Childcare in Woodlands Singapore

Woodlands is in the Northern part of Singapore and it is a town that is closest to the neighboring country Malaysia.

There are about 80 childcare centers in this town. This is a lot of more than some other town in Singapore. It may be due to its relatively large size and a big pool of young parents in this town.

Childcare centers operating in woodlands include SWEETLANDS CHILDCARE WOODLANDS 896B PTE. LTD., BRIGHT CHILD EDUCARE CENTRE, BUMBLE BEE CHILD CARE CENTRE, PCF SPARKLETOTS PRESCHOOL @ SEMBAWANG BLK 755 (CC), STAR LEARNERS @ WOODLANDS CIRCLE PTE. LTD. and MY WORLD PRESCHOOL LTD.

Please refer to childcare centers at woodlands for more information such as detailed address and map, fee for various service as well as incidental charges and review.

ChildcareSingapore

Childcare center in Sembawang

Sembawang is where my home office is located. So we know this area extremely well.

Sembawang is a town where most people will take train to the city center which is relatively far away. By train, it will take slightly more 30 minutes. It will take slightly more than one hour to reach city centre by bus.

There are 35 childcare centers in this town. More should be built as more new housing blocks are built in this area.

There are a few PCF childcare center in this area as well as three My First Skool – a corporation that is linked closely to the government.

Although there are not many rich people in this area, it has a few childcare centers that charge more than one thousand dollars per month for full day childcare service. This include ADMIRAL HILL PRESCHOOL PTE. LTD., MODERN MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL CENTRE, and STAR LEARNERS @ SEMBAWANG PTE. LTD which is located in a small private housing estate in the town.

Please refer to Childcare centers in Sembawang for more information about childcare in this area such as name, address, map, fees and incidental charges as well as operating hours.

ChildcareSingapore

Childcare in Bedok

Bedok is a mature town in Singapore where there are many private houses. Maybe because of this, there are many childcare center in this area. However, it is expected that the number of childcare centers will decrease over time as number of young parents in this area is decreasing over time. A large population of this area is elderlies.

There are 76 childcare centers in Bedok Singapore. 3 of the childcare centers are managed by a NTUC linked company My First Skool, other childcare centers in Bedok include KIDZ VENTURES CHILD CARE, SUNFLOWER PRESCHOOL PTE. LTD., RAINBOW COVE @ SENNETT PTE. LTD. And CHARIS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL.

However, most of the childcare centers are related to PCF – PAP community foundation where local citizen can enjoy lower fare and foreigner have to fork out more money each month. The difference can be  as large as 40%.

Typical PCF childcare centers charged around 600 one month for full day child care service while private childcare center can charge close to 2000 for full day childcare service. These premium childcare centers include MINDCHAMPS PRESCHOOL @ BEDOK PTE. LTD., MY LITTLE GEMS PRIVATE LIMITED.

But many private childcare centers still charge average rate of about 800 to 900 per month for full day childcare

Please refer to childcare centers in Bedok for more information on childcare in this area such as address, operating hour, service provided, fee and incidental charges.

Childcarecenters in Singapore

Pediatrician in Bukit Batok

Bukit Batok is in the West part of Singapore and is next to Jurong East and Choa Chu Kang. Overall facilities in this town is average as compared to other towns in Singapore. Soon there will be more healthcare facilities and transportation facilities being integrated into this area.

This town is also quite far away from city area where there are more healthcare facilities currently especially for children.

There are two pediatricians serving this area. Dr. Chuang Jee Leng of The Baby & Child Clinic and Dr. Lieu Ping Phun of Baby N' Kids Specialist Clinic are serving the children and parents in this area.

Dr. Chuang Jee Leng has 36 years of experience in the field and has the following qualification: MBBS , M Med (Paed). Very limited information can be found about the qualification and years of experience of Dr. Lieu Ping Phund.

If you are looking for Pediatrician in Bukit Batok or surrounding area. Please refer to Pediatrician in Bukit Batok for more information. You will be able to find map, address, contact number, qualification of all these pediatrician. 

