ADEC is probably the only decent employer in UAE that uses recruiters. They don't provide any education allowance which would be of importance to the OP. There are nurseries but hours of operation and quality of care can vary - careful research is needed.

Suggest OP researches the k-12 private schools as well as looking at ADEC.

Also, it would be very important that she have documentation concerning the custody status of her son - UAE is very careful to ensure that single women have full custody and the documentation hoops that must be jumped can be tedious.

[uaeobserver]

The UAE is an exceptionally child-friendly place (in my opinion).

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (in particular) - are both wall-to-wall parks.

Just make sure you have a good employer - and might find yourself a delightful nanny/maid from Sri Lanka who will spoil your kid, big time.

[veiledsentiments]

Few places in the world are more child friendly than the Middle East. But, I just want to emphasize that you will be required to provide written permission from the father... whether you are or ever were married to him.

VS

[smooches]

Thanks everyone for sharing your responses! Sounds like the UAE is more child-friendly than my current city so this is great for my kid. I was choosing between 3 locations and Abu Dhabi is definitely my first choice at the moment.

Dad and I are married and we're all going together but he travels a lot so I need to get a handle on childcare now. I set up an interview and I'm waiting to hear back now. Wish us well!

[veiledsentiments]

That is great. So you have back-up if you can't arrange childcare immediately. This can be a difficult process for single mothers.

Good Luck in the interview!

VS

[Tiger Beer]

[veiledsentiments]

This is not a cheap option and the only couples that I knew that had live-in nannies were teaching couples. (or those that husbands in high pay non-education jobs) It also requires a large enough flat to house her.

VS

[hamergirl]

It costs approximately 400 - 500 dollars a month to employ a full time live in nanny. That's pretty reasonable and yes, it is extremely common.

[Gulezar]

You can be selective when choosing a nanny. Americans have a good reputation for treating their help with dignity. In fact, some folks find Americans to be too generous and that they allow "the help" too much latitude. Most nannies would jump at the opportunity to work with an understanding, American teacher who expects the child to have some limits and the husband doesn't jump on anything with a skirt. I bet you would not mind exploring Sri Lankan vegetarian dishes either, as long as the spices are introduced with some restraint. It does take some time to sponsor a nanny as there is a visa process, but you may be able to find a temporary nanny for a short time in the afternoons, but the maid's official sponsor can always demand her services, so it is a bit of a risk. It won't take long before you'll have "I have a cousin in the old country" inquiries knocking on your door asking if you are in need of a cleaning person or child care.

[Tiger Beer]