FAQ for clients

COOPERATION WITH THE AGENCY / PROCESS OF CANDIDATES SELECTION AND EMPLOYMENT

1. MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Usually Employer covers expenses of medical examination of childcare specialist if Employer asks a
childcare specialist to come for a trial period.

2. WHAT IS YOUR LESSON CANCELLATION POLICY?

Cancellation of a lesson must be made AT LEAST 48 hours prior to the scheduled lesson time.
No show or failure to notify the school/teacher within 48 hours will result in charge of 50% of the lesson price.

3. PAYMENT

The Employer usually transfers to by bank account of childcare specialist or in cash in the end of each working month or twice a month by agreement with both parties.

As for part-time, usually Employer pays at the end of each lesson or by agreement in cash or by bank transfer.

4. WHAT KIND OF SCHEDULES OF FULL TIME JOB IS THERE FOR CHILDCARE SPECIALIST?

There are several schedules for full-time job: 5 days a week 2 days off or 6 days a week, 1 day off or rota schedule 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off or 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off or 1 month on /1 month off.

5. HOW DO I MAKE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYEE FOLLOWS AGREED TERMS AND DOESN’T VIOLATE THEM?

The agency is preparing an agreement between a family and an employee where all the terms are mentioned to make sure both parties follow the agreed terms.

6. DO YOU ONLY RECRUIT CHILDCARE STAFF?

Apart from qualified childcare / education staff, we also provide services to recruit any domestic staff (housekeeper, chef, personal assistant, driver, house manager, butler, domestic couple, etc.) and are always ready to discuss any special request you might have.

7. CAN YOU PROVIDE TUTORS FOR SPECIFIC SUBJECTS AND CURRICULUM, EG A MATH TUTOR FOR OUR SON IN YEAR 5 FOLLOWING THE BRITISH CURRICULUM?

We have a lot of qualified pgce teachers and tutors in most of the subjects. Moreover they are English, French, German, Russian speakers and we can find the one that fits your requirements the best way possible. They are available in your town or online.

8. ACCOMMODATION

There are different options of accommodation for full-time position. Employer provides separate room at the staff house or separate room at their house or Employer rent separate apartment nearby for childcare specialist. For rota schedule, usually childcare specialist shares room with a child or has separate room next to child’s room during working days, but salary when sharing the room is usually higher.

9. Do you have candidates available in my area?

Our database of candidates is constantly updated. We have candidates living in different parts of the world, who are ready to work in their area or are eager to relocate to another place. At your request, we can research which candidates are available in your area.

10. How much does an english nanny cost?

The cost of an English Nanny is based on her qualifications, experience, quantity of proven references, working schedule, her duties, type of contract (full time, part time, temporary) and benefits like accommodation, and whether a visa is provided or not. The cost can vary from 15 pounds to 70 pounds an hour. Please read detailed information on the price here.

11. What are the terms and conditions of your agency and how can i be sure that you will provide me with the best educator for my family?

Please check our terms here but we are always ready to discuss any questions or requests you may have and consider special terms for you if necessary. You can also check our client references, nanny references, the achievements of our children and what the media has to say about us. All of our candidates undergo a strict screening process.

12. Is it possible to arrange a short term contract, for example, to hire a nanny just for the duration of our summer holiday?

With our agency everything is possible. Summer and winter holiday contracts are very popular. It is a great chance to combine holidays and learning English or other languages through fun activities, such as, swimming in the sea or riding a bicycle.

13. We plan to send our child to university in the UK, do you have professionals who are able to assist in the necessary preparations?

Our London office has a special department that fully devoted to help to prepare children to enter British schools and Universities. We can help to choose the best school, prepare the documents and arrange a successful entering. Most of our teachers have a proven track record of preparing students to enter top schools and universities in UK and all over the world.

14. Who is responsible for providing a visa and accommodation for the nanny?

The employer is responsible for providing a visa and accommodation and can arrange it themselves or pay the agency fee and everything will be arranged on their behalf. We have a great deal of experience getting all kinds of visas, including working ones for our nannies. Our office staff help us and we can submit and collect documents on behalf of our nannies all over the world, making the chance of their applications being refused very low.
Our agency can also book tickets and hotels when the nanny is travelling with your family if you wish.

LEARNING A LANGUAGE

15. WHERE CAN I BUY EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN ENGLISH?

We recommend that you ask the nanny to buy all the necessary learning materials before coming to Russia. You will transfer the money to her account in advance or reimburse the expenses on arrival. There are a lot of useful and educational materials on the Internet. You can view the list of sites here. You can also use our online shop of English children's books.

16. CAN A CHILD STOP SPEAKING RUSSIAN IF HE\SHE IS CONSTANTLY ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH NANNY?

Our clients have never experienced this. The child lives in a Russian-speaking environment and will definitely speak Russian.

17. SHOULD OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS SPEAK ENGLISH IF THEY HAVE AN ENGLISH NANNY?

Whether you should speak English or not is your decision. On the one hand, the child lives in a Russian-speaking environment, and it will be useful for him to understand that the English language can be used with other people on a regular basis. On the other hand, if one of the parents decides to speak a foreign language, he / she shouldn’t confuse native and foreign languages. We should try to use the rule of bilingual education “one language – one person”.

