Looking for a nanny in Singapore? Learn about the different types of nannies, hiring options, costs, and key things to consider before choosing the right childcare help for your family.
In Singapore, hiring a nanny is very common for families, and not just for expat families but also for locals. For example, as a Singaporean, I grew up with nannies and I don’t consider my family a rich family.
Because of Singapore’s fast-paced life, many households with children choose to hire an extra pair of hands, especially if both parents are working or it is a single-parent home.
Finding the right nanny can make a significant difference in your daily routine and greatly reduce your workload. However, choosing the right nanny is also a major decision because they have a profound influence on your child’s growth and everyday experiences.
Needless to say, picking the right one deserves meticulous research, thought, and attention.
In this post, I’ll show you the different types of nannies so you can choose someone based on your needs. I’ll also share some common ways to find a nanny in Singapore and some factors to consider before hiring one.
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Contents
Key Takeaways
- Hiring a nanny in Singapore is very common for both locals and expat families because of the country’s fast-paced lifestyle.
- There are several options available, including live-in nannies, daytime nannies, and Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs).
- Live-in nannies and MDWs offer the most flexibility and support but require clear boundaries, proper living arrangements, and a long-term commitment.
- Daytime nannies are a good choice if you want childcare help while keeping your home private, although they are limited by fixed schedules.
- Costs vary widely depending on the type of nanny, experience, and hours, so it’s important to budget for both upfront and ongoing expenses.
- Using a licensed agency makes the hiring process easier and safer, while direct hiring requires extra effort in screening and checking references.
- You should take time to interview, check references, and trust your instincts, since the right nanny can have a lasting impact on your child and your household.
Determining Your Childcare Needs
Singaporean residents, locals and expats alike, are not strangers to the nanny hunt, and there is an extensive range of options available. However, not all childcare needs are the same, and the first step is to narrow down what your household really needs.
- Would you require someone to live in your home and be with your child for almost all of the daytime hours?
- Would someone coming in a few hours each day to help out be enough?
- Do you want someone whose sole responsibility is looking after your child?
- Could you use other types of help around the house, like cooking and cleaning?
Let’s take a look at some common options.
Live-In Nannies
Many households choose to hire a live-in nanny who will stay with your child for almost all of the daytime hours. The nanny will be fully responsible for, or help with, all child-related duties like feeding, bathing, playtime, taking them to and from school, and a multitude of other tasks.
Because these nannies stay in your home, they are often available at all times and flexible with working hours. This is the most popular option in Singapore, especially for families who need consistent help or prefer having stable, 24/7 support for their child in a familiar home environment.
Pros and Cons of Live-In Nannies
Having a live-in nanny gives you unparalleled convenience, especially if you have long working hours. Since they are always at home, you’ll get reliable support whenever you need it. In addition, many live-in nannies stay for years in a household, allowing children to connect with one stable, consistent caregiver who will understand their needs, habits, and personality over time.
On the other hand, you’ll have to share your home with someone who is often a stranger from another country at the start. You’ll be responsible for your nanny’s well-being and must provide a comfortable living space, meals, and healthcare.
There is also the emotional side to think about. When someone is around your child constantly, it is easy for routines or parenting styles to blur, so clear boundaries become crucial.
You’ll also need to outline clearly what the job entails in the employment contract to prevent any misunderstandings, especially around off days, working hours, and responsibilities. In Singapore, the most common way of getting a full-time nanny is to hire a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW).
These MDWs come from overseas from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar (Burma). Other MOM-approved countries also include Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
We’ll look more at the procedures and costs of hiring an MDW in a later section.
Daytime Nannies
Daytime nannies will come in during scheduled hours to provide childcare support. They come to your house during working hours and will return home after their shift. These nannies are popular with families who want consistent help but not someone living in their homes, or who need nannies to help send their children to schools.
Daytime nannies can be foreign workers who already have legal residence status in Singapore, but they are more commonly Singaporean citizens.
Pros and Cons of Daytime Nannies
Many families that have moderate childcare needs opt to hire daytime nannies because they don’t want to sacrifice privacy. Your home will remain your personal space once the shift ends and your nanny goes home, maintaining a clear boundary for both sides.
You also won’t be responsible for the accommodation, meals, or other living expenses of your nanny. Daytime nannies often come with solid professional experience and may have children of their own who have grown up.
On the other hand, a daytime nanny is limited by their schedule and might be unable to accommodate last-minute changes, late nights, weekends, or early mornings. You might also face inconvenience or disruptions if, for some reason, your nanny is sick or otherwise unavailable due to personal reasons.
However, for families that prefer to have the luxury of having their homes to themselves, a daytime nanny is an excellent choice.
Estimated Costs of a Daytime Nanny
Costs of a daytime nanny can vary according to experience, qualifications, the hours required, and the number of children she has to care for.
As a general rule, many agencies or individuals charge between S$20 and S$30 per hour for daytime care. This roughly equates to S$3,600 if you want the nanny around during the typical working hours of 9 am to 6 pm on weekdays.
It can be high because of the high cost of living in Singapore.
How To Find Nannies in Singapore
Getting help from a nanny is an extremely common practice in Singapore, since many households have two working parents. I personally grew up with several live-in nannies, one after another, as both my parents were at work for a good chunk of the day.
Here are some popular ways to find a nanny in Singapore, both live-in and daytime.
