Filipino Caregivers Are Number 1 in the World!

Did you know that the children of British princes William and Harry were raised by a Filipino caregiver named Araceli Lillie Piccio, who later also assisted their mother, Princess Diana? Or that in Canada, the proportion of Filipino caregivers is more than double that of nannies and babysitters from other nationalities? We are sure that many of you are aware that Filipinos are the most employed foreign workers in the service sector in almost every part of the world, especially in Europe and Scandinavian countries. So, what factors make Filipinos so reliable and popular in service jobs, household chores, cleaning, and childcare? In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this global phenomenon.

High Education Level and Professional Background

The most important reason why Filipino caregivers are widely preferred around the world is that almost all of them have received good education in their home country, and many have even attended university. Today, the Philippine economy largely relies on the remittances sent back home by its citizens employed abroad. As of 2017, it is known that more than 10% of the country's population regularly works overseas. The common point of this 10% who migrate from the Philippines to work in other countries is that they all have received solid primary and secondary education.

In addition, the proportion of Filipino caregivers who have received training in nursing and teaching is quite high. Nursing education provides caregivers with a significant advantage in critical areas such as first aid, hygiene, and basic health knowledge essential for childcare. Those with pedagogical training possess deep knowledge in child development and psychology. Many families find it very difficult or costly to find a live-in babysitter who is a citizen of their own country and has higher education, so they naturally turn to Filipino caregivers. Their educated and professional approach gives parents great confidence.

Foreign Language Skills and Early Childhood Education

In Turkey, Filipino caregivers are frequently preferred not only for their good education but also for their high level of English proficiency. English is one of the two official languages of the Philippines, so it is taught at a native level throughout all educational stages. Therefore, Filipino nannies can use English fluently and convey it to the children they care for in a proper manner.

The difference between Filipino caregivers and other English-speaking caregiver candidates is that they not only speak the language but also apply the language immersion technique in a natural environment with the child at home. The child learns English not as a subject but as part of daily games, songs, and stories. This accelerates language development and enhances the child's cognitive abilities. Additionally, many parents who employ Filipino helpers state that having someone who speaks proper English at home greatly contributes to their own foreign language development.

Cultural Values and Empathy-Oriented Service Understanding

Many Filipinos who migrate to foreign countries for work aim to provide financial support to their families left behind in their home country. A large portion of the migrating Filipinos consists of mothers and older sisters. Therefore, Filipino childcare providers are individuals who understand what family means, love children, and comprehend their needs. They feel a deep sense of empathy and attachment to the families and children they work with because they understand the emotional challenges of being away from their own families.

Values such as "malasakit" (a heartfelt concern for someone's well-being) and "utang na loob" (debt of gratitude) that are part of Filipino culture reinforce their commitment and loyalty to their work. They are well aware of the challenges faced by mothers at home and provide impeccable service to their employers both to reciprocate the wages they receive and out of a sense of gratitude. Since their primary goal is to support their families, they are willing, diligent, and reliable workers.

Work Discipline and Price-Performance Balance

In Turkey, Filipino caregiver salaries are generally at the same level as those of other foreign caregivers. This salary level can vary depending on the caregiver's experience, references, education level, and the tasks to be performed, but in any case, the salary of a Turkish citizen who is at least a high school graduate and speaks English is much lower. This situation shows that the salary paid to them is quite attractive compared to the quality of service provided.

Filipino caregivers are flexible regarding working hours; they do not retreat to their rooms just because the daily working hours are over when there are tasks to be done at home or the children are still awake, and they usually take one day off a week. This adaptability and discipline provide invaluable convenience, especially for parents working in a busy environment.

Practical Care and Discipline Understanding

Another positive aspect of the majority of Filipino caregivers having raised their own children or siblings is that they get along very well with children and are aware of when they need discipline. Their understanding of discipline is based on love and patience. Having a Filipino caregiver at home helps your child learn to play, have fun, rest, and work at the right time and in the right amount.

Filipino nannies are also very attached to their own culture while being highly respectful of the culture of the family they work with. They are not only skilled in cooking meat and chicken dishes but can also easily learn recipes and traditional dishes that appeal to the Turkish palate. If you enjoy trying new things, your Filipino caregiver will also take great pleasure in introducing you to local flavors from their country or region. Additionally, having someone from a different country, speaking a different language, and belonging to a different culture at home helps your child learn to show respect and understanding to people who are different from themselves from an early age.

Legal and Safe Recruitment Process

Some families wishing to employ Filipino caregivers turn to agencies that deal with this process, while others try to meet caregiver candidates online and bring their chosen candidates to Turkey after fulfilling the necessary procedures. However, especially if you are not familiar with the procedures regarding employing foreigners and agreements made with the Philippine government, it can be quite challenging to find and start your caregiver independently.

Reliable Filipino nanny agencies that have been providing foreign nannies to families for years send you the CVs of the most suitable candidates in their portfolio, allowing you to interview the candidates you choose. If you decide on a candidate, they quickly and thoroughly handle all the necessary legal procedures for your nanny to start working. All you have to do is enjoy the peace and comfort of raising your most valuable assets, your children, with the support of a trustworthy nanny. This process provides a legal and ethical ground that protects the rights of both the family and the employee.