18. WILL THE CHILD HAVE SPEECH PROBLEMS WITH THE FIRST LANGUAGE IF YOU START INTRODUCING A SECOND LANGUAGE BEFORE HE OR SHE SPEAKS RUSSIAN?

No, but it is possible that in the beginning t the child will confuse some words from one language and others from another. But this is temporary and the child quickly realizes what language to use. Especially if you follow the rule “one language – one person”. This is an absolutely normal and you should not worry about it.

19. WHEN SHOULD A CHILD START LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE SO THAT HE/SHE CAN LEARN IT AS THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE?

Specialists say that the sooner a child starts to learn another language the better, and an age from 0 to 3 years is the best age to raise a bilingual, although there are other periods when it’s also possible - from 4 to 7 years old and from 8 to 12 years old. Read here.

20. WILL THE CHILD BE ABLE TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AS A NATIVE LANGUAGE? IS THERE A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TO LEARN LANGUAGES?

There is no genetic predisposition to learn languages. Children speak the languages that are spoken to them.

21. HOW MANY LANGUAGES CAN A CHILD LEARN IF HE HAS ENGLISH AND FRENCH GOVERNESSES FROM EARLY AGE? DOES THIS MEAN THAT HE WILL SPEAK THREE LANGUAGES FLUENTLY?

Speaking 3 languages is absolutely normal in many families. For example, most Swiss people speak 3 languages since birth. In an artificially created language environment, this is also real and we have examples to prove.

22. HOW MUCH TIME DOES A CHILD HAVE TO SPEND WITH AN ENGLISH NANNY TO SPEAK ENGLISH?

To learn a language quickly and effectively, you need to be integrated in the language environment. Regular classes, games and communication with an English nanny, even a few hours a day, is enough for the child to master the language.

23. Can you provide tutors for specific subjects and curriculum, e.g a Maths tutor for our son in year 5 following the British curriculum?

We have a lot of qualified PGCE teachers and tutors for most subjects. Moreover, they are English, French, German, and Russian speakers and we can find the one who fits your requirements exactly. They are available to teach your child at home or online.

24. How much does an English Nanny cost both full time and part time?

Excellent charm combined with the highest professionalism – these words can be described French nanny.Except that, your favorite child will start to speak French literally since two years, and your child will master the French speech by 5 years old not worse that Parisian. Our English governesses are highly educated women usually with a teaching degree or similar. The governess focuses more on the social, intellectual and educational development of your child.

NANNY AND FAMILY

25. WHEN CAN A CHILD BE LEFT ALONE WITH A NANNY OR GOVERNESS?

The more time the nanny and the child spend together, the better the result will be. If a child has the opportunity to communicate in Russian, he\she is not motivated to make efforts to speak a foreign language. From a psychological point of view, the child should be given an adaptation period. The duration of the adaptation period is unique in each family.

26. HOW TO NEGOTIATE PARENTING AND TEACHING METHODS WITH AN ENGLISH NANNY?

Especially in the beginning, the nanny will coordinate teaching methods, games and activities with you. A qualified nanny understands that you have your own way and view on parenting and teaching. However, she can express her own opinion if you ask. You can take it into account and leave it as it is.

27. CAN AN ENGLISH NANNY USE THE METRO?

Yes, she can. The Agency will explain to her how it works and what she should do.

28. WHAT IF THE CHILD DOESN’T WANT TO PLAY WITH AN ENGLISH NANNY?

In the beginning, this is normal, because it’s a new person for him\her. The adaptation period can last for several weeks. At this stage, the help of parents and a Russian-speaking nanny is very important.

29. CAN A NANNY COOK?

Yes, qualified nannies are able to cook and they know everything about healthy food. However, you should take into account that Russian and English cuisine are very different and employer should also need to mention about any food intolerance or food allergies of a child.

30. DO I NEED TO PROVIDE A NANNY WITH NUTRITION AT WORK?

Usually, the nanny eats the same meals the child has. Sometimes the nanny buys and cooks her own food. It is not necessary to provide meals for the time off, if she’s able to buy and cook her own food.

31. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE RUSSIAN NANNIES AS WELL?

A Russian nanny can initially help the child adapt, but it’s recommended to let a child spend a little more and more time with a foreign nanny each day to get the child used to it. Often the arrival of a new foreign staff is painfully perceived by other staff. We recommend to discuss the issues that are bothering you in a respectful manner.

32. WHAT IF THE CHILD IS AFRAID OF A NEW PERSON WHO SPEAKS ANOTHER LANGUAGE?

Each child is different. Qualified nannies know different approaches to children, this is what they are taught for three years in college. There may be an adaptation period in which you or a Russian speaking nanny can help your child to get used to it.

33. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A NANNY TO TEACH ENGLISH NOT ONLY TO THE CHILD, BUT ALSO TO FAMILY MEMBERS?

If you need English classes, this is possible, but it is preferred to be discussed in advance. In addition, parents who do not speak the language, but are constantly around while the child is taught, make great progress in learning. After all, the nanny repeats the same words many times, constantly sings funny songs, plays games in English.

34. HOW DO I COMMUNICATE WITH A NANNY IF NO ONE IN THE FAMILY SPEAKS ENGLISH?

You can always ask our agency and we will discuss all the main points that concern you or your employee. Everyday issues can be discussed with the help of an online translator.

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