After childbirth, women generally experience extreme weakness and are more vulnerable to illnesses. For this reason, they are often advised to adopt a new daily routine that will specifically support and speed up their recovery. For some women in Singapore, this includes hiring a confinement nanny for assistance.
However, finding a full-time or part-time confinement nanny in Singapore is not an easy task. While these professional confinement nannies are very common, they are also in demand, making the search challenging.
If you are in the process of hiring a confinement nanny in Singapore, there are certain essential questions you should ask your potential nanny to make sure you hire the right person for the job.
Question #1: How many years of experience as a confinement nanny do you have?
As with any job, experience is crucial in determining how good and effective a confinement nanny will be. Especially since caring for a newborn requires certain skills and knowledge, you would want to ensure that your hired confinement nanny is experienced and knowledgeable enough to perform their job.
Be sure to choose someone with numerous years of experience. Hence, ask your potential confinement nanny about the number of years they have been in the industry during the hiring process. Aside from experience, you should also ascertain the know-how of your potential confinement nanny. For instance, ask them if they know how to prevent or address burping, colic, and spit-up in an infant.
During the interview process, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- How many jobs does the confinement nanny take on in a year? This is so that you can estimate how many newborns she has previously cared for.
- Was there a period between when they stopped working as a nanny and when they resumed? Some confinement nannies may have taken a year or two off from working as confinement nannies before returning to work again.
- When was their most recent job? If their last employment was a long time ago, their skillset might have gotten stale.
You can also ask more general questions, such as how many children and grandchildren they have, as that is their foundational experience at the very least.
Question #2: Are there any photos of your previous confinement meal creations?
Getting as much nutrition as possible from a confinement diet is crucial, especially after strenuous labour. On the other hand, some mums may refuse to eat during their confinement period because they have a diminished appetite or are looking to lose weight after childbirth.
Requesting pictures of past culinary creations has the added benefit of allowing you to visualise the dishes you will be eating. You can also compare the diets of various confinement nannies and find one that suits your palate. However, keep in mind that not all confinement nannies photograph the dishes they prepare. As a result, it’s understandable if some nannies don’t have any images on hand.
It’s also advantageous to find a confinement nanny knowledgeable in other areas besides preparing confinement meals. If you or your partner is breastfeeding, it’s necessary to get a confinement nanny who knows how to prepare certain meals that help with breastfeeding. Although hospitals usually provide new mothers with basic breastfeeding knowledge, you or your partner can face some issues like low milk supply along the way. Therefore, having a confinement nanny who can cook meals that increase milk supply or aid the body in recovering faster would be beneficial.
Questions #3: Are there any reviews or testimonials by former clients?
Before leaving, the client would typically either write a review voluntarily or be encouraged to do so by the confinement nanny on the quality of the nanny’s services. The review will usually be written on paper, a card, a red packet, WhatsApp, or SMS. If the client is inclined to write a review, the confinement nanny’s services are of the highest standards.
On the other hand, it’s common for a confinement nanny to only present positive feedback. As a result, you can expect only to be presented with good reviews. You can also get a better sense of her personality by listening to her tone and expression when you’re speaking with her.
Question #4: Is it possible for me to break the confinement rule if I don’t like it?
Some confinement nannies are traditional and will become dissatisfied if specific confinement rules are broken, particularly when washing hair, bathing, or leaving the house. The younger generations are less inclined to adhere to some of these stringent rules, which might make you feel restricted.
If you don’t intend to follow some of these rules, it’s essential to highlight them at the beginning. If the confinement nanny you’re interviewing cannot reach an agreement, it’s a sign that she’s not willing to negotiate specific tasks.
It’s also crucial to keep in mind that these confinement nannies adhere to the confinement guidelines for your benefit. They treat you as though you were one of their own.
Question #5: Are there any jobs lined up before and after my EDD?
Most confinement nannies have the mindset that if you don’t ask, they won’t tell. They’ll presume you’re informed. As a result, it’s critical to know if they have any jobs lined up before or after your estimated due date (EDD) to ensure a smooth and hassle-free confinement period.
If they have jobs lined up, find out if they have a backup plan in case you have an early birth that conflicts with their work schedule. On the other hand, will they be available to support you if you have a delayed delivery? If you believe their schedules are constrained, it is best to find another nanny.
Some confinement nannies will only prioritise you after you agree to work with them. Meanwhile, some will put their existing clients first and focus on finishing their jobs before committing to you. To get around this, inquire about their practices and choose one compatible with yours.
Questions #6: What job scopes do you typically assist with?
No single “standard” job scope exists because different nannies will have different job scope expectations. When looking for confinement nannies, some may have heard from others that certain nannies will perform specific tasks. Some confinement nannies, for example, will do housework as part of their duties, whereas others will not.
For a seamless confinement period, getting everyone on the same page is critical. Before hiring a confinement nanny, it’s always a good idea to inquire in detail and set realistic expectations.
Question #7: What are your fees, entry and exit (in and out) costs, and working periods?
Generally, you’ll only need to pay the nanny’s salary and provide an Ang Bao on their entry and exit (in and out) days. Their salary will vary depending on various circumstances, including the number of babies they will be caring for, whether it’s Chinese New Year, their spoken languages, whether they are stay-at-home or out-of-home nannies, and the value of their experience.
Although the confinement nanny has set their pricing, you can tell them your budget and negotiate. However, refrain from making an offer significantly below their asking price as they might feel undervalued after taking on the job. It’s advisable to choose another confinement nanny with a lesser quote that is within your budget. On the other hand, having a lower quote does not imply that they are inferior.
Also, instead of using a general term like ’a month,’ it’s advisable to quote the exact number of days the nanny will be working. Many first-time parents assume that a month implies the confinement nanny will be working for 30 days, while the nanny will only be working for 28 days.
Another misconception is that most believe it’s considered a half-day when the confinement nanny arrives in the afternoon or evening on their first day when it’s seen as a full day. The same misconception applies when the nanny leaves before noon on their last day. It’s vital to remember that the time they spend commuting from their home to yours or vice versa is part of their services.
Giving an Ang Bao on their first and last days is standard practice, as most confinement nannies believe that everything will go smoothly when they receive a red packet. As such, check with them about their expectations as some nannies will also request a Chinese New Year Ang Bao. As a result, consult them if they have this practice.
Question #8: Are there any surcharges for additional services?
Finally, inquire about possible surcharges and reimbursement. For example, if the nanny frequently needs to climb a staircase to the second level of the house, there will be surcharges. Additional costs will also be incurred for factors such as the number of newborns to be cared for, English-speaking nannies, and the reimbursement of transport costs. Some stay-out or part-time confinement nannies may also request additional housing and transportation allowances.
Different confinement nannies charge different fees. For example, a part-time confinement nanny in Singapore may charge less than a full-time nanny with many years of experience. Discuss all pay-related concerns with your potential nanny during the interview to avoid surprises.
Inquire about any potential surcharge, reimbursement, or allowance. If you believe the total is too high, negotiate from a salary standpoint rather than surcharges, restitution, and so on.
Conclusion
With the high demand for confinement nannies in Singapore the country, finding the right nanny for you or your partner is not a walk in the park. You need to consider many things when choosing the right and the best person for the job. By asking the questions mentioned in this article, you can better understand whether your potential nanny is genuinely the one you are looking for.
To make your search easier, it’s recommended that you engage the services of a reliable confinement nanny agency in Singapore. At NannyStreet, we have the necessary knowledge and experience to help you find the confinement nanny you need with much ease. At a very affordable processing fee, we will handle all your required paperwork and help you ensure that your or your partner’s confinement period will be much easier and more convenient. Contact us to know more about our services.