Pediatrician in Singapore

Childcare in Punggol

Punggol is new town where a lot of house are built everyday. It is also a town where you can find a lot of young couple. This is why demand for childcare places is very high. Number of childcare vacancy for children has been an issue for young parents in this area for some time.

Many childcare centre or kindergartens are being built here and more are coming.

Currently, there are 20 childcare centres in this area to serve the children in punggol.

Unlike other area where there is a large number of PCF run childcare centre, there is none here.

There are 8 My First Skool childcare centres in this area in which six of them are considered as very new. My First Skool is also one of the largest childcare operator in Singapore.

Other childcare centres that has more than one branches include BRIGHT KIDS SCHOOL HOUSE PTE LTD and NOBLELAND ARTS N LEARNING PLACE.

Other childcare centres in this area include the following:  FAITH EDUCARE CENTRE, SKOOL4KIDZ CENTRE BUSY BEES SINGAPORE PTE LTD, CARPE DIEM CHILDCARE RESORT PTE. LTD., ECOKIDD CHILDCARE PRIVATE LIMITED.

Maybe it is a new town. Some branded childcare operator is not here, that is why the highest fee charged is slightly above 1000 by ECOKIDD CHILDCARE PRIVATE LIMITED while the rest charge about 800 for full day childcare service. 800 per month is considered average at a national level.

In other area, the highest fee can reach 2000 for full day childcare service.

$743.12 is the standard rate for childcare fee in My First Skool in all its branches.

You can refer to childcare in Punggol for more information about childcare centre in this area which include address, contact number, program offered, food served and mother tongue taught and operating hours.

Childcare in Singapore

Indonesian Maids in Singapore

In this year's budget, government makes it slightly cheaper to employ a maid - a must for many households in Singapore.

I always believe we should not choose maid based on nationality.

The new president in Indonesia was reported to say that he wants to stop "exporting" maids to other countries. In my opinion, this is probably hard to implement in the short term.

In Singapore, Filipino maids and Indonesian maids are popular domestic helpers in Singapore. It is usually cheaper to employ an Indonesian maid than a filipino maid.

Based on my observation, Indonesian is less picky in "selecting" employer. So you will probably find less transfer Indonesian maid as compared to transfer Filipino maids.

If you need to hire a maid and are interested in getting an Indonesian maid, you can refer to Indonesian maid for many choices.

Search For Maid

Baby Diaper in Singapore

Established brands of baby diaper in Singapore include Pampers, Huggies, Drypers, Mamypoko, Petpet and Merries. Many supermarkets like NTUC Fairprice also have their own brand of baby diaper.

In recent years, many trading company tries to import more brands of baby diaper to Singapore to give consumers more option. New brands include Goon, KCA,Moony.

It has been mentioned that a baby may need up to 6,000 diaper. This means that a parent needs to spend a few thousands dollar on baby diaper.

Price of baby diaper differ significantly. Those brands imported from Japan like Merries, Mamypoko are more expensive, those imported from Malaysia has been found to be cheaper, these include Drypers and Petpet.

We use Merries for our baby, it is expensive, but my wife finds it very soft, suitable for my children who has very sensitive skins.

We only buy when there is promotion, usually, the best we can get is about 20% discount. You can refer to Diaper Promotion Singapore for update on diaper promotion in Singapore

Baby or Infant Formula Milk Powder in Singapore

There are six major baby milk powder brands in Singapore - Abbott, Friso, Meadjohnson, Wyeth, Nestle and Dumex. All these are foreign brands in Singapore. 

Price of baby milk powder in Singapore is probably the highest in the world. In the past, this title used to be retained to China. After Chinese authority's legal action on foreign baby milk powder brands, price of baby milk powder has dropped quite signficantly.

In Singapore, price for a few brands of baby milk powder is inched up again and quietly. The manufacturers employ a indirect price increment technique in which they reduce the price of a can of baby milk powder, but also reduce the amount of the baby milk powder in a can. But overall, the price for 100g of baby milk powder is increased by around 5% to 10%. 

Babyment.com is website dedicated to help parents to save cost. Hence, they provide parents with information on the latest promotion of baby milk powder, Details can be found at Milk Powder Promotion in Singapore.

