Hello there,
My husband and I will be relocating to Shanghai in the spring from the San Francisco Bay area. At that time, our son will be 12 months old. If I undestand correctly from reading some of the discussions, a helper is called an "ayi". Can someone tell me more about what they do? Do they usually live with you or they come during the day? What are the chances of finding someone who can speak either English, French or Hebrew (I'm French, my husband is Isreali) to watch our child for 6-8 hours every day?
Also, what would be the monthly cost for childcare? Are there any day cares in the Pudong area? Appart from lodging, food & clothes, transportation, child care and medical expenses, what other expenses should we be looking at?
Can we get a "clean" 3br/2bath for USD 1,500 in the Pudong area or should we count on more?
I'm looking forward to hearing from those of you with some experience in relocating with a young child in Shanghai.
Thanks!

Celine

Celine:

Welcome to Shanghai!

You are correct, domestic helpers in Shanghai are generally referred to as "Ayis" (a Chinese word meaning Aunt). The hours, pay and typical duties of an Ayi varies. I have heard anything from RMB 700/month for a live in Ayi to RMB 5000 a month for a 9-5 M-F Ayi. My guess is that the typical Ayi earns RMB 1000 to RMB 1800 a month for a 5-6 day work week, working about 9-10 hours a day. Usually a live-in Ayi will be paid less than this.

Typical Ayi duties are cleaning, cooking, childcare, pet care, grocery shopping and bill paying. Some Ayis can do more than others and most need detailed training to unlearn their last employer's preferences and learn how to do things your way.

The problem you will find is that it is very difficult to find and keep a good Ayi. We are unfortunately on our 5th full-time Ayi in 12 months! If you want and English speaking Ayi, it will cost you more and be more difficult to find. I think the chances of finding a French or Hebrew speaking Ayi are next to nil.

If you are a working Mom - you may consider putting your son into a full-time daycare. My understanding from a colleague is tha the Montessori Children's Center in the Greenhills compound in Pudong is a good English speaking preschool that has a full-day program (and a waiting list). My colleague's 3 year old has been there full-time since she was 1 year old and is happy. I do not know the cost. Chinese daycares can be quite inexpensive, but I would question their safety and sanitation standards and steer you towards an international-type center. The various international schools also offer daycare type services, disguised as nursery schools. The websites of these schools are all listed elsewhere on this site.

As far as leaving your son with the Ayi -- a lot has been written on this if you search this site. You will want to spend a few weeks with your Ayi and son to get comfortable with her and train her before doing this. Ideally you will want to have talked to a past reference of your Ayi (do not rely on just a reference letter -- as they are often fake), confirmed her identity and have had her do a health check.

If you are willing to live in an apartment, finding a 3BR in Pudong for US$1500 a month should be easy. I live in a 200 sq. m. 4 bedroom for less than that.

The other big expense in Shanghai can be electricity. Many apartments are heated by electricity and the apartments are no insulated whatsoever. We spent RMB 2000 a month last winter on electricity (and only heated my daughter's tiny room to 20 degrees at all times, plus turned on our own bedroom heater at night, leaving the rest of our apartment cold). Air conditioning in the summer can also run to a few hundred RMB a month.

(I am a full-time working Mom living in Pudong. My daughter (15 months, born in Shanghai) is alone with her Ayi at least a few hours a day, but lucky for me, my husband spends at least 1/2 of every day with my daughter. If my husband were not there -- I would probably seriously consider the daycare option.)

Good luck!

Sara

Hi,

We have a 24 months old boy and I can confirm you that Ayis are generally nice and kind with children but it is extremely difficult to make them understand what we really need. Their values, the way they teach their own kids, the behavior of Chinese kids, the safety and hygenic considerations are very different. Just as an example, our 2 years old child was walking near by a river with her, at a moment he told her that he wanted to walk alone. She let him go and explained us later that it is what "he said he wanted" !

We even took our "French Ayi" with us for 2 months here to teach our Chinese ayi and still, we finally decided to send our son to kindergarten !

I do not thing Hebrew or even to some extends French are much taught in China, chance to find a GRADUATE STUDENT able to speak Hebrew is extremely low, even French would not be easy but Ayis are not graduate students and if she is fluent in French she would not be an ayi. Consider yourself extremely fortunate if you can find an ayi who would know some basic English and can take care of your child the way you want. I believe Preschool is definetely a safer choice .

Bonne chance
Fox

Celine,
I have sent you a private message regarding your search for an Ayi. I am wondering if you might be open to hiring an American or english speaker to look after your child, clean your home, etc.

Thanks!
Ali

Hi Celine,

There is an interesting article in Shanghai Daily today's edition with a new exam for professionnal ayis ! Maybe that could be a good option for you ?!

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2005/1 ... famili.htm

I have a question for Sara : Are you sure about the fact that "Live-in ayi" are paid less than live out ayis, if so do you know why and what could be a normal salary for a live-in ayi nowadays ?
Bye

My comments on Ayi salaries are based on anecdotal evidence from frineds and neighbors and speaking with agencies. My understanding is that live in Ayis typically go for RMB 700-1000 a month because

- they are not from Shanghai (Shanghai Ayis typically cost more and have a home they want to return to at night); and
- do not have to pay for own food, housing and transport to and from work (as they live at work).

Therefore their pay is basically all pocketed.

The people I know with live-in Ayis are all either local Chinese or returned overseas Chinese who are less likely to get charged the "expat" Ayi rates.

Thanks, I just wondered since we have also a live-in ayi .
It is true that many expat families arriving in Shanghai and unfamiliar with local habits give too high wages (expat ayi rates) and too much privileges to ayis compared to local Chinese families unfortunately in most cases that will not bring them a better work, more faith or or more consideration.

Hello every one who participated in this forum,
Thank you very much for all the good comments Sara and Fox. I will look for further info in existing forums on this site as well as the article.
I hope I'll get to meet with some of you when (and if) we get there.

THanks!
Celine

I can help you wit a babysitter. I'm a romanian women living in Shangai - China. I have a teenage babysitter that I pay with 40 yuan (5 $)per hour. She takes care of two children of my, 3 and 5 years , and she’s satisfied and do the job very well. We have to move out soon, so if you are interested, contact me. Good luck!