Introduction
Finding a trusted Nanny in Singapore is rarely just about convenience. For many families, it’s the practical answer to long work hours, school schedules that don’t line up with office life, limited nearby family support, or the need for experienced newborn and infant care.
This guide explains how to hire well in Singapore—what to look for, what it typically costs, and which providers have enough publicly available information to assess with confidence.
The list below was evaluated using practical, buyer-focused signals: clarity of services, transparency of policies, and publicly available reputation indicators where they are clearly attributable. Where details aren’t publicly stated, they’re marked as such.
About Nanny
A Nanny typically provides in-home childcare, supporting a child’s daily routine and safety. Depending on the arrangement, a Nanny may also help with child-related tasks like preparing meals, managing nap schedules, bathing, school pick-ups, and age-appropriate play that supports development.
In Singapore, families often use the term “nanny” to describe a few different setups:
- Ad-hoc babysitting (hours-based, short notice possible)
- Part-time nannying (recurring weekly shifts)
- Full-time live-out nannying (set schedule, no live-in arrangement)
- Newborn or postnatal support (sometimes overlaps with confinement care; scope varies)
You might need a Nanny when:
- Both parents work full-time and need consistent weekday coverage
- Your child is transitioning from infant care to preschool and needs pick-up support
- You need backup care during school holidays, business travel, or caregiver leave
- You have a newborn and want experienced, hands-on infant care support (varies by provider)
Average cost in Singapore (practical benchmarks)
Pricing is not regulated and varies significantly by experience, hours, number of children, and whether it’s ad-hoc or contracted.
- Hourly babysitting / ad-hoc nannying: commonly quoted around SGD 18–35/hour (varies / depends)
- Overnight care: often priced as a flat nightly rate (varies / depends)
- Recurring part-time: may be hourly or packaged (varies / depends)
- Full-time live-out nanny: often negotiated as a monthly salary (varies / depends)
If you’re considering a live-in caregiver, note that many households in Singapore employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW) under Ministry of Manpower rules; that’s a different hiring pathway than an hourly Nanny.
Licensing or certifications (Singapore context)
There is no single universal “nanny licence” publicly stated as required across Singapore for private nanny work. However, many families look for:
- Infant/child first aid & CPR certification (provider varies)
- Relevant childcare experience (newborns vs toddlers vs special needs)
- Reference checks and identity/work-status verification (process varies)
- Clear written agreement on duties, hours, and boundaries
Key takeaways
- A Nanny’s scope should be defined in writing (hours, duties, child-related chores, outings).
- Screening matters more than labels—ask scenario questions and check references.
- Costs vary widely; clarity on schedules and expectations prevents disputes.
- Certifications (first aid/CPR) are valuable even when not legally required.
How We Selected the Best Nanny in Singapore
We used buyer-relevant criteria that help families shortlist safely and efficiently:
- Years of experience (where publicly stated)
- Verified customer review signals (only where clearly public and attributable; otherwise marked “Not publicly stated”)
- Service range (ad-hoc, part-time, full-time placement, infant care—where stated)
- Pricing transparency (published rates, clear quote process, or clear “request a quote” pathway)
- Local reputation (brand presence, clarity of policies, responsiveness indicators where publicly stated)
This guide relies on publicly available information (e.g., official websites and clearly stated service pages). When details such as ratings, exact years in operation, or review summaries are not confidently available, they are listed as “Not publicly stated.”
About Singapore
Singapore is a dense, fast-paced city where many households balance demanding work schedules with childcare needs. That combination drives steady demand for flexible, trustworthy in-home childcare—especially for families without nearby relatives or with non-standard working hours.
Service demand is typically strongest for:
- Infant and toddler care
- School pick-up and after-school coverage
- Holiday and short-notice backup care
- Care that fits condo living and shared community spaces
Key neighborhoods commonly served by Nanny providers (coverage varies by provider and caregiver availability):
- Central areas such as Orchard, River Valley, Novena, Bishan
- East areas such as Marine Parade, Bedok, Tampines, Pasir Ris
- North-East areas such as Serangoon, Hougang, Punggol, Sengkang
- West areas such as Clementi, Bukit Batok, Jurong, Choa Chu Kang
- CBD / Downtown and surrounding districts depending on travel time
Exact coverage areas for each provider are not publicly stated in many cases and often depend on caregiver matching and scheduling.
Top 5 Best Nanny in Singapore
Only a limited number of Nanny providers have enough confidently identifiable, publicly stated business details (e.g., clear official websites and service descriptions) to be listed here without guesswork. Many excellent Nanny arrangements in Singapore happen via private referrals, which are not appropriate to rank without verifiable public information.
