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5 Differences Between a Childminder vs Nanny

Written by
Lloyd Tan
Published on
February 4, 2025

5 Differences Between a Childminder vs Nanny

Thinking of getting some extra help with your kiddos? You’d probably have heard of the new pilot programme for childminding services in Singapore. Launched last year on Dec 1, daddies and mummies can now easily look for a childminder to care for their children at a subsidised price.

You may know a nanny’s roles and responsibilities, but what does a childminder do and how are they different from a nanny? 

In summary, the primary difference between a nanny and a childminder lies in the location they work in, nature of care provided, and costs. 

  • Nannies work directly in your home, offering personalised, one-on-one care tailored to your child's individual needs. As they often handle a wider range of responsibilities, including light housework, their fees are naturally higher. 
  • Childminders, on the other hand, typically care for children in their own homes or designated community spaces, providing a more social environment where children can interact with others. This often makes childminding a more budget-friendly option, especially with government subsidies available under the pilot programme in Singapore.

Differences Between Nanny & Childminder

Let’s examine what exactly are the differences between a childminder and a nanny.

1. Location and setting

The biggest difference between a childminder vs nanny is the location where they work in.Nannies work directly inside your house. This eliminates the need for daily pickup and dropoff at preschool, saving time for both you and your child.

Meanwhile, childminders typically care for children in their own homes and/or community spaces. However, take note that only Tampines East Community Club and Nee Soon East Community Club have been identified for the childminding pilot scheme in Singapore. While the government may expand the locations in future, it may be inconvenient for parents who don’t stay around these areas for now. 

2. Time

Another difference is the service hours offered.

Nannies generally work on a full-time basis, providing consistent care throughout the workday or as per the family's specific needs. This can include longer hours, evening care, or even overnight stays, depending on the arrangement.

Childminders often offer more flexible arrangements, catering to various parental needs.This can include part-time care, occasional drop-in care, or emergency backup care.

3. Nature of care

Nannies provide highly individualised care, tailoring their approach to your child's specific needs, developmental milestones, and routines. They often build strong, one-on-one bonds with the child.

Childminders offer a more socialised environment where children can learn to interact with peers and develop social skills. This can be particularly beneficial for children who thrive in social settings. The staff-to-child ratio is typically lower than in larger childcare centres, allowing for more personalised attention within a group setting.

4. Childminder vs nannies’ duties & responsibilities

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a nanny over a childminder is the personalised care your child receives. A nanny is a dedicated caregiver who focuses solely on your child(ren). They handle everything from feeding and changing to playtime and even housework.

Confinement nannies from an agency have an added duty and that is to help with mummies who are recovering from childbirth. They will cook delicious confinement food recipes to aid recovery and teach mums certain Chinese confinement traditions and how to handle their newborns. The one-on-one attention is a major plus, especially for households with other younger children.

Meanwhile, childminders care for up to three infants at any one time under the pilot programme in Singapore. This is still a lower staff-child ratio compared to infant care in a preschool. Additionally, your child gets to interact with other kids, which is crucial for their development and better prepares them for preschool.

5. Cost

Childminders are typically more budget-friendly than full-time or even part-time nannies.

The cost of nannies are more expensive as you're paying for personalised care and convenience.Better yet, childminding now costs even less due to government subsidies under the pilot scheme. Previously, parents who choose private childminding services – typically by home-based nannies – pay anywhere from S$1,200 to S$2,800 a month, according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

It gets even cheaper if your little one only requires care for selected days a week. Only the blocks of hours used are charged. Parents can also tap on their Child Development Account (CDA) funds to further defray their expenses for childminding services.

Additional Considerations

  • Interviewing potential candidates: Thoroughly interview both childminders and nannies to assess their experience, qualifications, and approach to childcare.
  • Checking references: Request and verify references from previous employers or families.
  • Conduct home or community space visits: If considering a childminder, schedule a home or community space visit to observe the childcare space and get a feel for their overall approach.
  • Utilise available resources: Explore resources such as the ECDA's website for information on the childminding pilot programme, subsidies, and available community resources.

Childminder or Nanny: Which One to Choose

So, do you choose a childminder or nanny? It really depends on your family's needs and priorities.Consider these factors

  • Your child's temperament and developmental needs: Does your child thrive in social settings or prefer one-on-one attention?
  • Your family's lifestyle and schedule: Do you require flexible scheduling options, or do you need consistent, full-time care?
  • Your budget and financial constraints: What is your budget for childcare, and how much can you afford to spend?
  • Your preferences for childcare: Do you prefer the convenience of in-home care or the social benefits of a group setting?

Want personalised attention and have many children? A professional nanny is probably the best choice as they can handle multiple children and adapt to your family's specific routines and needs.

Only need extra help on certain days and looking for a more affordable option? A childminder could be a better fit as they offer flexible arrangements and typically have more competitive pricing than full-time nannies.

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