micollh, thanks for sharing.


I did not think of it when maid arrives. Do you check your maid’s belongings from time to time ? So far, i only checked her belongings once when she first arrived.

Btw, do you buy toiletries for her or deduct from her later or you would have to accompany her for all her purchases ? Your maid don’t have any off days too ?

Did you keep a joint saving account with her ?

Read many postings that helpers steal from employers…


Just wonder how did most of you safeguard against maid theft?

currently we left our bags/wallets/ keys in the study room (some spare cash locked in study room cabinets) but our helper usually wakes up before we do. So far nothing is missing but i guess we probably shouldn’t leave it to chance and we don’t have any cameras installed.

If i remember, i would bring my cabinet keys into the master bedroom before i sleep but occasionally i forget too.

Sharing my experiences in renewal of Indo maid passport here…


1) Go embassy to submit application with
IPA or temporary work permit and
2 Maid passport photos
Employer’s NRIC photocopies
Renewal charge $35

Bring maid/ original IC there for application. A collection slip will be issued informing collection time/ date.

2) Prior to collection, employer need to go in person with maid for a short interview. Only upon interview and signing of agreement by both maid and employer then they would release the passport. Interview can be anymore in the day except lunch hour (1-2.30pm).

I made the mistake as I was not clear that we have to go through the interview prior to collection. Cost me a fruitless trip there for nothing.

3) Passport collection is only available from 3-5pm. Interview can be quite short like 5-10minutes. Better go earlier like 2.30pm than taking chances to go closer to the closing time as I did before.

However, I was trying to kill 2 birds with one stone by going there around 4pm thinking i could also collect the passport. Its a mistake. Happened that only one officer was on duty that day and the case before us was a ‘problem’ case where the maid run away after 3 days after being reprimanded by the employee. She refused a transfer and insisted to be sent back Indo but the employer and agency refused to fund her airticket. So we waited in vain for over 1hr there as the passport collection counter closed at 5pm.

Looks like there is a high incidence of maids running away. Both my 2nd/3rd trips there, i witness maids running away from employers.

Hi Peapot, its a good suggestion to let her know so its not like spying on her secretly but would her feel ‘pressurized’ that her boss could be watching her any time of the day ?


My new maid is from Indo and i’m paying her the new market rate $450 and i told her not to discuss salary with my friends’ maid in case she upsets them. So far i think hers is the highest amongst my friends whom think we overpaid but to us we don’t mind paying more for a good helper. So time will tell if she could really keep up the good work and of course, i pray for the best but also remind myself not to hope for too much.

AgnesMM and Desertwind, thanks for sharing that there are still some good helpers around!

Catang - your maid does seem bold and ‘rebellious’.

Elena - perhaps you can consider Babies Resort - that’s the only childcare I know in AMK that does not have air-conditioning. My boy is schooling there and so far so good but new management is taking over in May.

Leoleo 18


Did you install the wireless type of hidden camera ? my new maid just came and i already left her at home alone whole morning. She is EX-Singapore and seems very savvy. I find her a bit too good to be true honestly that she kept saying that she is ok with my requirements for her not to hold handphone and no off-days. In her previous assignment, she has off-days and she gets to keep her handphone but still did not finish the 2 yr contract obviously citing low pay and tiring work (taking care of an elderly) in a household of total 4 adults, including herself.

My hb thinks it is a white elephant investment to have spy cameras installed given the hefty setup costs (around $1k?)…

any advise here?

bubblebee_mum, I think if you don’t feel good about her initially, just send her back then to put up with it. Go with your gut. I put up my first maid for 8mths thinking she could improve while we could adjust to having her around but no matter how good we treat her (buy her clothes, watch, off-days etc) it is still not use if helper is giving you more problems than help.

Thanks DesertWind & twinkle 14 for sharing! DesertWind, your dd also 07 batch ya?

Hi DesertWind


Thanks for your sharing. We checked out carpediem and although we like the place but the fees are on the high side. The centre is probably positioned to be more high end as it is at the landed estates.

Sigh…why it is so difficult to find a good childcare? Hope you have more luck in your search process.

Hi Mummies


I am also looking for recommendations to preschool with full day CC facilities for my boy around AMK/BIshan/Upper Thomson (near the AMK Ave 2) area.

His school recently has teacher movements and class reshuffling and i wonder why nearly half his classmates switch to new schools. I think the quality has suffered and it shows on my boy’s progress, hence we think it is not worth paying a premium for it.

Here’s my research results:
YMCA Metro Bishan - full
Learning Vision at grassroots - personal view is that the open concept makes the place very noisy and distracting for kids to learn properly
Bethesda at AMK - like the school but they don’t offer full day childcare
Sparkletot - a new branch opening at AMK blk 181, unsure about the mgt and staff quality

anyone has reviews on Carpe Diem @ Hilltop (Yio Chu Kang branch)?

Thanks

Hi


I am paiseh to hijack this thread but I have to try ....

Any parents here who are existing members of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan do not mind recommending another person to join ? Asking this as any new member application has to be supported by 2 existing members of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (SHHK).

I have tried checking all my other venues (relatives, friends, colleagues..) but without much progress. Am hoping some of you who have walked this path before me (getting child on Phase 2B for P1 enrollment) don't mind helping out here :?: