Many friends and relatives recommend a confinement nanny with the best of intentions. Yet, we have heard of unhappy outcomes.

 

“My friend had this nanny that she highly praised but it turned out quite differently for me and I was so disappointed.”

“What happened?”

 

Actually this is a real risk as every family has different expectations and requirements. Therefore it is very important for the confinement agency’s consultant to meet up with the new parents at their home for a discussion on needs and expectations so that the right matching of confinement nanny can be arranged correctly and successfully.

 

When choosing a confinement nanny, our advice to clients is to go with a licensed confinement nanny agency instead of going with freelance nanny through recommendations to avoid disappointment and last minute chaos. Due to uncertain delivery dates, the nanny of your choice may be occupied with another household or if the nanny happens to feel unwell at that time.

In cases where no deposit is given, it also means the freelance nanny is not obliged to turn up. Booking are based on promises without deposit does not guarantee the required commitment. The freelance confinement nannies can decide not to turn up upon baby’s birth.

 

In the worst-case scenario, the freelance confinement nannies can be offered a higher rate elsewhere and she decides to drop you without informing you. In some cases, she may still be tied up with another assignment and is “not free” to attend to you.

 

In such instances, parents are left to start searching frantically for another confinement nanny at the last minute.

In the case where a deposit has been made and the freelance nanny does not turn up, often times, the deposit may not be refundable because the confinement nanny becomes uncontactable.

Some freelance confinement nannies are too rigid in their practices because they come highly recommended. Instead of listening to and attending to the mother’s needs, they will insist on their traditional practices.

 

This often will result in conflicts and mothers will end up being more stressed. Without a proper system of feedback, monitoring, supervision and support from a professional and reliable company, freelance confinement nannies are hard to control.

As she is your ONLY freelance confinement nanny, you must be mentally prepared for the many “IFs” in the midst of your confinement:

• If she falls sick
• If she needs to leave due to personal reasons
• If she has an attitude problem
• If she can’t get along with your other family members
• If she secretly smokes in your home
• If she wants to borrow money on her second day of work
• If she did not perform to your expectations
• If she is not happy due to your expectations and wants to demand more money

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, employers can be fined up to $5000 for illegally employing confinement nannies without valid work permit. In addition, the errant employer will be permanently barred from employing future foreign domestic workers.

Don’t be caught off guard. For a peace of mind, approach us for a FREE consultation today.