Hire a Nanny in Shanghai Without Flying Blind

No. We are an independent advisory and placement-broker resource. Licensed staffing agencies in Shanghai handle candidate sourcing, identity verification, and replacement guarantees — we curate which of those agencies we work with, audit their methods quarterly, and represent the family side of the placement. The distinction matters legally and practically; the [about page](/about/) explains it in full.

Honest answer: most Shanghai ayi speak kitchen-level English at best. For a Tier 3 nanny with functional English (full sentences, can handle a doctor's appointment with prep), expect `¥ 10,000–15,000/month` all-in with `3–5` years of expat-family experience. True bilingual or native-level English (Tier 4) carries a `30–50%` premium on top. Live-out is `¥ 1,000–3,000/month` cheaper than live-in for the equivalent profile. Full breakdown: [Salary Bands 2026](/learn/shanghai-nanny-salary-bands-2026/).

Yes. Newborn placements are handled through the [yuesao & night-nurse pillar](/services/newborn-yuesao-night-nurse/). Standard contracts are `30`, `60`, or `90` days, with a planned transition to an ongoing ayi at month four. We help structure both ends — the yuesao selection and the handoff — so families don't end up with a gap or an overlap they didn't budget for.

Technically yes. Practically, direct hire works well for families on their second or third placement who already know what they want and have local references. For first-time placements we recommend going through a vetted partner agency for at least the identity and reference-check layer. The agency vs direct trade-off is covered in the [hiring process guide](/about/).