If you want to see all baby milk powder sold in Singapore, you can refer to Milk Powder Singapore to view all. 

Child care centres at Tampines

There are about 48 child care centres at Tampines, a mature town in the eastern part of Singapore.

5 such child care centres are managed by PCF, 4 by My First Skool, 3 by My World Preschool.

Other child care centres include THE ACORN CHILD CARE, THE SALVATION ARMY TAMPINES CHILD CARE CENTRE, KIDDY ARK CHILDCARE & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, LITTLE BEEZ PLAYSKOOL and ASPIRATION CHILD CARE CENTRE. 

School fee for MY WORLD PRESCHOOL is at $749 which is very close to those charged by My First Skool. PCF child care centres charge a fee of about $650 for Singapore citizen children. The fee is much higher for foreigner at $975.

School fee at VICTORIA MONTESSORI SCHOOLHOUSE is $1088 for full day child care, for BRIGHT JUNIORS is $984. THE LITTLE SKOOL-HOUSE INTERNATIONAL is $1284 for full day child care.

You can refer to child care centres at Tampines for more information on the child care centres in this area. 

Child Care Centre Singapore

Child care centres at Serangoon

There are 24 child care centres in Serangoon. 4 are My First Skool, 4 managed by PCF.

Other child care centres include AMAZING STAR MONTESSORI HOUSE, CHEN SU LAN METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME, LITTLE GREENHOUSE, BETHANY CHILD CARE CENTRE and ROSYTH CHILD CARE CENTRE.

Child care centres that charge more than $1000 for one month full day child care includes but no limit to MINDCHAMPS PRESCHOOL at $1765, BLOSSOM DISCOVERY CENTRE at $1150, BLOSSOM ASPIRATION CENTRE at $1150 and LITTLE FOOTIES at $1150. 

MY FIRST SKOOL, PCF managed child care centres, THE MORAL CHILDCARE CENTRE and CHEN SU LAN METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME (CHILD CARE DIVISION) are the few child care centres that charges less than $800 for one month full day child care. 

You can refer to child care centres at Serangoon for detailed fee and contact information of the child care centres in this are. 

Child care centre Singapore

Kindergartens in Bedok, Singapore

Bedok is a mature housing estate in Singapore. This probably explain why it has a relatively large number of kindergartens in this area. In total, there are 32 kindergartens in this area.

Out of the 32 kindergartens in this area, 13 are operated by the PCF(PAP community foundation). 

It is a bit surprise for me to see so many kindergartens in this area as Bedok is a relatively old housing area with a large number of elderly living there. This means that the population of small kids in this area should be small. 

As expected, the school fee per term charged by the kindergartens for different levels varies from kindergarten to kindergarten. The lowest charge is by the PCF kindergartens where the fee for a term is about less than 200. The highest fee charged is by some private kindergartens in which they charge fee as high as 500 for a term. 

Please refer to Kindergartens in Bedok for more information on address, school fee for kindergartens in Bedok

Coupon For Kids and Baby Products in Singapore

To view  group deals, or coupon for kids and baby product in Singapore, you can always visit babyment.com. 

It collects all the group deals from partner site which collect information directly from the major group deals site in Singapore.

To see all the group deal on kids and baby product, please visit baby product coupon.

Renew Philippine Maid Passport

Source: Renew Filipino Maid Passport

Steps in Renewing Filipino Maid Passport

Details of the step in renewing Filipino Maid Passport can be found in Philippine Embassy websitehttp://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/consular/passport/application-renewal/

Frequently Asked Questions about renewing Filipino maid passport can be found in the following links

http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/consular/passport/passport-services-faqs/

Processing Time

It will take about 8 weeks.

Cost of Renewing Passport

It is about $102.

Renew Passport Through Maid Agency

Because of the verified employment contract issue and the time consuming process involve, many employer opt to use maid agency to avoid the paperwork and queue.

Cost of renewing the passport through agency may be at about $400. Please check with your maid agency for details.

Please be noted also that your maid has to go down personally to the embassy to renew her passport even you engage a maid agency to help you.

