15 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Nanny in Singapore

By KakiList Editorial Team · 23 Oct 2026 · 8 min read · Nanny/Babysitter

So your parental leave is ending, your in-laws stay too far in Yishun to help out daily, and infant care waitlists are longer than the queue at Liao Fan Hawker Chan. Sound familiar? Time to hire a nanny in Singapore — but before you whatsapp the first auntie your neighbour recommends, slow down.

A nanny is literally going to be alone with your child for hours. This is not like picking a GrabFood rider. TL;DR: you need a proper checklist. We break it down into four kakis — pricing, credentials, scope of work, and contract — so you don't end up jialat halfway through the arrangement.

a woman holding a baby and smiling at each other — Image credit: John Marfe Bitoon / Unsplash

💰 Money Talk: Pricing & Payment Questions

1. What's your hourly or monthly rate, and does it change on weekends/PH?

Why it matters: Singapore nanny rates vary wildly — from SGD 12–20/hour for a part-time babysitter to SGD 2,500–3,800/month for a live-out full-time nanny, and up to SGD 3,000–4,500 for a confinement nanny over a 28-day package.

Good answer: A clear breakdown with weekday, weekend and public holiday rates stated upfront, in writing.

Red flag: Vague