Maid vs Childcare: Which Is Actually Cheaper for Your Family in Singapore?
Many parents assume a maid costs more than childcare. A live-in helper sounds like a big commitment, while a centre feels like one simple monthly fee. If you are wondering what is the cheapest option for childcare, the answer honestly depends on how many children you have, how old they are, and which type of centre you choose.
This guide sets both options side by side with real monthly figures, so you can compare them on the same terms. At SWIFT Maids, we have helped Singapore families find suitable helpers since 1992, and we believe you should see the full picture, with no hidden fees, before you decide.
The Real Cost of a Domestic Helper in Singapore
There are three parts to the cost of a domestic helper in Singapore: salary, the government levy, and day-to-day upkeep. Experience matters most for salary, so here is a monthly guide (market estimates, which vary by nationality and skills):
Monthly cost | Fresh helper | Experienced or transfer helper |
Salary | $600–$700 | $700–$850 |
Levy (with concession) | $60 | $60 |
Food, insurance, and medical | about $275–$440 | about $275–$440 |
Total with concession | about $935–$1,200 | about $1,035–$1,350 |
Total without concession | about $1,175–$1,440 | about $1,275–$1,590 |
The levy is where many families save. If you live with a Singapore Citizen child under 16, or a Singapore Citizen aged 67 and above, the levy for your first helper drops from $300 to $60. That is $240 a month, or $2,880 a year.
The cost of hiring a maid in Singapore also buys more than childcare. Your helper can cook, do the laundry, keep the home tidy, and look after grandparents, so one salary covers several jobs.
The Real Cost of Childcare and Infant Care in Singapore
Childcare fees in Singapore depend mainly on the centre type. Government-supported centres cap full-day fees at $610 a month (Anchor Operators) or $650 (Partner Operators), before GST. Private centres set their own fees, and well-known names often start from $1,500 to $1,900.
Infant care costs more still, because babies need smaller groups and more caregivers. Supported centres cap infant care at $1,235 to $1,290, while the price of infant care in Singapore's private centres typically starts around $2,000.
Subsidies bring these numbers down for Singapore Citizen children:
Basic Subsidy: Up to $300 a month for childcare and up to $600 for infant care, for children of working mothers at licensed centres.
Additional Subsidy: Means-tested for households earning up to $12,000 a month. For lower-income families, it can bring a supported centre's fee below $100.
Child Development Account (CDA): A savings account for your child, topped up by a $5,000 First Step Grant for first and second children, plus government matching of your deposits. It can pay approved centre fees, but it is a savings pool, so we have left it out of the monthly figures below.
Maid vs Childcare: Side by Side Cost Comparison
The table below shows monthly costs after GST and the Basic Subsidy, before any Additional Subsidy.
Option | One child | Two children |
Domestic helper (with concession) | $935–$1,350 | $935–$1,350 |
Government-supported childcare | $365–$410 | $730–$820 |
Private childcare | $1,300–$1,750 | $2,650–$3,500 |
Government-supported infant care | $745–$805 | $1,490–$1,610 |
Private infant care | $1,560–$1,800 | $3,100–$3,600 |
Start with one child in a government-supported centre. Here, the centre is the cheaper option in cash terms, and Additional Subsidy can lower the bill further. The picture shifts once you look beyond that case. A private centre already costs about as much as a helper, or more, for a single child. A helper's cost then stays flat however many children you have, while centre fees multiply with each one. If you have two children in infant care, even supported centres cost more than a helper, and private centres can cost more than double. Two toddlers in supported childcare are the only case where centres still come out ahead.
When a Centre Still Makes Sense
Children learn to share, take turns, and follow routines alongside their peers, and structured programmes introduce early literacy and numeracy. For a single-child household, a government-supported centre is also the most economical choice.
Which Option Fits Your Family?
Four questions can guide you:
How many children do you have, and how old are they? A helper becomes the better value as the number of little ones grows, and especially when there is a baby at home, since infant care is the most expensive centre option.
Do you need help beyond childcare? If meals, laundry, and cleaning pile up after work, a helper covers them. A centre does not.
How flexible do you need to be? Late meetings, sick days, and school holidays are easier when care is at home.
Is family support nearby? If grandparents can help a few days a week, a centre may be enough for your needs. If they need care themselves, a helper can look after them and your children under one roof.
Get a Personalised Cost Estimate from SWIFT Maids
Every family's numbers look different, and that is why we offer a free home consultation. We will walk you through the costs for your household, explain every charge upfront, and keep the process free of hidden fees.
With over 30 years of experience, we match families with helpers carefully, whether it’s an infant care maid for your baby or toddler or a transfer maid who may be able to start sooner, subject to availability.
If you cannot visit us, we will come to you. Prefer to drop by? We have three outlets across Singapore.
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