Maids in Singapore

Interview a maid-Sample Questions

Source: Interview a maid-Sample Questions

Interviewing a maid is probably the most important step in selecting a good maid. Through the interview, you may be able to tell whether the maid can communicate with you using English, whether she has the right set of skills to work for you and whether she is motivated to work as a domestic helper. You can also find out some other information that will be crucial for you to make a decision.

Below are some sample questions. After each questions, we also try to provide the rational for the question.

Motivation Related Questions - Interview a Maid

• Why you want to work in Singapore? (Motivation related question)
• Why you want to transfer? (For transfer maid)
• Why you want to work as a domestic helper? (Motivation related)
• Do you need to remit money back home monthly? (If yes, it could mean she needs money and may therefore be more motivated and focused to work)
• Do you need to support your family financially? (same as point 4)

Skills and Experience - Interview a Maid

• What can you cook? Can you tell us how to prepare item 1? (for the items she mentions, pick one item and ask her to illustrate how to prepare that item)
• What could you do if you think my child need to be scolded and punished?

(A) FOR EXPERIENCED MAID

• What do you do in your previous employer's house? (To know her experience in details)
• How many people are there in your previous employer's house and who are they? (to check whether she has the skill to take care of baby or elderly)
• What will you do if my child crys non-stop and I am not around? (You can give her a few situations like this to answer. It can show whether she is really experienced in handling baby.)
• How to make baby sleep at night? (Same as point 3)

(B)FOR NEW MAID

• Do you need to do housework at home? (If she has never do any housework before, I do not think she is qualified to work as a domestic helper)
• Do you have children at home? (Whether she has taken care of children before)
• Do you like kid and are you willing to learn how to take care of kid? (This question is for single maid who probably may have zero experience in taking care of kid)

Her Job and Duty (Your House Conditions) - Interview a Maid

(It is good to let maid know what she can be expected. If she shows some unpleasant mood when you mention certain duty or job, better avoid that maid)

• I have one baby who is 4 months old and she will wake up once at midnight and you will need to feed her.
• Currently I have 5 people in the house and four months later, we are going to have one more kid. Will the duty be too heavy for you?
• I need you to wake up at six in the morning to prepare breakfast for my kid? Is 6am too early for you?

Concerns that maid may need to go back home before the expiration of contract

• Do you have sibling? Where are they? (Sometimes, if their parents fall sick and she is the only child, she may need to return home to take care of parents)
• Do you have boy friend, when do you plan to get married? (if within 2 years, then the maid may need to go back for marriage)
• What are you most concerned/worried about back home ?

Employee-Employer Relationship - Interview a Maid

Many maids run away because of poor communication with employer. It is good to have a maid that can tell you that she needs help or face problem. As a employer, you should try to help out whenever possible, this can avoid the lose-lose situation where the maid runs away and hide at some charities.

• What would you do if you are not happy with us?
• What do you expect from us?
• What would you do if you think you have too many things to handle?
• What is your definition of a good employer?
• Will you share with us any unhappiness or difficulty that you face?

Use of Hand phone - Interview a Maid

Usage of hand phone creates many conflicts in many maid-employer relationship and you better have an agreement with the maid on this before signing the deal)

• We understand you need to use the hand phone to communicate with family members, friends or others. When do you think is an appropriate time for you to use it? When do you think it is inappropriate for you to use?

Other General Questions - Interview a Maid

• Can you describe your daily work activity like what time you wake up and what you do?
• What do you think a good domestic helper should possess?
• What is your strength as a good domestic helper?
• For transfer maid, you may ask why she wants to leaves her current employer?

Miscellaneous Questions - Interview a Maid

• Do you practice any religion? (You need to know this so that you will know whether your maid needs to abstain from certain foods)
• Do you have any medical conditions? Do you take any medications?"(You will be responsible for all medical expense of your maid)

Maids in Singapore

Maids

Renew Passport For Indonesian Maid

Source: Renew Passport For Indonesian Maid

Documents and Photographs Required

(a) Original and Photocopy of following items are required

1. Maid's Passport

2. Work Permit Card

3. Employer's I.C.

4. Dully completed PERDIM 11 form, which can be downloaded here

(b) Photograph

2 recently taken passport-sized photograph are required. (It can be taken at the Embassy)

Renew Passport For Indonesia Maid - Processing Fees

$35, Payment By Cash Only. The fee must be paid by the employer, not by maid.

