Introduction
Finding a trusted Nanny in Shanghai can feel overwhelming—especially for families balancing demanding work schedules, school runs, and the realities of expat or bilingual life. Many options are arranged privately through referrals and WeChat, which is convenient, but can make consistent screening and pricing comparisons difficult.
This guide is designed for parents who want a clear, practical path: what to ask, what to check, what it should cost (and why it varies), and which kinds of providers are easiest to vet based on public information.
To keep this trustworthy, the list below prioritizes providers with a verifiable public presence and a clear, Shanghai-relevant service offering. Where ratings, pricing, or review summaries are not consistently public, you’ll see “Not publicly stated” rather than guesswork.
About Nanny
A Nanny typically provides hands-on childcare in a family home. In Shanghai, families often use the word “nanny” to describe roles that may include daytime childcare, after-school care, or a live-in caregiver (sometimes overlapping with broader “ayi” household support, depending on the arrangement).
Common responsibilities include supervising children, preparing meals and snacks, managing routines (naps, baths, school pickup), light child-related housekeeping (tidying toys, children’s laundry), and supporting early learning through reading and play. Some families also look for bilingual caregivers, though language ability varies widely and is not standardized.
You may need a Nanny in Shanghai when:
- Both parents work long hours or travel frequently
- You have a newborn or toddler and need consistent daily support
- Your child’s school hours don’t match your workday
- You want continuity compared to rotating babysitters
- You need help during relocation, postpartum periods, or school transitions
Average cost in Shanghai: Not publicly stated. Pricing varies significantly based on live-in vs live-out, number of children, schedules (including nights), language skills, and whether you hire directly or via a platform/agency.
Licensing or certifications: Shanghai does not have a single universally required “nanny license” that is consistently published as mandatory for all private household employment. However, many families and agencies request documentation such as:
- Identity verification (government ID where applicable)
- Health check / health certificate (often requested in domestic service roles)
- Childcare-related vocational training certificates (varies by provider and caregiver)
Key takeaways
- Nanny roles in Shanghai range from childcare-only to mixed childcare + household help.
- Pricing and standards are highly variable; written scope and expectations matter.
- Verification often depends on documentation, references, and trial periods.
How We Selected the Best Nanny in Shanghai
We evaluated providers using criteria that reflect what families actually need when hiring childcare locally:
- Years of experience: Noted only when publicly stated by the provider (otherwise marked accordingly).
- Verified customer review signals (publicly available only): We did not assume ratings. If a credible, public review profile wasn’t consistently available, we marked it “Not publicly stated.”
- Service range: Ability to support common Shanghai needs (full-time, part-time, live-in/live-out, short-notice coverage where offered).
- Pricing transparency: Whether the provider clearly explains how quotes are built (even if exact numbers aren’t published).
- Local reputation: Considered only when supported by publicly visible information (not private claims).
This guide relies on publicly available information when known. Many Shanghai childcare arrangements happen through private referrals, which can be excellent—but are hard to verify in a publishable, consistent way without inventing details.
About Shanghai
Shanghai is one of China’s largest international cities, with a fast-paced work culture, long commutes in many districts, and a strong concentration of international schools, bilingual programs, and corporate employers. These factors drive steady demand for in-home childcare support.
Nanny demand is especially common among:
- Dual-income local families needing after-school coverage
- Expat families seeking English support and routine stability
- Families with newborns and toddlers needing daytime consistency
Key neighborhoods often associated with higher family and childcare demand include:
- Jing’an
- Xuhui
- Changning
- Huangpu
- Pudong (including areas with many family compounds)
- Minhang (including areas near school clusters)
- Hongqiao area (varies by administrative district boundaries)
Exact coverage depends on the provider, caregiver availability, and commuting feasibility.
Top 5 Best Nanny in Shanghai
Many Nanny placements in Shanghai are arranged privately and do not have a stable, public-facing business profile that can be responsibly “verified & reviewed” in a publishable way. For that reason, only three providers below met the bar for a clear public presence and a Shanghai-relevant childcare/home-service offering at the time of writing.
