Factors to Consider When Engaging a Confinement Nanny Agency In Singapore

The weeks after birth can feel unpredictable, even when you plan carefully. If you are weighing up a Confinement Nanny Agency In Singapore, you likely want two things at once: reliable newborn care and practical support that protects your recovery.

This guide walks you through the real factors that matter, so you can compare options calmly, ask clearer questions, and avoid common surprises once a baby arrives.

Factors to Consider When Engaging a Confinement Nanny Agency In Singapore

1. Confirm the agency’s screening and verification standards

A reputable confinement nanny agency in Singapore should verify each nanny’s identity, employment history, and hands-on newborn experience before assigning them to a family.

Ask how the agency checks:

• Previous caregiving experience with newborns and recovery support for mums
• Reference feedback from prior families (verified by the agency, not just provided informally)
• Health readiness for the physically demanding routine of day and night baby care

This matters because confinement nannies work closely with your baby and your daily home routine. Strong screening reduces avoidable stress during a sensitive period.

2. Check legal compliance and who manages the work permit

In Singapore, Malaysian confinement nannies require a Confinement Nanny Work Permit. A Work Permit is a government-issued pass that allows the nanny to work legally in Singapore for a defined period.

A reliable agency should manage the paperwork, timelines, and guidance clearly, including:

• Submission timing (typically not more than 4 weeks before the expected delivery date)
• Permit validity (up to 16 weeks starting from the baby’s date of birth)
• Government fees and levies (a levy is a mandatory monthly payment to the government for employing certain work pass holders)

Typical published figures you may encounter:

• Application fee: SGD $35 per submission
• Monthly levy: SGD $60 for Singaporean babies or SGD $300 for non-citizen babies

Disclaimer: Fees, levies, and eligibility rules can change. Confirm the latest requirements and costs with MOM and your agency before you commit.

3. Look for structured training that covers both mum and baby needs

Training creates consistency. It also gives you clearer expectations about what the nanny can do confidently from day one.

PEM nannies complete 150 hours of comprehensive training based on modules reviewed by a leading mum and baby expert. PEM nannies support families with hands-on skills for:

• Day and night baby care, including safe bathing and bottle hygiene
• Breastfeeding guidance, including positioning support and practical routines
• Confinement food and tonic cooking that fits your preferences
• Herbal bath preparation, with step-by-step handling and safe setup
• Laundry related to mum and baby care

If an agency cannot explain what their training covers, you may see wide differences in routines and hygiene standards from one nanny to another.

4. Understand the real job scope, so everyone aligns early

Many parents feel disappointed when they assume the nanny will handle everything in the home. Confinement nannies focus on postpartum recovery and newborn care, not full-house management.

Ask the agency to state clearly what the nanny will prioritise, such as:

• Feeding support and newborn settling routines
• Baby bath, diapering, and safe sleep setup
• Confinement food planning and cooking (including herbal soups if you take them)
• Herbal bath preparation for mum
• Laundry for mum and baby items

When you align on scope, you protect your rest and prevent daily friction at home.

If you want a clearer picture of what a structured service typically includes, you can read more about PEM’s approach to confinement care here.

5. Ask how the agency supports you during the placement

Parents often focus on the nanny, but the agency’s support system matters just as much. You want to know what happens if you have concerns about routines, hygiene, or communication.

A dependable agency should provide:

• Clear pre-arrival guidance on what to prepare at home
• A responsive point of contact for questions during the confinement period
• A process to resolve issues early before they become exhausting

This is especially important for first-time parents, because you may need reassurance on normal newborn patterns, feeding rhythm changes, and what to monitor.

6. Evaluate contingency planning without relying on assumptions

Even with preparation, plans can change. Illness, family emergencies, or timing shifts around delivery can disrupt arrangements.

Instead of assuming everything will “work out”, ask what the agency has in place to protect your care continuity:

• How they handle unexpected travel or administrative delays
• What “guaranteed arrival” means in practical terms
• How they manage scheduling changes around actual delivery dates

PEM guarantees the nanny’s arrival. This reduces a major worry for parents who need day and night baby care support right when they come home.

7. Check pricing transparency and what is excluded

Confinement care is easier to commit to when you see a clear breakdown. You should understand what you pay to the agency, what you pay to the government (levy), and what add-ons cost.

Look for an itemised quote that clarifies:

• Service fees and deposit terms
• Extension rates (if you decide you need more time)
• What your family must provide (common examples include ingredients for confinement food)

Transparent pricing helps you compare agencies fairly, especially when you are also considering a confinement centre Singapore option.

8. Decide whether home-based care or a confinement centre suits your family better

Some parents shortlist a Singapore confinement center because it feels structured, especially for first-time mums. Others prefer staying at home to recover in a familiar environment.

A simple way to compare:

If you value privacy, personalised routines, and hands-on guidance at home, confinement nannies can fit well.

9. Ask about insurance and liability protection

Accidents can happen in any home setting. An agency that provides insurance coverage for nannies helps reduce financial uncertainty for both the family and the caregiver.

Clarify:

• Whether the nanny has medical insurance coverage during the placement
• What the agency advises you to do if an injury occurs at home

This is a practical detail, but it often signals how professionally the agency runs its operations.

10. Confirm how the agency handles herbal preferences, including herbal packages

Some mums want herbal soups and herbal bath routines as part of confinement. Others prefer simpler meals, especially after a C-section or if their appetite changes.

If you plan to take a herbal package (a prepared set of herbs used for postpartum routines like herbal soups and herbal bath), confirm two things:

• PEM nannies are trained to prepare herbal packages safely and consistently
• Mothers can add-on the package at a special rate

This lets you plan your budget and your preferred routine without last-minute shopping or confusion.

A Practical Shortlist of Questions to Ask Any Agency

Use these questions to keep your comparison focused:

1. How do you verify a nanny’s experience and references?
2. Who manages the Work Permit process and timeline?
3. What training do your nannies complete before deployment?
4. What exact tasks do you include under day and night baby care?
5. How do you handle concerns during the confinement period?
6. Do you provide insurance coverage for nannies?
7. Can you support confinement food, tonic cooking, and herbal bath preparation based on my preferences?

If you ever feel persistently low, overwhelmed, or unable to cope, speak to a doctor promptly. Confinement care supports daily routines, but medical advice must come from healthcare professionals.

Choosing a confinement nanny agency In Singapore becomes much simpler when you focus on verification, legal compliance, training, and clear scope. PEM brings 30+ years of experience, 550+ nannies, and support trusted by 50,000+ mothers, with a guaranteed arrival for added peace of mind. To check availability and get a clear breakdown for your dates, Enquire now, here.