Contact Details of Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia in Singapore

No. 7 Chatsworth Road, Singapore 249761

Tel. (65) 6737 7422

Fax. (65) 6737 5037 / 6235 5783

Homepage: www.kbrisingapura.sg

Email:info@indonesianembassy.sg

Take Note of the Following in Renewing Indonesian Maid's Passport

1. The employer and the maid must go together to the embassy.

2. The renewal service is only available from 9am to 12 noon at the embassy.

3. Dress Code: When visiting the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore, please wear proper attire. You are not allowed to wear (a) Shorts and sleeveless shirt (except children under 12 years old). (b)Singlet or strapless top.(c)Sandals are also not allowed.

Passport Renewal Process

1. Arrive early at the embassy to avoid long queue.

2. Get a queue number from counter for passport renewal

3. maid to complete the passport renewal form

4. submit the document all altogether and make the payment of $35 by cash

5. after officer checked that all document are in order, you will be asked to do the work agreement.

6. interview by an officer, usually they will ask about maid's salary, number of days off and day off compensation if the maid is asked to work on off-day.

7. sign on the work agreement.

8. collect the new passport three days later

Maids in Singapore

Maids

Renew maid's work permit

Source: Renew Maid's Work Permit

Before you renew maid's work permit

Check the following before you renew your maid's work permit

1. You have received letter from MOM (Ministry of Manpowr) letter with renewal application form, MOM will usually send the letter one month before the expiration of your maid's current work permit.

2. Medical checkup of the maid is done not more than 5 months ago.

3. Maid's passport is valid for 7 months or more.

4. Negotiate with maid for salary and benefit for the next 2 years. If the duration of home leave is not stated in the contract signed before. You may also need to negotiate with the maid on the duration of home leave.

Steps in renewing maid's work permit

Step 1. Buy Personal Accident Insurance, Medical Insurance for maid and Security Bond

You can do this with many insurance companies such as NTUC Income, AXA, AIA, Great Eastern Life, MSIG.

Step 2. Using your SINGPASS Login to work permit online for employer at MOM website athttp://mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/work-permit-fdw/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx

Step 3: fill in all the necessary information requested and make the payment of $10.

Step 4: Check the status of the application on the next few days. If approved, note down the date when you can collect the work permit card.

Step 5: Collect the work permit card at MOM counter at the exact day mention in step 4.

Maids in Singapore

Maids

House Rules For Your Maid

Source: House Rules For Your Maid

General House Rules For Maids

1. Do not do any part-time job during your off-day. It is against the law in Singapore.

2. Do not lie to us.

3. Do not bring other people into the house.

4. Do not leave the house without our permission.

5. Do inform us when you go out during your off-day.

6. Be at home before 10pm during your off-day.

7. You can only use hand phone after baby fall asleep at night. Remember to switch your phone to silent mode so as not to wake up our baby.

8. If there is any misunderstanding or miscommunication, try to explain to us, but do not argue or shout.

9. Ask for permission before you enter master room.

10. If you make mistake, do let us know honestly.

11. If you need to use house phone, ask for our permission.

12. Try not to talk to men outside.

Employer- Maid Relationship

1. We will reward you for good performance.

2. Do share with us if you encounter any difficulty.

3. If you want to send money home, let us know and we will help you send the money back home.

4. Do not compare with other maids.

5. If there are too many things for you to handle, do let us know and we will work it out with you.

6. Do talk to us when you are not feeling well, we will take you to see doctor.

Housework Related Rules For Maids

1. Always exercise care when you are doing any housework.

2. Do not clean exterior of the window when you are alone. Only clean exterior of the window when Madam is at home to help you.

3. Try to remember our preference.

4. If there is anything you are unsure or do not know how to do, do not be afraid to ask us first.

5. if any of the groceries, household items in the house is about to finish, let us know so that we can buy it when we go to supermarket.

6. Do not leave knives, scissors, detergent or washing powder lying around or in a place that can be reached by children.

