Comparison
Top recommendation: STAR confinement
⭐️ top up $450 for gold tier (chargeable per month) is worth it IMO
⭐️ if financials are ok, recommend to hire for at least 3-4 months (✏️ Confinement Nanny permit under MOM covers max up to 16 weeks). We hired for 2 months. 1 month is way too short imo. 🥲 Note: We do not have a helper (in the midst of hiring) nor seeking help from grandparents)
⭐️ responsiveness on whatsapp is great and of good quality. Baby arrived earlier than expected and there was an extended stay at the hospital. Star was very professional and prompt in their response
⚠️: Do plan ahead (indicated my interest 4months in advance) if you wish to engage STAR as there’s a very low chance that they can fulfill service within short notice. Also, when I indicated my interest, only 2 gold tier nannies were available.
STAR definition of “Gold Tier”:
- excellent track records such as never been replaced for the past 2 years jobs (e.g. 16 assignments)
- often been requested for extension example the customer only booked her for 28 days (one month) and then after start work the customer request to extend her (we will receive such requests)
- excellent reviews from their customers too
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📈The average confinement nanny fee is around $3800-$4000 per 28days. More common at $4k range.
💸What are the other fees to be paid on top of it, some optional:
- mandatory MOM levy fee
- Insurance: Some mandate that you procure insurance through them while some agencies make it optional ie you can procure on your own
- Gold tier/ “popular” nanny selection fee: Interestingly, not all agencies have such concept. For eg Supernanny take pride in ensuring all their nannies are good
- Herbal package (optional)
- Massage package (optional)
- if you stay in landed house, with or without lift, additional fee of around $150-200
- Welcome and farewell angpao. Most recommend except for Gladys Care who mandates in the contract to give $100 welcome angpao.
Others that I have explored:
✏️: Tip- read google review. Filter based on most recent and lowest score to have a holistic understanding
1. PEM (largest network) - VERY salesly, information not congruent at different stages. In fact, was the first I went with but ran away shortly
- Pre-sales follow up closely but they are weak at reverting your qns. Tends to over promise at this stage. Eg- negotiated for longer replacement period for 56days package. Pre-sales said it should not be an issue. Consultant said that it’s not possible as it’s a “standard” practice in the industry
- Replacement nanny (2x free) is available only within first 14days only, no extension whether you get 28/56 longer packages. STAR offers more flexibility.
- When asked for some Nanny biodata under “gold tier”, there was a stark contrast to STAR. See picture. STAR bothered to provide a lot more details + attached screenshot of their recent reviews. To me, this is the value add that I wanted if I am paying almost same fee as PEM.
- Insurance: optional
- Responsiveness: eager to sell, not eager to revert to your additional qns that is not in their standard script
2. Super Nanny
- The founder, Alex, or her daughter will attend to you. First call over Zoom
- Was informed they are the longest and one of the oldest Nanny agency. They don’t seem to have the concept of gold tier because they believe all their nannies are experienced and they pride having good and personal relationships with them.
- Did not receive standardized biodata. Recommends based on what he thinks is suitable. Able to find good review on Google review for recommended candidate
- Offers standard and enhanced package ($4.2k vs $5.2k, main diff are the add-ons: insurance, massage etc). If you extend, it will cost $4.1k (slight discount)
- Insurance: optional
- Responsiveness: so-so
3. Nannymoon (very close to my serious consideration- fair pricing)
- Ran by a couple (parents themselves- 2). Spoke with Joel, the founder. Very personable and believes in treating his Nannies well. Cited an incident where employer was upset the nanny ate their bread. Dispute outcome: he paid $15 to appease the client.
- Joel was very nice to accommodate night call eg 9pm.
- They aim to provide comprehensive help and have tie ups with Dr to discuss on topics: Postpartum Recovery Tips, Solutions, Breastfeeding Support, Common Baby Skin, Newborn Care Essentials(Bathing, Safe Sleep, & More)
- package slightly cheaper at $4080/mth (*includes* the ability to select Nanny. Most agencies would have charged $200-$500 for this). They can arrange for Nanny interviews as well (not typically offered for others) Insurance optional.
- offers discount if you commit to longer packages. Most agencies do not ie the cost scales linearly with your duration.
