While it’s true some nursery schools offer afternoon care as late as 5pm, it’s not always easy for working mothers in Abu Dhabi to find ways to keep their children looked after. Here are a few childcare options we’ve uncovered for working mums (and dads!).
Choose your job wisely
There are lots of opportunities for mums to work with one of the many schools in town, as Cindy Padgett, freelance saleslady and school registrar explains, “By working at the school, I was able to get the same holidays and daily timetable as Tyler, even though I’m a fraud investigator by trade.”
Flexi time
If you have a skill your employer values, they might be willing to let you work from home, at least part of the time. “I have three children and a 40-hour a week job, but I’m able to work flexi time,” says Rebecca Fahmy. “I’m in the office from 8am to 3pm and then I work from home every night.”
Extra hands and wheels
Perhaps the easiest option is to employ a full-time nanny you can rely on to be there regardless of school holidays, sickness and random teacher in-service days. You’ll have to arrange transportation, but if your nanny can’t fetch your children by taxi, most schools provide a bus service or you may be able to arrange for a friend to bring your children home.
Part-time help
If you don’t need a full-time nanny,
you might be able to hire someone on a part-time basis for the afternoons or during school holidays. Teaching assistants also sometimes pick up extra work during holidays.
Swap with a friend
“On the afternoons when I have to
work late, I trade babysitting with my friend,” says teacher Jake Hamood. “I wouldn’t do it if I couldn’t reciprocate, but she works in the evenings, so some days I’ll pick up both her son and mine, and other days she picks up both of the boys – that way, childcare is covered and the children get to play together.”
Abu Dhabi Film Festival Family Day
Get your kids involved with the Abu Dhabi Film Festival on Saturday, 23rd October. Come out to the gorgeous historical Abu Dhabi Theater to watch two family-friendly screenings – the first is a programme of animated shorts from all over the world, and second is The Circus, one of the funniest films directed by and starring silent film legend Charlie Chaplin. Before and between screenings, children will be treated to a variety of free activities, entertainment and refreshments. For more information, visit www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae.
How do you handle childcare?
Working mums about town say ...
Samantha McBride,
mother of Paige age eight ½ months
“As a first-time mum, I thought I could take care of Paige and work full-time from home. Until she was eight months old, I managed to get my work done while she napped and in the evenings. Now that she’s awake more, I need help, so Roselle comes every day. It’s the best of both worlds: I get to stay at home with Paige, but still keep my career alive.”
Rebecca Fahmy,
mother of Makyla age 11, Amir age nine and Evangeline age three
“During the school holidays, I have to ask family to come from the UK to look after the children. This summer it wasn’t too bad since Teddy Bear Nursery ran a summer camp and the older children attended the Haddins Summer Camp at Zayed Sports City where I work.”
Salwa Salman,
mother of Noor age three
“My working hours are from 8am to 5pm, but sometimes I have to stay as late as 8pm or work from home. I always take Noor to the nursery before I go to my office, but her pick up time is at 12pm. I can’t leave office at that time, but thankfully my mum and dad live here in Abu Dhabi, so they pick her up and she stays at their house with her Nanny until I pick her up.”
Laura Fulton