Laundry and Cooking Related Rule For Maids

1. Check clothes pocket before putting them into washing machine.

2. Do not dry clothes in the kitchen while you are cooking.

3. Wash all the clothes at night.

4. Wash hand before you touch the food.

5. separate raw meat, vegetable from cooked food.

6. Always keep the food clean and fresh.

Taking Care Of Baby

1. If you think our baby or child needs to be disciplined, let us know.

2. Do not hit children.

3. Do watch our baby closely when he plays at the playground.

4. Always hold our children's hand when cross the road.

5. Clean baby's toys every night after he falls asleep.

6. Do let us know when baby get hurt when you are taking care of him.

Others Rules For Maids

1. Dress properly when we go out together.

2. sleeveless, low cut tops and shorts are not allowed in the house.

Maids in SIngapore

Maids

How to Select a Maid

Source: How to Select a Maid

Introduction to Selecting a Maid

Selecting a maid is as important as selecting a maid agency. After all, maid will be the person that you are going to interact everyday if you do not change her. In this article, we hope to give you some suggestions on how to select a maid that can better meet your expectation. We also provide some questions that you can use during interview with the maid.

Select a Maid - What is your expectation?

A maid that matches your expectation is the best maid. Before you go to the employment agency or maid agency, you should ask yourself why you need the maid and list down your expectation of maid. Here is some questions to ask yourself?

1. How much can I afford? Filipino and Experienced Maid usually cost higher per month.

2. Do you need the maid to take care of your baby, your child or your parents?

If you need the maid to take care of baby, you may need a maid that has the experience of taking care of baby or a maid that is willing to learn to take good care of baby.

If your child is very active, then you should avoid employing those maids that may not be energetic enough to handle him or her. You know that, taking care of an active child is very tiring and your maid needs to be energetic enough to do the job.

If you need the maid to take care of baby, you also need the maid to have the necessary skills to handle your baby in case of emergency. So you should prepare to give a maid a few emergency scenarios to respond to you during the interview.

3. Do you have the patience to teach maid to do household chore? If not, you may need to employ an experienced maid that has settled in Singapore for some times.

4. Do you need the maid to be fluent in English? If yes, do watch out how maid communicate with you during the interview.

5. What are the house rules that you like your maid to follow? For example, you may think write down how you like your maid to use your home fixed phone line and maid's personal hand phone. Do think carefully what is acceptable to you and what is unacceptable to you and raise the question during interview.

Select a Maid - Nationality and Language

Some people I know prefer maids from Philippine out of the belief that Filipino maid speak better English. It may be true the Filipino maid in general speak better English, but Indonesian maids or maids from other countries can also speak good English. What is important for you is to prepare sufficient questions to ask her during interview and watch out how she reply you during the interview. Based on this, you can then really tell whether the maid can communicate well enough with you.

Select a Maid - Interview

Interview is very important, not only you can find out how well the maid can speak English, you can also find out how committed the maid is in the job as well as other matters that may be important to you.

Here are some sample questions you can ask your maid during interview?

General Questions

• Can you describe your daily work activity like what time you wake up and what you do?
• What do you think a good domestic helper should possess?
• What is your strength as a good domestic helper?
• For transfer maid, you may ask why she leaves her current employer?

Commitment

• Why do you want to work in Singapore?
• Do you need to support your family financially?
• Do you need to send back money monthly?

Usually, if the maids need the money, she may be more motivated than those whose family is relative rich.

Skill related questions

• Do you have kids at home?
• Do you like children?
• How do you handle a crying baby?
• If my baby fell down and hurt herself badly under your care. What could you do?
• What could you do if you think my child need to be scolded and punished?
• What dish can you cook?

Employer and Employee Relationship

• What would you do if you are not happy with us?
• What would you do if you think you have too many things to handle?
• What is your definition of a good employer?
• Will you share with us any unhappiness or difficulty that you face?

Other concerns you may have

1. The maid may need to go back within 2 year before contract expire.

• Do you have boy friend, when do you plan to get married? (if within 2 years, then the maid may need to go back for marriage)
• Do you have sibling at home? (if not, she may need to go back when her parents is sick)

2. Use of Hand phone (This create many conflicts in many maid-employer relationship and you better have an agreement with the maid on this before signing the deal)

• We understand you need to use the hand phone to communicate with family members, friends or others. When do you think is an appropriate time for you to use it? When do you think it is inappropriate for you to use?