#1 — NannySOS
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Babysitting and nanny services (service scope varies / depends); scheduling and caregiver matching (details vary / depends)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (request a quote)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.nannysos.com.sg/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Family-Friendly; Short-term or flexible care (varies / depends)
#2 — NannyPro
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Nanny placement and childcare support services (varies / depends by program and availability)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (request a quote)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.nannypro.com.sg/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Premium; Families seeking structured matching (varies / depends)
#3 — Babysits (Singapore)
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Platform to find babysitters/nannies; families and caregivers connect directly (screening and arrangements vary / depend on users)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (set by individual caregivers)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.babysits.sg/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link:
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Budget; Families who prefer to shortlist and interview directly
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NannySOS | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Family-Friendly; flexible care |
| NannyPro | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Premium; structured matching |
| Babysits (Singapore) | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Budget; direct hiring |
Cost of Hiring a Nanny in Singapore
In Singapore, the cost of hiring a Nanny depends heavily on the arrangement type (ad-hoc vs recurring), the caregiver’s experience, and the hours required. Because many roles are privately negotiated, pricing can look very different from one family to another.
As a practical benchmark, hourly childcare is often quoted in the SGD 18–35/hour range in public listings and informal market conversations (varies / depends). Monthly packages for recurring schedules are usually negotiated based on total weekly hours, duties, and whether the role includes child-related chores.
Emergency pricing / short-notice care
Short-notice bookings may cost more, especially for late nights, early mornings, public holidays, or peak school holiday periods. Not all providers offer emergency dispatch; availability varies.
What affects cost most
- Number and ages of children (newborn care typically requires more experience)
- Schedule complexity (split shifts, early starts, late finishes, weekends)
- Special requirements (allergies, medications, special needs experience)
- Scope of duties (child-related cooking, bathing, homework help, outings)
- Location and travel time (especially during peak hours)
- Contract length and consistency (regular weekly shifts can reduce hourly rate; varies)
To avoid surprises, request a written breakdown covering: hourly rate, minimum booking duration, overtime rate, cancellation policy, holiday/weekend surcharges (if any), and what tasks are included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Nanny cost in Singapore?
Varies / depends on hours, number of children, and the nanny’s experience. Many hourly arrangements are commonly quoted around SGD 18–35/hour, but you should confirm the rate, minimum hours, and surcharges in writing.
How to choose the best Nanny in Singapore?
Start with your must-haves (hours, child ages, language preferences, duties). Then interview using real scenarios (tantrums, choking risk awareness, sleep routines) and always check references and identity/work eligibility.
Are licenses required in Singapore?
A universal nanny licence is not publicly stated as required for private nanny work. However, families often prefer caregivers with infant/child first aid & CPR training, plus verifiable references and clear work eligibility.
What’s the difference between a Nanny and a babysitter in Singapore?
A babysitter is usually ad-hoc and short duration. A Nanny often supports a child’s routine on a recurring basis and may take on broader child-related responsibilities. In practice, many providers use the terms interchangeably—confirm duties and expectations.
Who offers 24/7 service in Singapore?
Not publicly stated. Some agencies may coordinate overnight or extended-hour care depending on caregiver availability, but 24/7 coverage is uncommon and typically arranged as shifts or as a specialised agreement.
Should I hire through an agency or hire directly?
Agencies can help with matching and may have defined processes (varies by provider). Direct hiring can be more flexible and potentially lower-cost, but you’ll need to manage screening, interviews, references, and agreements yourself.
What questions should I ask in a nanny interview?
Ask about: experience with your child’s age, emergency response steps, managing screen time, handling refusal to eat/sleep, discipline approach, comfort with outings, and whether they can commit long-term. Request references you can actually contact.
What documents should I verify before hiring a Nanny in Singapore?
At minimum, verify identity and confirm they can legally work in Singapore (status varies by individual). If hiring via a provider, ask what checks they perform (not publicly stated for many services).
What should be included in a nanny agreement?
Include: work hours, scope of duties, location, pay rate, overtime rules, payment schedule, cancellation policy, public holiday expectations, confidentiality boundaries, and a clear start/end date or notice period.
How quickly can I find a Nanny in Singapore?
Varies / depends on your hours, location, and requirements. Short-notice care may be possible through some services, but many high-fit matches take time due to scheduling and screening.
Final Recommendation
If you want a more guided matching process and prefer dealing with a structured provider, start with NannyPro and compare its options against at least one alternative quote.
If you prioritise flexible scheduling (including ad-hoc needs), NannySOS is a sensible starting point—confirm lead time, minimum hours, and any peak-period surcharges before booking.
If your priority is budget and control, and you’re comfortable interviewing and screening candidates yourself, Babysits (Singapore) can work well—just be disciplined about references, trial sessions, and a written agreement.
For any option, the best results usually come from a short paid trial, clear house rules, and a written scope that matches your family’s routine.
Get Your Business Listed
If you provide Nanny services in Singapore and want your details added or updated, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.