Full-Time vs Part-Time Maid in Singapore: Which One Is Right for You?

In 2024, Channel NewsAsia shared the story of Madam Tan, a working mother of two in Tampines. She works in healthcare, does night shifts and also takes care of her elderly father. In one interview she said, “Some days, I was so tired that I didn’t even have time to talk to my kids.”

Over the past few years while researching domestic helper trends and speaking with local agencies and employers, stories like hers have come up again and again. Many families love their home life but quietly struggle to manage everything alone.

After months of pressure, Madam Tan decided to look for help. That is when she faced a common question many Singapore families ask.

Should I hire a full-time maid or a part-time helper?

If you are planning to hire a maid in Singapore this guide will help you understand the differences and choose what fits your lifestyle, budget, and family needs.

Why More Families Are Hiring Domestic Help

Life in Singapore moves quickly. Many households have two working adults, young children and elderly parents who need daily support. Long working hours and rising responsibilities make it difficult to manage everything alone.

Based on data from the Ministry of Manpower and insights shared by several major maid agencies, demand for domestic helpers has continued to grow steadily since the pandemic.

According to MOM, there were more than 250,000 foreign domestic workers in Singapore in 2024. This reflects how deeply domestic help is now part of modern family life.

However, not every household needs the same level of support. Some families need help all day, while others only need cleaning once or twice a week.

Understanding What a Full-Time Maid Does

A full-time maid also known as a live-in foreign domestic worker, stays in your home and works daily. She usually helps with cooking, cleaning, childcare and eldercare. She is available early in the morning, during the day and often in the evening.

In discussions with employers and placement consultants, many shared that the biggest advantage of a full-time helper is consistency. Over time, the helper understands the family’s routine, habits and preferences.

Most full-time helpers in Singapore come from Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar or India and follow MOM regulations on rest days and working conditions.

Because they live with the family, many employers gradually see them as trusted members of the household.

Understanding What a Part-Time Maid Does

A part-time maid does not live with you. She comes to your home for a few hours on scheduled days, usually once to three times a week. Her main focus is cleaning, tidying, washing, ironing and sometimes basic kitchen work.

From feedback shared by homeowners and cleaning service providers, part-time services are especially popular among young couples and smaller households.

Most part-time helpers work through licensed companies that handle salaries, insurance, and training. This makes the process simple and low-risk for employers.

You book, pay and receive the service.

Comparing the Costs in Singapore

Cost is often the first concern for most families.

Based on agency price lists and MOM guidelines, a full-time maid usually costs between SGD 800 and SGD 1,300 per month. This includes salary, levy, insurance, medical fees and daily living expenses.

A part-time maid usually charges between SGD 25 and SGD 35 per hour. With two weekly visits, the monthly cost often ranges from SGD 800 to SGD 1,100.

From years of market observation, one key pattern stands out. Families who need daily support often find full-time help more cost-effective in the long run, even if the upfront cost feels higher.

Daily Support and Availability

A full-time maid provides continuous support throughout the day. She can prepare meals, send children to school, care for elderly parents and assist in the evening. If emergencies happen, help is immediately available.

Several employers interviewed in local forums and parenting groups have mentioned that this peace of mind is one of the biggest reasons they choose full-time helpers.

A part-time maid, on the other hand, works within fixed hours. She focuses on completing agreed tasks efficiently. While reliable, her support is limited to scheduled visits.

Space, Comfort, and Privacy

Living space is an important issue in many Singapore homes.

From practical experience shared by HDB residents, space limitations are one of the main reasons families hesitate to hire live-in helpers.

A full-time maid needs a sleeping area which requires careful planning in smaller flats. Families must also adjust to sharing daily life with another person.

With part-time services, privacy remains unchanged. This option suits homeowners who value personal space and independence.

Childcare and Eldercare Considerations

For families with young children, full-time helpers are often the preferred option especially when both parents work long hours. Many parents have shared that having someone reliable at home reduces daily stress significantly.

For eldercare, full-time support is usually essential. According to the Agency for Integrated Care, Singapore’s ageing population has increased demand for home-based caregivers.

Professionals in eldercare services often recommend live-in helpers for seniors who need constant supervision or assistance.

Flexibility and Daily Management

A full-time maid allows you to adjust tasks daily. Over time, she becomes familiar with your lifestyle, routines and expectations.

However, managing a helper also requires responsibility. Many first-time employers spend hours of research reading MOM rules and agency policies before hiring.

With part-time help, management is simpler. The service provider handles training, replacements and administration.

Trust and Emotional Connection

One pattern frequently seen among long-term employers is the strong emotional bond that develops with full-time helpers. They become familiar faces in children’s lives and trusted caregivers for elderly parents.

This level of trust is difficult to build with part-time services, where interactions are shorter and more professional.

Both approaches are valid. It depends on what your family values more.

Recent Trends in Maid Hiring

Industry reports and agency data show rising demand for transfer maids, professionally trained caregivers, and online comparison platforms.

More families now prefer to review profiles digitally before making decisions. This shift reflects a more informed and careful hiring process.

Platforms such as SearchMaid have grown because they support this research-based approach.

A Real Family Experience

Mr and Mrs Lim live in Bukit Batok and both work in logistics. They started with part-time cleaning in 2022. It worked well for basic chores.

However, after Mrs Lim’s mother needed daily care, they switched to a full-time helper in 2024.

After several months, Mr Lim shared online that the change improved their family’s routine and reduced emotional stress.

This reflects what many families experience. Needs evolve, and the right choice can change over time.

How to Decide What Is Right for You

From working closely with employer feedback and agency consultations, the most successful hiring decisions usually start with honest self-assessment.

Think about who needs help, how many hours of support are required, whether you have enough space and whether you are ready to handle paperwork.

Writing these down often makes the decision clearer. To make this process easier, I’ve put together a simple decision checklist that helps you organise your needs before hiring. You can go through it step by step using this home helper decision checklist.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home in Singapore

Choosing between a full-time and part-time helper is not about following trends. It is about understanding your family’s real needs.

A full-time maid offers stability, emotional connection and long-term support. A part-time maid offers flexibility, privacy and convenience. Both options serve different lifestyles.

If you are planning to hire a maid in Singapore, take time to compare services, understand regulations and rely on proper research and verified sources. A thoughtful decision today can make your home calmer, safer and happier for years to come.