For many families in Singapore, childcare decisions typically fall into one of three camps. The first option is for one parent to reshuffle work commitments or stop work entirely. For some, grandparents are available, willing, and healthy to care for their grandchildren. Or some household hires a live-in domestic helper.
But when a newborn or toddler enters the picture, some parents start looking for an alternative: a professional nanny.
This is especially common among dual-income households, where both parents want to remain in the workforce while also seeking dedicated, experienced in-home childcare. Before going down this route, it is important to understand one thing clearly. Hiring a nanny in Singapore is very different from hiring a domestic helper, especially in terms of cost.
Why A Nanny Is Not The Same As A Domestic Helper
In Singapore, domestic helpers are hired under the Work Permit for Foreign Domestic Workers scheme. Most live with the family, help with household chores, and often take on childcare duties alongside cooking, cleaning, and other tasks.
A nanny, on the other hand, is hired solely for childcare.
Their job revolves entirely around the child. This includes feeding, bathing, supervising play, managing nap routines, preparing meals for the child, and sometimes handling school drop-offs and pickups. Household chores unrelated to the child are usually not part of the job.
Many nannies have formal training in infant care, early childhood education or even nursing. Some specialise in newborns and have years of hands-on experience supporting families through those exhausting early months.
Most nannies also do not live in. They work fixed hours and are paid market rates, either hourly or monthly. This professional setup is the main reason why the cost of hiring a nanny is significantly higher than hiring a domestic helper.
How Much Does A Part-Time Nanny Cost In Singapore?
For families testing the waters, part-time nannies are usually the starting point. They offer extra support without the full financial commitment of a live-in arrangement.
That said, part-time nanny rates can come as a shock to those who have never hired one before.
In Singapore, rates typically range from about $25 to $45 per hour. The exact figure depends on experience, qualifications, number of children, type of care required, and hours required. Newborn and infant care almost always costs more than looking after older children. Weekend hours, public holidays, twins, or special-needs care can also push rates higher.
To put this into perspective, a part-time nanny working four hours a day, five days a week, can cost $1,900 to $2,200 per month. That is already more than what many families pay for a full-time domestic helper.
You can check rates on platforms such as NannyPro & Aunty, and many others, if you are considering hiring a nanny.
What About A Full-Time Nanny?
Hiring a full-time nanny is a much bigger financial commitment, but it also offers consistency, structure, and specialised childcare expertise that some families value highly.
Full-time nannies in Singapore typically earn between $2,900 and S$3,500 a month. Highly experienced nannies with infant-care certifications or nursing backgrounds can command salaries at the upper end of this range, or even more.
Unlike domestic helpers, nannies usually work fixed hours similar to an office job. A typical arrangement might be eight to ten hours a day, five days a week. Overtime, weekend work, or night duties are usually charged separately and negotiated upfront.
Another key difference is the scope of work. Full-time nannies focus almost entirely on the child. They may prepare meals for the child, tidy up toys, and manage the child’s laundry, but general household chores are usually not included. In that sense, the role is closer to a confinement nanny, where childcare comes first and everything else is secondary.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Confinement Nanny In Singapore?
Agency Fees & Other Costs
The nanny’s salary is not the only cost to consider.
If you hire through an agency, placement fees can range from around $500 to more than $3,000. This depends on the agency, the nanny’s profile, and whether replacement guarantees are included. Some agencies charge a one-off fee, while others operate on yearly contracts.
For foreign nannies, there may also be visa or work pass considerations that differ from the domestic helper framework. These arrangements vary, so it is important to clarify the full cost upfront.
Is Hiring A Nanny Worth The Money?
Whether hiring a nanny makes financial sense really depends on your household income, work demands and personal priorities.
For dual-income families with demanding jobs, a nanny can be the difference between staying afloat and burning out. In that sense, the cost is not just about childcare. It is about buying back time, mental energy and the ability to focus on work without constant stress.
There is also a longer-term angle to consider. If reliable childcare allows both parents to stay in the workforce and continue progressing in their careers, the financial payoff may extend far beyond the monthly salary paid to a nanny.
Still, it is important to be realistic. A full-time nanny can cost $30,000 to $40,000 per year. By comparison, hiring a domestic helper typically costs around $800 a month, including salary and levy, or under S$10,000 a year. That makes a domestic helper roughly one-quarter the cost of a full-time nanny.
At the end of the day, hiring a nanny in Singapore is certainly not about finding the cheapest option, but more about deciding what kind of support best fits your family’s needs, finances, and stage of life.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Maid In Singapore?
Photo Credit: iStock/maroke