Use Local Nanny Agencies
An easy way to find a daytime nanny is to go to a reputable nanny agency. These companies have many qualified, fully vetted nannies who come with extensive references. You’ll often have to pay a one-time search fee, after which you’ll receive profiles that you can shortlist and start conducting interviews.
Here are some of the popular agencies in Singapore.
AuntySG – Founded in 2021, AuntySG is a relatively new agency that has thousands of nanny profiles on file. They have several packages ranging from $25 per hour to $35 per hour, depending on the number of hours you’ll need. There are also surcharges for public holidays and hours before 8 am and after 6 pm.
NannyPro – Founded in 2004, NannyPro is a well-established nanny and childcare agency in Singapore licensed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Their rates start from $215 daily for full-time help and $105 for part-time help.
Babysits – Babysits is an established childcare platform where you can browse profiles of nannies, check reviews, and message them directly to arrange for help. All their registered nannies have verified profiles, reviews, references, and a Certificate of Clearance from the police.
Hire Individually
If you prefer to work directly with individuals, you can also choose to hire a nanny using various online platforms like social media and forums.
There are many parenting Facebook groups in Singapore where there are often postings from both nannies looking for work and parents needing childcare help. You can then chat directly with potential candidates to understand their background and lifestyle and get a feel for their vibe before meeting.
References are absolutely essential if you are hiring directly, since you’re fully responsible for the whole process, including the screening, verification, and eventual hiring. Try speaking with the nanny’s previous employers and truly get a feel for the person that you are about to hire to care for your child.
Be thorough in your homework, but also trust your instinct. This is an incredibly important decision, and you can take your time making it.
Bringing a Nanny from Home
This is another option available. In fact, I know many families who bring their own nannies from home to Singapore with them, increase their salary, give them health insurance, arrange a visa, and so on.
It’s entirely possible to do it through the Migrant Domestic Worker program as seen in the section below.
Hire a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW)
In Singapore, it is fairly common practice to hire a full-time, live-in Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW), otherwise called helpers. One of the top benefits is that in addition to childcare duties, your helper can also take the brunt of other household chores like cleaning and cooking.
On the flip side, you’ll have to completely train someone new if they lack experience, and you’ll have to get used to having someone in your home at all times. In addition, there are strict rules set by the Ministry of Manpower that you’ll have to follow regarding things like salary, rest days, insurance, and living conditions.
If you already have an existing nanny who you want to bring with you, you can skip the first few steps, but you’ll have to fulfil other requirements like attending programmes, applying for the work permit, putting up the bond, and having your nanny do the medical check.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hire a Migrant Domestic Worker
If you don’t have a nanny yet and have decided to hire an MDW, here’s how to go about it.
- Agency vs Direct Hire: Most families use a licensed agency for convenience, since they handle screening, matching, paperwork, and training. Direct hire is possible too, but you’ll need to manage the process yourself, including interviewing and MOM submissions.
- Interview: You can meet in person if possible or use a video call. Ask them about their experiences, and trust your instincts to look for someone who will be part of your home for many years.
- Reference Check: If possible, check the candidate’s work history and speak with their previous employers.
- Attend the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP): If you are hiring an MDW for the first time, you’ll need to attend the EOP before you apply for your helper’s work permit. It’ll take approximately three hours and cost S$35 if you take it online.
- Apply for the Work Permit: Once you’ve chosen your MDW, you must apply for her work permit and obtain an In-Principle Approval (IPA) to bring her to Singapore.
- Bond and Insurance: Before your helper starts work, you’ll need to purchase a security bond as well as medical and personal accident insurance for her.
- Medical Checkup and Settling-In Programme: First-time MDWs also have to get a medical checkup and attend the one-day Settling-In Programme (SIP) within 7 days of their arrival.
- Prepare Living Arrangements: You’ll need to prepare your MDW’s living arrangements and ensure that they meet all the requirements set by the Ministry of Manpower.
Estimated Costs
There are significant upfront costs when hiring an MDW, especially if you use a licensed agency. Here’s a table with some rough estimates.
| Item | Estimated Upfront Costs (SGD) |
| Agency placement fees | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Settling-In Programme | $200 to $500 |
| Work permit | $100 |
| Security deposit to MOM | $5,000 |
| Insurance | $500 to $800 |
| Other admin costs | $200 to $500 |
In addition to these upfront costs, you’ll also need to factor in ongoing monthly costs.
| Item | Estimated Monthly Costs (SGD) |
| Salary | $600 to $1,000 |
| Levy | $300 a month ($60 if you qualify for a concession) |
| Living expenses (food, transport, phone, utilities) | $200 to $400 |
| Semi-annual medical checkup | $40 to $70 |
Hiring an MDW is an extremely common way for young families to have an extra pair of hands to help out with childcare and housework. However, take great care in screening and hiring your help, as the experience with an MDW can drastically shape early childhood.
Keep in mind that for many MDWs, leaving their home country for the first time and travelling to a completely foreign land with no family or friends can be unsettling and highly stressful.
I personally grew up with a series of MDWs, as both my parents were working. Some MDWs made a significant positive impact on my life, but others caused some mild trauma as they had difficulty adjusting to life in Singapore and went through some mental problems.
In contrast, a close relative has an MDW who’s in her 12th year and showing no signs of leaving. She is an invaluable part of the household and is treasured as practically part of the family. Each situation is different, and I hope you find an ideal MDW for you and your child.
Now, on to You
Moving to Singapore with children can be no easy feat, especially if you’re juggling a full-time job. Whether full-time or part-time, live-in or daytime, I hope you find some extra help around the household.
Good luck!
