Will I be able to find nannypositions in Russia?
It is pretty easy to find a nanny job in Russia, mostly in Moscow. Life in Russia has changed dramatically in the past ten years, with nannies now being more common and not just restricted to the very wealthy. The parents who employ nannies are often very intelligent people. They do tend to be affluent and highly educated, many of them business owners. They like to spend a lot of time with their children and discuss fully their upbringing.
What are agencies looking for in a nanny?
Someone who is well travelled, who is interested in experiencing a different culture and lifestyle, and who has three to five years'
experience. An agency specialising in positions in Russia, Bonne International (www.bonne-int.com), says that it will only accept applicants 'who speak Queen's English - strictly no regional accents', because the clients demand it. It says that nannies need no prior knowledge of the Russian language, nor do they need a driving licence.
You will probably have an interview in the UK first of all. If that goes well, you will be invited to Moscow for another interview. The agency will then organise for you to spend a few days with the family in Russia - a bit of a trial run for both sides. If that works out, it's back to the UK for a bit while the agency arranges a visa and other necessities.
What about pay and conditions?
An experienced, qualified nanny can earn up to 450 to 550 a week. Usually an apartment is provided with electricity bills taken care of, and only food for the evening required. It's a good deal, especially when you take into consideration that the cost of living in Russia is not as high as in the UK, so your salary will go a lot further than at home.
While prices for luxury goods in Moscow are similar to those in London, prices for average goods are much cheaper. Travel expenses especially are cheaper - a travel card to take you anywhere in Moscow costs about 10 pence a day. Clothes cost approximately the same.
For the first year, a nanny can expect to work ten-hour days, with weekends off. This is to help the children with the English language, so that they are brought up bilingual. Once the children are fluent, the hours can be reduced to half a day, with a Russian nanny taking over for the remaining hours. Babysitting duties may be asked of you a couple of times a week.
The Russian idea of discipline is very different from the British. Russians can not stand seeing a child cry and they give in to children a lot quicker than we would, which may take a bit of getting used to.
Are there many British people in Russia?
There are a lot of British people there, and an active social life can be expected, if this is what you are looking for. Many of these people have studied Russian at university and have gone on to teach English in the country. There is plenty to do and nannying should allow for sufficient time to go out and socialise. Some agencies introduce you to other British nannies, and there are British pubs in Moscow. Life there is more westernised than it used to be -just don't expect fish and chips! Indeed, the native cuisine is very different from ours, but they do now have McDonald's!
Is the weather as cold as we imagine?
The climate is very different from the UK. Winters begin in November and are very cold, with temperatures often reaching - 10xC (minus 10 centigrade). Nannies are advised to wait until they arrive before buying winter clothes, as those bought in the UK will simply not be warm enough.
Parents still expect their children to be taken out for walks in this cold weather, however, so you will have to get used to it.
On the other hand, summers are usually quite warm, with temperatures of 25xC to 30xC.
Will families expect you to have a good knowledge of Russia before you arrive?
They do prefer for you to have a little bit of the language, but language classes are available in Moscow. The interview with the agency is the ideal time to ask questions about the culture and lifestyle, and familiarise yourself with Russia. Visiting the country even for a weekend before you start will give you a chance to get an idea of whether it is for you or not. Moscow is a huge city and can give foreigners quite a culture shock.
What is there to beware of?
Russian grandmothers - so much so that agencies often ask parents to keep them away from the British nannies. They tend to be very interfering and spoil the children, treating them as if they are their own children.
Russian grandmothers like fat children and seem to believe in force-feeding a child even when they are obviously full. They are also overprotective.
When going for a walk outdoors, a Russian grandmother will overdress the child to the extreme, with several jumpers and jackets, even in warm weather.
Don't go if:
* you can't stand the cold
* you miss British food even on a two-week holiday
* you are not good at adapting to a foreign culture.
CASE STUDY
Teresa Brunsdon from Crowborough in East Sussex went to work as a nanny in Russia when her boyfriend was working there.
Teresa had worked as a nanny for more than ten years and was excited about this new prospect. Based in Moscow, she was in charge of twin baby girls and three older children aged eight, ten and 11.
Teresa recalls, 'I worked from 9am until 7pm. It was like a nanny job anywhere else in the world. Children had to be fed, entertained and taken out, and all nursery duties had to be done.'
Her accommodation was a two-bedroom flat in the middle of the city, which she describes as very nice and very Russian, but not entirely up to British standards.
Settling in did not take long, and with a large circle of both Russian and British friends, she enjoyed a busy social life, visiting the gym, going to the cinema, pubs and clubs, and ice-skating in the Gorky Park at weekends.
Although she could not speak any Russian when she arrived, a prior job in the British embassy taught her some and she took some lessons. Most Russians speak good English, but it is still advisable to learn the basics of Russian for getting around and for shopping.
'As a British nanny you can register with the British embassy doctor, though the fees are pretty steep,' Teresa adds. 'I was also registered with the Euro Clinic for expatriates, and had private health insurance.'
She didn't find the weather as bad as she'd been led to expect, and she felt safe walking the streets and found the Russian people to be very friendly.
Of course, the picture is not always as rosy for the natives. Teresa says, 'I did find the poverty hard to deal with, especially little old ladies and tiny kids begging in the street, and people with war injuries. It all seems a lot worse in the winter too - the fact that you are going back to a nice cosy apartment and they are going to be out begging for hours in freezing conditions. It's very sad. But you take the whole and withdraw the best bits and keep the happy memories!'
So would she recommend working as a nanny there? 'Yes, definitely. I think it is best suited to somebody who is able to travel on their own, and who is not frightened of being alone and exploring - somebody who is keen to learn new things.'
Looking back, Teresa says, 'Some of my happiest times were in Russia and I wouldn't hesitate to move back there should a chance arise for my fiance and myself. I love the Russian people. I made great friends and return to visit Moscow a lot. One of my bridesmaids at my wedding is going to be my old Russian boss!'