Demand for specialized ayi, or domestic helpers, trained in nutrition and student psychology and skilled at cooking, is growing as the entrance examinations for universities and senior high-schools draw near.

 

Domestic service providers have been swamped with calls from parents who would like expert care for their children ahead of the June tests.

 

This year's college entrance examination season starts on June 7. The high-school test will be at the end of June.

 

Students have a week off in the run up to the exams, and the two tests usually last three days each. During the 10-day period, many parents go out of their way to provide special food and rest for their children.

 

However, because few parents have the luxury of taking those 10 days off, many hire ayi to look after their children during the crucial period.

 

Xia Jun, manager of the Shanghai Jia Lilai Domestic Service Company, said demand for such services has boomed.

 

"We started the service last year. More than 200 families asked for helpers, but we could only offer 60 of them," he said.

 

Xia added that he had already received more than 30 calls about the service this year.

 

One domestic helper, surnamed Li, was recommended by the company to a family surnamed Wang last year.

 

"The parents asked me to cook some lightly flavored dishes, and they emphasized that nutrition and safety were the most important issues," she said.

 

Li added that before the recommendation, she was taught how to cook nutritious dishes so she could provide specialized services.

 

"However, the parents mainly wanted me to keep an eye on their 18-year-old boy to make sure he did not play any online games," she said.

 

Li said the pay for such services was 100 yuan (US$12.50) per day, allowing her to take home 1,000 yuan for the exam period.

 

Xia Jun said specialized ayi could expect to earn between 80 yuan (US$10) and 120 yuan a day. And those who have professional certificates in psychology or nutrition could earn as much 200 yuan per day.

 

An insider noted that Li's thoughts were shared by many domestic helpers, which could explain why the demand for specialized ayi is so high.

 

(China Daily May 10, 2007)