In February 2024, The Straits Times reported that some parents still struggled to secure infant care places in certain estates even after registering early. The article included a father, Mohammad Fadhli Fadzil who shared that waiting lists in his area could stretch up to a year so he registered interest in multiple centres before he got a spot months later.
I have seen the same pattern with families I help. Parents start with childcare centres then they hit delays, then the conversation shifts to home-based support. At that point the question becomes very practical: “If we hire a helper, how do we do it safely and legally and what will it really cost?”
This guide answers that for 2026 using only official rules and credible reporting with clear steps parents can follow.
Why Parents Are Still Hiring Childcare Help in 2026
Singapore is expanding childcare options but demand is not evenly spread across districts.
In the same Straits Times report, ECDA shared that in 2023 there were 14,600 infant care places and 72% (about 10,500) were taken up. ECDA also said it would work with operators to create more than 1,500 new infant care places in 2024.
Singapore also introduced more home-style childcare choices. In March 2024, The Straits Times reported a pilot childminding scheme, expected to keep fees around $700/month for a median-income family after subsidies (compared against infant care at anchor operators).
ECDA later announced a longer-term expansion plan to work with anchor operators to develop close to 40,000 new infant and childcare places from 2025 to 2029 including about 6,000 infant care places.
Even with these efforts, many families still choose a domestic helper because it can be more flexible for:
early mornings and late evenings
school holidays
sick days (when children cannot attend school)
households with more than one child
This is why many parents begin their search through verified directories and licensed agencies. A practical starting point is to browse a trusted maid in sg listing platform where you can compare agencies and profiles in one place.
How Common Is Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore?
This is not a rare decision. MOM’s official foreign workforce data shows migrant domestic worker numbers reaching 308,700 as of June 2025.
In my experience, when hiring becomes this common, it creates two realities:
Parents have more choices than ever.
Screening matters more than ever because quality varies a lot.
What Childcare Duties Can a Maid Do?
A childcare-focused maid can support many daily routines but the best setup stays parent-led, helper-supported.
Childcare Tasks Helpers Commonly Handle
Most families hire for support like:
preparing milk, meals, and snacks (based on your rules)
bathing, changing, and dressing children
washing bottles and sterilising items
tidying children’s areas and kids’ laundry
supervising playtime
simple school runs (if agreed and safe)
What Parents Should Keep Control Over
For safety and consistency, parents should lead:
medical decisions and medication, especially for infants
discipline and behaviour rules
screen time rules
online safety and device access
risky routines like cooking while a baby is unattended
A good helper is not just friendly. She follows routines, communicates clearly and stays calm when the child is upset.
Cost of Hiring a Childcare Maid in Singapore (2026)
Parents often ask me, What’s the real cost? The honest answer is: some parts are fixed and some parts depend on profile and agreement.
1) Monthly Levy (Official MOM Rates)
MOM lists levy rates as:
$300/month for the first helper (normal)
$60/month concessionary levy for eligible households
$450/month for subsequent helpers (normal)
Many childcare families qualify for the $60 concession but you should confirm eligibility before budgeting.
2) Salary (Market-Driven)
Salary depends on:
infant care experience
communication skills
number of children
rest-day arrangement
transfer vs new helper
Instead of guessing, I advise parents to ask agencies two specific questions:
What salary range is typical for childcare profiles right now?
What does the helper’s ‘infant care experience’ include exactly?
That one question saves many families from mismatches later.
3) Agency Fee (One-Time)
Agency fees vary. What matters is what you get:
replacement policy and its conditions
training filters (infant care, language ability)
paperwork support and timeline clarity
dispute support if the match fails
4) Mandatory Insurance and Security Bond (Official MOM Requirements)
MOM requires personal accident insurance and states it must meet conditions like at least $60,000 sum assured per year.
MOM also requires a $5,000 security bond for each helper (with certain exceptions), and employers cannot transfer this cost to the helper.
A Simple Monthly Budget Example
A clean way to plan is:
salary: depends on the profile and agreement
levy: $60 (concession) or $300 (normal)
food and household essentials: family-dependent
insurance and medical: often annual, so budget monthly
MOM Safety Rules Parents Must Follow (Childcare Homes)
This is the section parents skip, then regret later. Please don’t.
Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP)
MOM says first-time employers must attend EOP, and it lists the online cost as $35.
Settling-In Programme (SIP)
MOM explains SIP is a 1-day orientation for first-time migrant domestic workers, covering safety and living in Singapore.
Rest Days
MOM states an MDW is entitled to one rest day per week, and if the helper works on that day, she must be compensated. MOM also states there must be at least one rest day per month that cannot be compensated away.
From what I have seen, rest days are not only fair. They reduce burnout and burnout increases childcare risk.
How to Screen a Childcare Helper Properly
Most parents spend hours of research browsing profiles. That is useful but interviews decide the outcome.
Step 1: Ask Questions That Prove Experience
Instead of “Are you good with babies?”, ask:
“Walk me through a routine for a 6-month-old.”
“How do you reduce choking risk during meals?”
“How do you bathe an infant safely?”
“What would you do if the child has a fever?”
You want step-by-step answers, not vague confidence.
Step 2: Test Communication
Ask the helper to repeat your key rules back to you:
feeding schedule
safe sleep rules
what areas/items are off-limits (balcony, windows, stove)
Step 3: Confirm Job Scope
Be clear whether it is:
childcare + light housework, or
childcare + cooking + full housework
When scope is unrealistic, childcare quality drops first.
Step 4: Check Family Fit
Ask about:
discipline style (no shouting, no fear-based control)
comfort with outdoor routines
experience with more than one child
Home Safety Rules Parents Should Set From Day 1
If you hire, don’t assume the helper knows your way.
Non-Negotiables (Write Them Down)
no phone use while holding baby
no carrying child near balcony/windows
no cooking while child is unattended in bath
no posting child photos online
report any fall or bump immediately
The 7 to 14-Day Shadow Plan
This is one of the best systems I have seen:
parent demonstrates routines
helper repeats while you observe
you correct small issues early
Emergency Plan
Put a simple sheet on the fridge:
both parents’ numbers
nearest clinic address
what to do for fever
when to call 995
Agency Hiring vs Transfer Helper
Agency Placement
Best for parents who want:
structured screening
less paperwork stress
replacement option
Transfer Helper
Best for parents who want:
faster start
known local experience
But transfer does not automatically mean better. Interview properly either way.
Parent Checklist Before You Sign Anything
Must-Have
clear contract: salary, rest days, job scope
levy type confirmed
insurance meets MOM requirements
security bond arranged
EOP completed if needed
rest days follow MOM rules
Strongly Recommended
two interviews
two-week onboarding plan
safety house tour
written child routine sheet
Choosing a Safe and Reliable Maid in SG for Your Child
Childcare pressure in Singapore is real and official reports show that many families still face long waiting times in some areas. Even as ECDA continues expanding capacity, many working parents still rely on a trusted maid in SG for flexible daily childcare support.
When you hire a helper for childcare, you are not just filling a gap. You are choosing someone who will shape your child’s routine, safety habits and emotional comfort every day. That is why careful screening, clear communication and strict safety rules matter.
Parents who take time to interview properly, follow MOM regulations, and set routines early usually face fewer problems later. They build stable, respectful and safe home environments where children can grow with confidence.
In the end, the right maid in SG is not about convenience alone. It is about long-term trust, consistency and peace of mind for your family.