Select a Maid - New or Experienced

Hiring an experienced maid may be a good choice as experienced maid have overcome home sickness and get used to life in Singapore. But of course, it is more costly to hire an experienced maid.

Some employers also report that the experienced maid are "smarter" and may be hard to manage as they know how to handle the boss.

New maid is usually cheaper, but you may need more time to train her to the job and she may need time to adapt to the life in Singapore.

Select a Maid - Employment History

If the maid has worked in Singapore before or is currently in Singapore, you can check her employment history through MOM website http://www.mom.gov.sg/services-forms/Pages/wp-online-fdw.aspx

To check the maid's employment history, you need to login to the system using your SINGPASS.

To check maid's employment history, you still need to have maid's Work permit number, or worker's foreign identification number or using maid's personal particular such as name, gender, date of birth, nationality.

Most of the maid agency will be able to show you the maid's employment history if you request for it.

What to check for employment history

1. Number of employer(s) that the maid has worked for and length of employment period with each employer?

If any of her employment periods can last more than 1 year, you may consider giving her an interview.

If all her employment period is short, then you may want to ask the maid personally or the maid agency why the employment is short and made sure the reason is able to convince you.

While employment history can give a rough idea of how good the maid is, we also need to bear in mind that the length of employment period is also affected by the maid's previous employers.

There are employers who are really abusive and do not treat maid like a human being. If you read the newspaper every day, you know this is not rare.

I also come across with a few employers who just need the maid for a few month as their parents or family member was sick. When their family members recover and are able to manage day to day activity, they then return the maid to agency.

Hope the above information can help you to find a good maid.

Maids in Singapore

How to Select a Maid Agency in Singapore

Source: How to Select Maid Agency in Singpore

Introduction to Maid Agency in Singapore

There are about 1000 maid agencies or employment agencies of different sizes in Singapore, offering different kinds of service package, charging an agent fee that may range from $0 to more than $1000, this makes selecting a good maid agency very difficult for many. In this article, we hope to offer readers some guides or tips on selecting a good maid agency.
It should be taken note that even the most established one or the most reputable or the one charged you the highest cannot guarantee you that you will get your ideal maid.

How to start finding a maid agency?

You may consider visiting the MOM website for a list of licensed maid agency. Employing a maid through unlicensed maid agency may get you into trouble. http://www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory/Pages/search.aspx
On this MOM website, you will be able to find a lot of maid agencies. You may first start visiting the maid agency that is located within your neighborhood. It is recommended that you visit 2 or 3 maid agencies before engaging one to help you in the end.

How to Evaluate a Maid Agency

Evaluate a Maid Agency 1: Demerit points

This information is provided by the Ministry of Manpower on the website listed above. Of course, you should visit those maid agencies that have the lowest demerit points.
Demerit points are issue to the maid agencies by the Ministry of Manpower when the maid agency infringes the Employment Agencies Act, Rules or Licensing Conditions. An agency which accumulates 12 or more demerits point will be placed on the MOM's surveillance list. You can visit the website listed above to find out more.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 2: Foreign domestic worker (FDW) retention success rate

This rate is a percentage of foreign domestic worker placed by the maid agency or employment for the period Mar 2010 to Mar 2012 and had stayed with the same employer for at least 365 days. The rate for each maid agency can be found on the MOM website. A higher rate is usually desirable.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 3: Foreign domestic worker transfer rate

This means the percentage of foreign domestic workers, within the past 12 months, have been placed the same employment to 3 or more employers out of the total number of foreign domestic worker it placed. The rate for each maid agency can be found on the MOM website.A lower rate is usually desirable.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 4: Free Replacement of maid

Can you exchange maid for free? Do go for maid agency that provide at least a few times of replacement of maid at zero cost.
Some agencies will also require you to use the maid for a minimum period of time before you can ask for a change.
But do take note that the Ministry of Manpower may make it hard for you to apply for work permit if you change maid too frequently. There are other disadvantages of changing maid, you can read management of maids for further details.
Make sure you read the written contract carefully regarding the replacement of maid!

