Childcare In Singapore: Nannies & Babysitters

She may not be a Maria from The Sound Of Music, a Mrs Doubtfire, or even a Mary Poppins. But if your baby is still very young, and you need childcare, having a nanny or a babysitter who can provide one-to-one care for them could be the best option. This is someone whom you employ to care for your baby in your home, or in their own homes. Most parents find one through word-of-mouth, based on recommendations from friends and relatives.

If you do not have any contacts for nannies or babysitters, you can find one through a new Pilot to provide childminding services for infants. Launched by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), this “aims to grow childminding services to be an affordable, safe and reliable infant caregiving option for parents”.

Currently there are three operators — EduNanny by Butler, Kidibliss, and NannyPro Care — under the Pilot. Operators engage childminders to look after infants, and each childminder will care for one to at most three infants at any one time.

Singapore Citizen infants aged two to 18 months are eligible to participate in the Pilot.

Parents can directly contact the appointed operators to sign up for services under the Pilot.

PROS

Your child has dedicated care. This is especially important if he is a young infant or toddler. Your baby will probably be held more often, and comforted when he cries.
There is no need to wake your child up in the morning, if the nanny comes to your home.
Similarly, it is more convenient for you as you do not have to dress your child and cart him off to a different location before work.
Your child is cared for in a familiar, safe, environment.
You’ll have more flexibility in setting baby’s routine, and rules for discipline, feeding, and so on.
If you need to stay late at work or leave for work earlier in the morning, you can negotiate times and extra pay with the nanny.
Baby falls ill less often, as there are no other children to catch germs from.

CONS

Nannies can be expensive. If you use an agency, you will probably have to pay a deposit.
It is not easy to find the right nanny for your child. You or your child may not ‘click’ with one, another may not practice hygiene at a level that you are comfortable with, and so on.
If the nanny comes to your home, you have to learn to live with lack of privacy. Some people do not like the idea of having a stranger in their home all day.
Even with the installation of a close-circuit camera, many parents are uncomfortable with the idea of abuse and prefer not to leave their baby alone in their home with a nanny.
You will still have to take leave if the nanny is sick or goes on holiday.
Your child may miss out on social interaction skills that are picked up at child care.
The nanny may not be able to stimulate your child to your satisfaction.

Find out more about the ECDA childminding Pilot here.

Featured image: Lina Kivaka on Pexels

All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeMotherhood.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest article and promotion updates.