#1 — 58 Daojia (58到家)
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Domestic services marketplace; availability for nanny/baomu-style childcare support varies / depends on current listings and Shanghai supply
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.daojia.com/
- 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-to-midrange comparisons; families who want multiple options and faster matching
#2 — AyiBang (阿姨帮)
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Home-services platform; service categories and childcare availability in Shanghai vary / depend on current supply and booking model
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.ayibang.com/
- 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.): Families who prefer app-style booking and clearer service workflows (where available)
#3 — Tian’e Daojia (天鹅到家)
- Rating: Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Domestic staffing/services brand commonly associated with childcare-related household roles; specific nanny offerings in Shanghai vary / depend
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): Not publicly stated
- 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.): Families seeking structured matching for childcare-adjacent household roles (availability varies)
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 Daojia (58到家) | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Budget-to-midrange comparisons; faster matching |
| AyiBang (阿姨帮) | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | App-style booking and workflow-driven services |
| Tian’e Daojia (天鹅到家) | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Structured matching for childcare-adjacent roles |
Cost of Hiring a Nanny in Shanghai
Average price range: Not publicly stated. In Shanghai, nanny compensation is often negotiated case-by-case, and many offers are shared privately rather than published consistently. Expect pricing to be quoted differently depending on whether you hire through a platform/agency or directly.
Emergency pricing: Varies / depends. Short-notice, late-night, overnight, holiday, and last-minute coverage commonly costs more, but consistent public rate cards are not always available.
What affects cost most in Shanghai:
- Schedule type: full-time vs part-time; live-in vs live-out; weekends/nights
- Number and ages of children: newborn and toddler care typically requires more experience
- Language needs: bilingual expectations can affect compensation
- Scope creep: whether the role includes cooking, cleaning, or errands beyond childcare
- Experience and documentation: training certificates, references, and verifiable work history
- Hiring channel: direct hire vs agency/platform fees and replacement policies
For accurate budgeting, request a written quote (or message summary) that clearly states hours, duties, days off, and any extra charges for overtime or holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Nanny cost in Shanghai?
Not publicly stated as a single consistent market rate. Costs vary widely based on live-in vs live-out, hours, number of children, and expectations like bilingual support.
How to choose the best Nanny in Shanghai?
Start with a written list of duties and schedule, then interview for childcare judgment (safety, routines, temperament). Ask for references and do a paid trial when possible.
Are licenses required in Shanghai?
A universally required nanny license is not publicly stated. Many families request ID verification, health checks, and childcare-related training certificates depending on the role.
Who offers 24/7 service in Shanghai?
Varies / depends. Some caregivers accept overnight or live-in schedules, but availability changes. Confirm hours, rest time, and emergency expectations in writing before hiring.
Is it better to hire through an agency/platform or directly?
Platforms can simplify matching and replacements (terms vary), while direct hire can offer better continuity and potentially lower fees. The best choice depends on your need for speed, screening, and support.
What should I ask in a Shanghai nanny interview?
Ask about childcare routines by age, safety scenarios, meal prep for children, screen-time approach, and how they handle tantrums or illness. Also confirm commute feasibility and schedule flexibility.
What background checks are common for nannies in Shanghai?
Varies / depends and is not standardized. Families commonly request identity verification, references, and health documentation where applicable; some agencies may perform additional checks.
Do Shanghai nannies typically cook and clean too?
Sometimes, but it depends on how the role is defined. To avoid misunderstandings, separate “child-related tidying” from full housekeeping and agree on boundaries upfront.
How long does it take to find a nanny in Shanghai?
It can range from a few days to several weeks depending on your requirements (language, experience, live-in, newborn care) and the time of year. Starting with a clear job brief speeds up matching.
Final Recommendation
If you want the fastest way to compare options, start with a large marketplace-style provider like 58 Daojia and request multiple candidates—then do structured interviews and a paid trial to verify fit.
If you prefer process-driven booking (where available) and clearer service workflows, AyiBang may suit families who want a more standardized ordering experience.
If your priority is more structured matching for childcare-adjacent household staffing, consider Tian’e Daojia, but confirm Shanghai availability, scope, and documentation upfront since details vary by location and supply.
Across all options, the most reliable “quality filter” is still the same: clear scope, documented expectations, references, and a trial period before you commit long-term.
Get Your Business Listed
If you provide Nanny services in Shanghai and want your details added or updated, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.