Evaluate a Maid Agency 5. Agency Fee Vs Service Coverage

Agency fee should be reasonable, of course. But you should also look at the service coverage. Different maid agencies will offer kinds of service package, hence you cannot compare the maid agency by purely basing on agency fee.
You should check with maid agency whether the following services is included in the package and is there any additional charge for hiring the maid?

• Collect maid at airport for you
• Send maid for stipulated test and send maid to your house
• Send maid for medical examination and thumb print, photo-taking at the Ministry of Manpower
• Will the maid agency help you to apply the insurance and does the insurance fee included in the package? Does the insurance cover the security bond?
• Will the maid agency help you to register the employee orientation program and pay the fee on your behalf?

All these should be taken into consideration when you are comparing the agency fee.

Evaluate a Maid Agency 6. Written Contract

A proper written contract is important. It was reported online that some agencies does not provide any written contract.
Do not go for any maid agencies that do not have any proper written contact.
Furthermore, Before you sign the contract, do read every single line of statement to fully understand the terms and conditions. Do clarify with the maid agencies if you have other doubt, never assume.
When you are considering which maid agency to engage, you may ask maid agencies for copies of their written contracts for your own reference and easy for you to make comparison.

Read further about questions to ask maid agency

Maids in Singapore

Source: Maids in Singapore

Introduction to Maids in Singapore

It has been estimated that one in five households in Singapore has a maid, with some households having two maids for various reasons.

Cost of having a maid in Singapore

Monthly salary of maid is around $450 to $500 and the more experienced maids may request for even more.

Other than the monthly salary, you also need to pay foreign domestic worker levy on a monthly basis which can range from $120 to $265.

Other monthly costs of having a maid include expenditures on food, utility and toiletry.

When you hire maid for the first time, you also need to pay maid agency fee which can range from $1000 to $2000, depending on the service coverage. Other upfront costs include expenditure on insurance, medical examination, air tickets and fee for employer orientation program.

You can refer cost of hiring maid in Singapore for details.

Steps of Hiring a Maid through Maid Agencies in Singapore

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to hire a maid through maids agencies or employment agencies. You can refer to MOM website for a list of licensed maid agencies.

After selecting maid agencies, maid agency will provide bio-data of available maids to you and you will interview your choice maid through phone, webcam or face to face which will be arranged by the maid agency.

After selecting your desired maid, you will need to buy insurance for your choice maid, apply work permit for her and bring her for medical checkup. These are usually done by the maid agencies.

If you are hiring maid for the first time, you will be required to attend the employer orientation program conducted by the ministry of manpower.

Please click step hiring maid in Singapore for details

Maid Agencies in Singapore

There are about 1000 maid agencies or employment agencies in Singapore. You can get a list of them through the Ministry of Manpower websites for the licensed maid agencies or employment agencies.

MOM also track the credibility and service quality of the maid agency by introducing the demerit point, foreign domestic worker success retention rate and foreign domestic worker transfer rate.

You can read further here on how to select a maid agency in Singapore.

Hiring A Transfer Maid in Singapore

Hiring transfer maid offer some advantages such as saving money on air ticket and getting a more experienced maid.

You can click here on how to hire a transfer maid in Singapore to learn other advantages and how to do it.

Management of Maids in Singapore

Maid is just like another person that needs to be respected. A good management of maids will be beneficial to both parties.

Good management of maids require setting proper expectations, house rules and personal preference of you and your family and appropriate timetable and communicate these to your maid upon her arrival. Proper training of tools and appliance should also be provided to help maid to get used to new working environment easier and faster.

Click Management of Maids to learn how to manage your maid in details

Maid Related Problems in Singapore

Conflicts or problems can occur. In any situation, do not ever physically or verbally abuse your maid, doing so will get you into jail and fine.

Serious problem include maid get pregnant in which you have to send her back immediately else you will risk losing security deposit.

Other serious problem include maid running away or doing part time job during her off day.

For details, you can take a look on how to deal with maid related serious problems that may occur to your maid.