- Interestingly, they offer this option for you to reengage your nanny for adhoc duties: eg, if you are planning for a short getaway with your partner, they can come stay at your place to take care of baby. This is an exclusive offer for their clients. Creative option but not sure how feasible- nanny travels all the way down(?) just for a few days? Also, this arrangement would depend on their availability. If they are popular, might be very difficult
- Responsiveness: good and eager
4. Xpress confinement
- $3864/mth but compulsory to get insurance through them $337 (one year).
- Did not explore further but they are quick to share on their package details, some biodata
- Responsiveness: good
4. Gladys Care
- $4k for normal nanny, $4.5k for popular nanny. Additional $300 for selection. By far, the most expensive agency I had came across. Trying their service for my 2m+ baby as STAR was already fully booked till October 2026
- No discount for any extension
- Does not present biodata in a standardized way. Just screenshots of whatsapp pic. They have their own internal rating.
- “Popular” nanny definition: “Nanny must have a good attitude, above more then 5 years experience. Good in premi and full term baby, hygiene, able to handle baby as time to time changes, get along well with family members. Able to communicate and work together well. This will be attributed to mommy's request for her.”. Comparing this with STAR, I feel there’s more substance and stronger robust approach with STAR.
- Offers optional in-house package: lactation, jamu massage, herbal package
- welcome angpao of $100 (stated in contract) and farewell angpao is up to employer
- Pride themselves for having personal relationship with their Nannies
- Responsiveness: Good
- Went with them because I needed quick turnaround. Incoming helper hired from Bliss Helper (sister company of PEM, nightmare btw..story for another time) was not up to standard and we do not intend to get replacement helper through them due to the bad bad bad experience we had with them throughout the process after signing up with them. Will update my review once Nanny comes in, in a few days time.
❌ ⚠️ latest update: good and experienced nanny but is probably the *most* despicable agent that I have came across. Does not break down agency fee collected because she eats almost half of it. Claims to treat the nannies well but obviously does not translate or show up in their payslip.
✏️ If you require Nanny service beyond 16 weeks, you will need to get FDW permit. Enquired this permit conversion with (2), (3), (4). Supernanny charges agency fee of $650 while the rest do not. That said, even though Gladys do not charge, they are already quite expensive on it’s own. When you undertake FDW permit, you are subjected to the standard:
- medical check up every 6 mths
- employee online training
- insurance (++)
From my experience, selecting the right confinement nanny can significantly impact your postpartum recovery and baby care journey. STAR confinement’s gold tier nannies, who are highly rated and rarely replaced, provide reassurance for sustained support during the critical first few months after childbirth. As highlighted, their responsiveness and professionalism—especially when unexpected events like early baby arrival occur—greatly ease the stress new parents face. Planning ahead is essential since STAR’s gold tier availability is limited and demand is high, often requiring booking 4 months in advance. The permit from MOM covers up to 16 weeks, which seems ideal, as 1 month is often insufficient for recovery. The flexibility to extend service with the same nanny is a strong advantage and worth considering when budgeting. Comparing other agencies, PEM has the largest network but ranked lower due to inconsistent information and pressure sales approaches. Their free replacement nanny offer only lasts the first 14 days, unlike STAR’s more flexible options. Super Nanny prides itself on the consistent quality of its nannies without a gold tier concept, offering a more personalized selection process but less data transparency. Nannymoon stands out with its fair pricing and comprehensive postpartum support programs, including expert talks on breastfeeding and newborn care, which add value beyond just nanny care. They also provide unique options like reengagement of nannies for short-term duties, which can be helpful for parents planning breaks. Their founding couple’s approach also shows empathy and responsiveness, a crucial factor. Xpress confinement and Gladys Care offer competitive packages but differ in pricing and additional fees. Gladys Care’s strict welcome angpao policy and high prices might be a consideration. However, their personal relationship with nannies can enhance trust. When needing nanny service beyond 16 weeks, securing an FDW permit is necessary, involving medical checks and training, with agencies differing in fees. This is important for parents looking for longer-term care. Additional costs such as MOM levy, insurance, herbal/massage packages, and fees for landed house service must be budgeted. Reading recent, low-score Google reviews also helps gain a balanced view of each agency. Ultimately, choosing a confinement nanny service depends on personal preferences, budget, and the type of support desired. My takeaway is that investing in a reputable gold tier nanny with good reviews and reliable communication, like STAR’s, is beneficial for peace of mind and recovery during the confinement period.