Lima
Practical Life
Childcare, Babysitting
According to current regulations, while nurseries do not need more than a municipal license to look after newborn babies; Cunas require the Ministry of Education (Minedu) authorization. Therefore, unlike nurseries, cunas are managed by a group of professional staff: early education teachers, assistants, a nutritionist, pediatrician or a nurse specialized in neonatology, etc.
In addition, they must meet infrastructure standards, such as being located on the first floor, having large spaces (2sqm per infant) and special furniture. They also provide early stimulation, a healthy and varied diet and sanitary assistance during the first cycle of early education (0 to 2 years).
According to the Educational Statistics Unit of Minedu (Ministry of Education), in Lima and Callao there are 450 private and 174 public cunas that follow both the Regional Directorate of Education resolution and the operating law of the municipality of their district.
If you want to check the complete list of authorized cunas by Minedu, you can visit the Educational Management Unit (UGEL) in your area, enter the Educational Statistics Unit website, or check out Programa Nacional Cuna Más (Cuna Más National Program).
This Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS) program provides comprehensive care for children under 3 years of age and pregnant women in urban and rural areas in conditions of poverty and extreme poverty. It pretends to improve early childhood development to overcome the infants' cognitive, social, physical and emotional development gaps through two free services:
- Day Care Service: comprehensive care from Monday to Friday from 8a.m. to 4p.m. in premises equipped for girls and boys from 6 to 36 months of age, and that respond to their needs through care, play and nutrition.
- Family Accompaniment Service (SAF): weekly visits to homes with daughters and children under 36 months and / or pregnant mothers. Guidance is given to parents, in addition to promoting the development of girls and boys with gaming experiences.
Find out where your closest Cuna más centre is located in here.
Prices for Childcare in Lima
According to a study carried out by the "Education to the Future" group, those families who need childcare have to pay a nursery service that runs between 180 and 700 PEN per month ($55 and $170). In an official cuna, the amount goes up from 400 to 1000 PEN per month ($120 and $300).
Other Babysitting Options
The cost of hiring nannies and au pairs can vary depending on what part of the county you live in. Lima and Cuzco (city and suburbs) are pretty much on the same par when it comes to childcare costs, with the midlands coming in as the least expensive region.
Of course, there are other factors that affect the rate that a child-minder charges or how much a nanny is paid, such as: qualifications, experience, food supplied by the child-minder, etc.
Nanny
A nanny is a career who works in the family home and is, therefore, your employee so you must pay all relevant tax and social contributions and at least the minimum wage should be paid. It is always best to discuss salary in terms of gross pay.
A full time nanny generally works Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Any extra hours, overtime and additional babysitting is not included within their weekly wage. Rates vary depending on the nanny's experience, how many children are in your family, the nanny's qualification and location.
Au-Pair
To know more about "au pair", consult the "Find a Job" section.
How to Find a Babysitter
Most families find a babysitter by word-of-mouth, letting friends and family know that they are looking. Parents may also try posting on bulletin boards at community centres, grocery stores, or expat hang-outs.
A great online resource is to post on expat classified's, like on Easy Expat's babysitter search.
7/05/2019