How to find childcare in Mexico or Portugal?

[Shelley]

Posted by Shelley on February 03, 2000 at 14:45:36:

We are thinking of a trip to either Mexico or Portugal and wonder how to find a nanny or child care for our baby and pre-schooler while there. We have spent time online but to no avail and are stuck. Any suggestions.

[FTF]

Posted by FTF on February 04, 2000 at 09:34:47:

In Reply to: How to find childcare in Mexico or Portugal? posted by Shelley on February 03, 2000 at 14:45:36:

Shelley - PLEASE don't rely on anything as impersonal as the Internet to find childcare while traveling! It's unwise and unsafe. Instead, when you reach your destination, confer with a knowledgable local. At the better hotels, the concierge or front desk mgr. will be able to recommend either a local agency which has screened, licensed childcare providers and nurses available for an hourly fee, or perhaps can put you in touch with someone on the staff who does this after-hours. You must interview them yourself, decide if their language skills are adequate for your children's comfort, and I recommend you spend at least a few hours the first time you plan to leave the kids with this person, just hanging around and watching their style of play and caring. If you're traveling on a tight budget, you might want to contact the nearest consulate or branch of your country's embassy. They will have a special section devoted to making their expatriate staff and their families feel at home in a new country. This is an excellent source of pediatrician's names, local stores and associations of interest, and often, of local childcare. Again, interview any prospective care giver and spend time with them and your kids before leaving them alone. Another resource would be the local live-abroad language schools. CIEE, the Council on International Educational Exchange at http://www.ciee.org recommends many of these programs. Before your departure, contact the local school via email and ask their administration if any of the students might be interested in afterschool childcare work. Perhaps they can line up some good candidate for you to interview upon arrival. In any case, don't worry. You are interested in two countries where I've traveled with my child very comfortably and where children are adored, so you won't have any trouble finding some help once you're there. But, after all, DO be cautious and as selective as you would be in hiring a caregiver for your most valuable possessions while at home. Let us know how your travels go.