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Hi sir yes usually i guess a stayout helper is better...for the commute i think should enrolled them school service van or hire a driver sir....much safer for the kids....I'm also looking for a fulltime job as a nanny and I'm also good as housekeeping and cooking...you can reach me thru whats app or viber sir thank you...

@almacruzdiaz1975

Hello and welcome !

Feel free to create your CV in the Job offers in Manila section of the website. You might receive some offers.

All the best

Bhavna

The commute is doable with a service etc, but for me I would choose to place my children in a school close by to where we lived or relocate closer to the school they will attend.

Its much better for everyone, closer to classmates and school functions etc.

I would worry every day until they got home. Anything could happen on that commute, from traffic and breakdowns to accidents, funerals/parades etc.

And since it appears that you both will still be at work trusting someone else to ensure they got home safely, that would be tough for me unless it was a family member, But thats just me and my 2cents

Hi, fantagrape.  I lived in  makati for a year (2014/2015). I still live in the philippines.

If you want to travel from makati to paranaque, the major route is the EDSA. This route is one of the worst traffic nightmares in the country.  Alternatively, if you go from makati,  you can take the skyway.  It’s a tollway, light traffic, no stoplights,  and there is an entrance/exit in makati and paranaque,  so it’s about 12 minutes on the skyway itself, plus your time on the surface streets. BGC is farther away,  with no skyway access. Since you list your choices in two of the most upscale areas of metro manila.  I’m assuming you’re looking for safety and comfort.  I would suggest Pasay, near the mall of Asia.  It’s much closer to paranaque for the kids schooling.

You can hire a yaya, (maid), who can be home for the kids while you are still at work.

You can check with the school to see if they have transportation services, or,  if you have your own car,  you can also hire a driver. BGC,  while nice,  is the farthest from the school.

Hope this is helpful

Dear vehicross, blacksheepjuno,

Thank you so much for your responses!  This is so very helpful. 

So... Traffic is the problem isn't it.  I visited the city earlier this year and understood that traffic is the bottleneck to life in just the few days I was there, but  alas, your responses have told me that it's worse than I'd thought. 

Given that the workplace will be Makati, I think the options for me boil down to these:

1) Live in Makati and choose a school in Makati, like the British School

2) Live in Pasay, kids go to German European school, and the parents commute to Makati

I will do my research on Pasay but probably 1) is the more reasonable.  Which is a bit of a bummer because BGC is my choice for living.  It seemed so stress-free and green.  It's also a bummer because British English is a bit unique and also there was an allure to the German European school for me, for whatever reason. 

I've also gauged from this that I should resign myself to hiring a nanny instead of relying on public or private after- school programs.  vehicross - I agree with you, I would much rather be home myself or have a family member be home to welcome the kids home from school but given our work situation I don't think I have a choice. 

Not all is ideal but I have to be realistic and this has all been very helpful.

Thank you so much!!!

Just a though but have you checked to see if these schools offer transport and if they have after school clubs where the kids can stay after normal school hours and be in a safe and friendly environment.

Maybe if they were able to stay in school for an extra couple of hours, you could pick them up and take them home after you finish work or your other half could. Maybe worth enquiring and see if there are any activities for the kids after lessons finish for the day. Many schools in England offer this service and a meal is normally provided.

Just a quick add,  you can take the skyway from Pasay to makati as well. it  doesn’t extend to BGC/Taguig.  From Makati to BGC there are only two routes,  because the edsa is between them.  The shortest way is sometimes heavy traffic during rush hour,  the longer way usually ends up taking less time.

@blacksheepjuno

My apologies for the late response but thank you so much for all your advice.

We visited the area again and the reality of Manila is sinking in (I guess I'd been in denial). 

We're now widening the list of schools and we'll try to find a house closeby because now I know that even "closeby" is so far with Manila traffic!!

Thank you!!!!!

@Cherryann01

Hi - thank you.

I don't think they can stick around in school once it's done but we are making sure that the schools we are looking at offer transport service. 

We're also asking to see where the families usually live. 

Thank you!!!