littledd, re. your question about maids: waiting time depends on whether it's a transfer maid who is with agent to one who is still back in her home country so need to clear paperwork and tests. So it can range from a few days to a few weeks. Best to give yourself a lead time of 2 months. She joins your family earlier better than later e.g. after you deliver.
I've found that sometimes it's not really any one particular agent who can provide good maids. At most, if you get friend's recommendation for agent, it's because they provide gd service. My current one is my 4th one liao and it's really the luck of the draw. You can browse biodatas online first to see what I mean:
www.bestmaid.com.sg
www.netmaid.com.sg
My mum prefers maids who have had no experience but I find that by the time they get used to our hygiene standards and pace of work, it's 6 months to a year.
The best helper I've had so far is a transfer maid who has worked here for 6 yrs and had 4 ex-employers. On paper, that didn't look so good but after interview and knowing she had experience working in Chinese families with young kids and 3 generations, she proved to be really good.
Anyway, good luck. If you have a religion, pray hard for a good helper
I've found that sometimes it's not really any one particular agent who can provide good maids. At most, if you get friend's recommendation for agent, it's because they provide gd service. My current one is my 4th one liao and it's really the luck of the draw. You can browse biodatas online first to see what I mean:
www.bestmaid.com.sg
www.netmaid.com.sg
My mum prefers maids who have had no experience but I find that by the time they get used to our hygiene standards and pace of work, it's 6 months to a year.
The best helper I've had so far is a transfer maid who has worked here for 6 yrs and had 4 ex-employers. On paper, that didn't look so good but after interview and knowing she had experience working in Chinese families with young kids and 3 generations, she proved to be really good.
Anyway, good luck. If you have a religion, pray hard for a good helper