Hiring someone to clean and cook is one thing. Choosing a person who will feed, bathe, comfort and keep your baby or young child safe for hours each day is quite another. For many Singapore families, domestic helper childcare is the main reason for hiring at all, yet the usual hiring process focuses on general household skills.
This guide focuses on one question: how do you evaluate whether a particular helper is right for looking after your child? It assumes you already understand the general steps of hiring. If not, start with our guide to hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, and see employing a domestic helper for your legal responsibilities as an employer.
Start With Your Child’s Actual Needs
Before reading a single biodata, write down what the job involves. The right person for a newborn is not always the right person for an active five-year-old.
- Newborns and infants need someone patient and calm who can handle feeding, sterilising bottles, nappy changes, safe sleep practices, bathing and soothing a crying baby, often during the night.
- Toddlers need energy, constant supervision, consistent routines, and someone who will keep them safe around stairs, windows, water and kitchens.
- Preschool and school-age children need help with routines, meals, getting to and from school or the bus stop, and simple homework support, with good communication becoming more important.
- Children with additional needs may need someone with specific experience, and families may want to involve their child’s therapist or doctor in deciding what training is needed.
Also be clear about how childcare fits with other work. A helper caring for a baby full time cannot also be expected to deep clean the house and cook elaborate meals.
What to Look For in a Helper’s Background
A biodata or profile from an employment agency is only a starting point. Treat claims as things to verify.
Childcare experience. Ask for details, not just “experienced with children”. How old were the children? For how long? Was she the main caregiver, or helping alongside a grandparent or nanny? Experience caring for her own children or younger siblings is real experience too, but it is different from looking after someone else’s child to that family’s rules.
References from previous employers. If she has worked in Singapore or elsewhere, ask the agency whether you can speak to a past employer. Ask specific questions: How did she handle a crying baby? Did she follow your routines? Would you hire her again?
Training. Some helpers have attended infant care, first aid or CPR courses. Ask to see certificates and when the course was taken. If she has not, you can arrange training after hiring.
Health. Childcare is physically demanding. The required medical examinations for foreign domestic workers are set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM); check the current requirements with MOM. Beyond that, ask whether she is comfortable with night duties if they are part of the job.
Language. Your helper must be able to understand your instructions, communicate with your child, and call for help in an emergency. Think about which language your child will hear most during the day.
Interview Questions That Reveal Childcare Ability
Good interviews ask about real situations, not just yes or no questions. Many families interview by video call when the candidate is overseas.
- “Tell me about a typical day with the last child you cared for.”
- “What would you do if the baby has been crying for an hour and will not stop?”
- “How do you prepare a bottle of formula?” Listen for hygiene steps.
- “If my toddler hits another child at the playground, what would you do?”
- “What would you do if my child had a high fever while I was at work?” The right answer includes calling you straight away.
- “How do you put a baby to sleep?” Listen for safe sleep practices, such as placing the baby on its back.
- “What do you enjoy about looking after children?”
Pay attention to how she talks about children, not just what she says. Warmth, patience and common sense matter as much as technical skills.
Comparing Candidates Side by Side
When you have a shortlist, a simple comparison helps you look past first impressions.
| Area to assess | Strong sign | Possible concern |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare experience | Specific, detailed examples matching your child’s age | Vague claims she cannot describe |
| References | Past employer speaks warmly and specifically | No contactable reference, or reluctance to share |
| Safety awareness | Mentions supervision, hygiene and safe sleep unprompted | Casual about leaving young children alone |
| Communication | Asks you questions about your child’s routine | Agrees to everything without questions |
| Attitude to guidance | Open to doing things your way | Insists her way is the only way |
| Health and stamina | Comfortable with the hours and night duties described | Hesitant about the core tasks of the role |
No candidate will be perfect in every area. Decide which areas are non-negotiable for your family.
The First Weeks: Training and a Gentle Trial
Even an experienced helper needs time to learn your child and your rules.
- Overlap first. If possible, have a parent or grandparent at home for the first week or two. Do every task together before she does it alone.
- Write down routines. Feeding times and amounts, nap schedules, allergies, emergency numbers and your paediatrician’s details.
- Explain your house rules. Screen time, snacks, discipline, outings and who may visit.
- Check in daily. A short chat at the end of each day helps you catch misunderstandings early.
- Watch your child. Babies and young children cannot tell you much, but changes in mood, sleep or appetite are useful signals.
Our guide on working with a helper to care for your child goes deeper into building this partnership once she has started.
Red Flags to Take Seriously
Most helpers work hard and care deeply about the children they look after. Still, act promptly if you notice:
- Unexplained bruises or injuries, or a child who becomes suddenly fearful.
- Repeatedly leaving a young child unsupervised, including near water or open windows.
- Ignoring instructions about allergies or medicine.
- A pattern of dishonesty about what happened during the day.
Talk to your helper calmly first, as many issues are misunderstandings. If you have genuine concerns about your child’s safety, put your child first, and contact your agency and MOM for advice on next steps. If your child shows signs of injury or distress, see a doctor.
Is a Helper Right for Your Family?
A helper is one childcare option among several. Some families prefer centre-based care for structured early learning and social time, or combine a helper with a centre. Our comparison of infant care vs childcare in Singapore explains how those options differ. Others rely on grandparents. The right choice depends on your child’s age, your work hours and your budget.
Choosing carefully, training patiently and keeping communication open gives both your child and your helper the best chance of a warm, trusting relationship.
Official sources: Ministry of Manpower (MOM)