Childcare

About our childcare guides

Raising babies and young children in Singapore often means juggling work, grandparents, school runs and a helper at home. These guides are written for parents who want a calm, workable routine, whether you are preparing for a newborn or settling a toddler into a new daily rhythm with your helper.

We cover the practical side of family life: newborn care, sleep and feeding routines, keeping little ones safe at home, and how to share the load with a live-in helper so everyone knows what is expected. For health questions about your child, always follow your doctor's advice, and call 995 in an emergency.

Key things to know if your helper looks after children

• Levy concession: if your household includes a Singapore citizen child below 16, you may qualify for the concessionary levy of $60 a month instead of the normal $300 for a first helper. If you are the parent, it runs from the child's birth; for a grandchild or other child, the child must be added as a household member in FDW eService. See MOM's levy concession page for the full conditions.
• Caring at a relative's home: your helper may only work at the address declared to MOM. Looking after your child at a grandparent's home is allowed only if you notify MOM first and have her written agreement.
• Rest days still apply: a busy household with young children does not change her entitlement to a weekly rest day, and at least one rest day a month cannot be compensated away.
• Accommodation: she needs adequate space and privacy, must not share a room with a male adult or teenager, and must be told where any cameras are.

How Femme5 can help

Many families come to us when a baby is on the way. We place live-in help for newborn and confinement care, as well as full-time live-in helpers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar and Mizoram. We pre-train helpers before placement and can share maid profiles on request, so you can look for childcare experience that suits your family. If you only need an extra pair of hands around the house while you focus on the children, our part-time help and home cleaning may be enough.

Where to start reading

If you are expecting, begin with how to hire a maid for newborn care, then compare options in our guide to choosing a nanny, babysitter or domestic helper. Once your helper has arrived, read about building a childcare routine and simple training routines that help her settle in with confidence.