Daycare
Price vary depending on the type of education (international, bilingual or Chinese) and the hours, but the price range is from 3.000 to 7.500 RMB per month for 5 days per week.
Bridges Daycare
Unit 104, Bldg 6, Summit Residences, 108 Shangcheng Lu, Lujiazui, near Puming Lu
159-2175-6589, 5882-8911
Daycare for toddlers offering half day and full day programs. After-school and weekend programs are open to children of all ages.
Angels Kindergarten
281 Panlong Village, Xujing Village, Qingpu District
59883458
http://www.angels.org.cn
Kindergarten for children 0-6 with education in French, English and Chinese. Montessori approach.
Aolin Kindergarden
35 Lane 1072, Quxi Lu
63039002
Other Activities
- Baby Home Care Center
1793 Yunshan Lu, Jinqiao, near Biyun Lu
6105-9360
http://www.babyhome.sh.cn
This baby homecare center has a large play room and a baby “creativity” room where children from 0 to 3 years old can draw on the white walls using various utensils.
Mother and Toddler Groups
- Bumps and Babes
150 Fenyang Lu, near Fuxing Lu
Tel: 13564335442
bumps.babes@gmail.com
http://www.bumpsbabes.com
New and expectant mothers are welcome to this bi-monthly support group to meet other women in your situation. Meeting feature guest speakers covering a wide range of pertinent topics. Meeting dates vary from weekend to weekend. - FunTime Music
Green Apple Cafe, Hongmei Lu, Lane 3215, No.201, near HongSong Lu.
Tel: 137-0161-9422.
Open Mon, Tues, Wed, 9am-12pm.
FunTime Music offers Baby & Toddler Music Classes for children under 3 years. High quality, reasonably priced & led by a qualified, experienced music teacher. Enjoy an extra special hour with your child – singing, moving to music, playing musical instruments & other sensory activities such as parachute, scarves, bubbles, balls, hoops. - IMSG (International Mothers Support Group)
Mother & Baby Group
The Pinnacle Century Park Residents Lounge
imsgpudongmeetings@hotmail.com
(Meet at 9.30-11.30am, 1st Friday of each month) - IMSG (International Mothers Support Group)
Mother & Baby Group
Green Valley Villas Clubhouse, 999 Jian He Lu,
Tel: 021-6268-9988
imsgshanghai@hotmail.com
(Meet at 10.00-midday, 3rd Friday of each month) - IMSG (International Mothers Support Group)
Mother & Baby Group
The Pinnacle Huashan, Tower 1 & 2, 211 Xingfu Lu near Fahuazhen Lu, Apartment 1701
Tel: 021-2211-9288
imsgshanghai@hotmail.com
(Meet at 10.00-midday, 2nd Tuesday of each month) - IMSG (International Mothers Support Group)
Toddler Group
Green Valley Villas Clubhouse, 999 Jian He Lu
Tel: 021-2211-9288
imsgshanghai@hotmail.com
(Meet at 09.30 – 11.30, 2nd and 4th Friday of each month)
Each of the IMSG groups charges a 100 RMB annual subscription and an addition 30 RMB or 40 RMB fee (depending on the venue) to cover the cost of renting the room and provision of refreshments. - Toddlers’ Club
Contact: Dora Wong
Hongqiao 6446-6766 / Pudong 5033-3053
http://www.ctworkshop.com.cn
The All-Important Ayi, or the Chinese Baby-Sitter
Whether mothers are in Shanghai to work, study, or play, child care and home management are of utmost importance when mommy is away from the home. This is where the Ayi comes in.
As in any country, references are important, as are careful considerations of disciplinary and other standards. Some Western expats find cultural differences with Chinese Ayi’s difficult to overcome. Although Chinese tend to discipline their own kids fairly strictly, Ayi’s in foreign households may let children reign supreme, and spoil them. Some families opt either to hire non-Chinese nannies residing in Shanghai (such as Filipinos, who may be culturally closer to Westerners), or to “co-op baby-sit” with other Western parents.
Most expat families do hire Chinese nannies, overwhelmingly by word-of-mouth. Few employment agencies offer domestic helpers, and contracts are nonexistent. Some families hire several Ayi’s with specific duties like child care, cleaning, shopping, etc. Others manage with just one, depending on how many kids are at home, how much the spouse works, and personal preference. Some expats hate to turn “their jobs” over to a Chinese helper, while others are all too ready! Either way, the family must feel comfortable having the new hire in their home.
Many expats who hire Chinese as nannies, particularly for young children, pay for the Ayi to have a physical exam — at a local hospital or private western clinic — before they begin employment. Also, World Link Medical and Dental Centers offers a first-aid course in Chinese for domestic helpers – this is highly recommended. Many expat families quickly get used to having a live-in Ayi, which lets working mothers know their child is being cared for, while routine evening baby-sitting gives married couples more “date time” than they may have had in years!
It is particularly important to set clear guidelines on duties and expectations for domestic helpers. Rarely will they do anything before being asked — this is frustrating to many foreigners. Also, many Chinese still lack modern household appliances in their homes. Clear demonstrations of how to use the washer/dryer — including lessons on separating darks from lights and what can and cannot go in the dryer — dishwasher, vacuum, iron, blenders and mixers, are a must for harmonious relationships.
Also, give your Ayi clear guidelines (with translation, if needed) on what children may and may not do, what they may and may not eat, and where they may and may not go. Most Ayi’s want their charges to be happy and would do anything to avoid tears. The American adage “let them cry it out” at bedtime is unheard of; Chinese Ayi’s have been known to rock six-year-olds to sleep on a regular basis. Likewise, they may bring chocolates and candies for even the youngest children.
Many expat children learn their Chinese from their Ayi, who typically does not speak English. If having your child learn Mandarin is important, make sure your Ayi knows not to use slang or dialects when speaking or reading to the children. Many local bookstores carry Chinese translations of Western nursery rhymes and Disney tales, as well as Chinese children’s books about colors, body parts, etc.
With hourly wages around 12-15 RMB per hour, it is easy to see why most expat families have domestic help in Shanghai. Chinese helpers can simplify life in Shanghai, negotiating at the shops, running errands, taking care of household chores, and caring for children. Many Ayi’s become part of the family, even traveling on vacation — a nice fringe benefit for them AND you!
How to Find a Nanny (Ayi) for your Children: There are adverts placed by Ayi’s/Nannies at the City supermarkets at the Portman Shanghai Centre and the one in Hongmei Road. Also, if you are attached to a women’s group or expat group, speak to the members or committee.
- Community Center: http://www.communitycenter.cn
