Job Discussion Forums

[Kiwicouple]

Hi, we are a teaching couple looking at going to teach in Brunei (we are both Primary trained). We would be taking our two daughters (aged 5 & 7).

Our questions are...

1. Is it easy to get a good maid and how long does it take to get one?

2. As my wife and I would both be working at local school and our children would be attending an international school, how does it work out with the school hours and weekends not aligned (in regards to childcare)?

3. How much would it cost to set up the basics for a house?

[celtica]

1. It really depends on luck with the amah issue. Some people have wonderful amahs who become part of the family and stay with them for years...other change amahs almost as often as clothes! - problems with honesty, reliability, doing as asked in child care/duties etc etc There are many variables with this.... what you expect of them, how much you are willing to pay, live in or out, full time or part time.

On arrival you will be in orientation for a week or two which means you would need immediate childcare. This is something you need to make sure Cfbt will provide for you on arrival. Along with the DEADLY chore of finding a car within two weeks you will need to find a good amah. The best way to do this is to look online at www.bobwhatson.com. My advice is to NOT employ any of the 'freelance' advertising themselves without a recommendation posted by their employer. There are some really dodgy ones out there.
When are you arriving? Around early July all the International school teachers who are finishing their contracts will be looking to transfer their amahs to someone. (They may begin advertising around May or June) This is a good time to find a reliable one. (Though it often happens that what suits one person does not always suit another!) You may find that if you are transferring the previous employers will allow you to have the amah immediately for a couple of days per week to try ....see if you suit eachother. If the employer is willing to do this, then the amah willl be probably a good one! If they are not ...hmmmm. Also a very good thing to ask the reason for transfer....leaving the country, children older, no longer need full-time etc.

It takes a lot of paperwork to get an amah on your quota (Licence) and it can be a daunting prospect to spend days in and out of immigration and labour dept to finish this. (Allow at least six weeks to finalise). There are agents who will do this for you though. PM me if you get here and need a contact - I know a very good one.

2. The timing generally works out OK. You can generally finish at school at 12.30pm and race off to collect your children by one. I think your 5yr old will finish earlier than 12.30 so he/she may have a bit of a wait. It is not unusual to see kids waiting for parents as everyone is in the same boat.
If you need to work after 12.30 you can usually go back at 2pm and carry on. Some people stay after 12.30 and finish at 2.30pm...so you could alternate this with your wife.
Many couples enjoy the chance to have breakfast out together on a Friday without the need for childcare. But then on Saturday you will need someone for the half day.

In the beginning it is not a nice feeling to know that you are away while your children are at home without you, but if you have a good amah, the kids end up enjoying being with her and they are fine ...its usually the parents who harbour the concern/guilt for a while.

The hardest part is the holidays that don't match. BUT the positive about that is taking the kids out of school when you are on holiday - the kids LOVE that!

3. As for cost - whatever items cost in NZ, they cost around the same in Brunei.

If you do come...bring your kitchen stuff. You have so little space for things (under the allowance) most people bring toys and books for the kids, then choose what other items they consider best for them. Everyone is different, but I was told to bring my kitchen stuff and never regretted it. The kitchen gear makes it so much easier to start the house feeling like a home - along with a few photos and knick-knacks to make it home for the kids. If you have any large wall hangings, light and easy to roll up or kids art, ...bring them. There are acres of white wall to cover in most houses
and framing is very cheap in Sabah and Sarawak, reasonable here in Brunei.

Happy to answer any and all Q's.