Overseas We received 97 responses from families accessing childcare overseas and particularly from Cyprus. Families in USA serving at USAF bases experienced difficulty in obtaining places because, not surprisingly, children of US personnel took priority. Issues were reported at Ramstein too – a 2 year waiting list for access to a German kindergarten just one example. However, the bulk of responses came from Cyprus, where great reliance seems to be placed on employing ‘at risk’, Filipino Domestic Assistants to solve the problem of limited availability and hours. Concern was expressed that these issues are not well known to SP considering an overseas assignment, and that families sometimes have no choice once in theatre other than to accept the risk of unqualified or poor quality childcare. Linked with the operational tempo in Cyprus and changes to working hours, this an issue of greater significance this year than we saw both in last year’s survey and during our last visit to Cyprus.
Survey comments from Cyprus We have a crèche that is only open during school time (Cyprus 7.30-1) and is not cheap.
RAF Akrotiri has very limited childcare options. People currently use third country national Philippine ladies known as domestic assistance, but these ladies are not qualified, assured, effectively CRB checked and many can’t even speak a good standard of English. The few childminders that are qualified are those that are spouses of servicemen assigned to Akrotiri. There are no permanent options for childcare (very limited after school clubs and reliance on the transient population of serving spouses who may or may not choose to run child-minding businesses - many of which chose not to as the limited removals package to Cyprus prevents them bringing their child-minding goods with them). There is no childcare available in school holidays or outside of daily working hours. Compared to families in the UK, families in Cyprus are unable to rely on extended family members to assist with childcare. In sum, we have no quality childcare and no choice but to use third country nationals.
Akrotiri has 2 qualified child minders and a crèche which does not cover the working hours. The Unit ‘takes this at risk’ and there are unqualified Filipino domestic assistants which we also sign to ‘take it at risk’.
I live in Cyprus and unless you are happy to have a Domestic Assistant (which I am not) then you’re pretty limited to child care.
We are in Cyprus and I cannot work due to lack of childcare.
We are based at RAF Akrotiri. Jobs start at 7.30 until at least 1.30. Crèche doesn’t start until 8am and finishes at 12. This doesn’t really work so only leaves the option of a childminder. Here in Cyprus it is very difficult to find age appropriate care. Childcare is only available on camp in Cyprus and closes at 12.
I am currently living in Episkopi and I work 8am until 6pm; the childcare is only until 2pm and is of a very poor quality and not value for money. I refuse to have a DA who is unqualified and I am appalled that this is even an option.
In Akrotiri the crèche is open for 4 hours a day. These hours are insufficient to support any paid work.
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