How to Choose the Right Nanny in Thailand

Choosing a nanny in a foreign country feels enormous — and it should. This is your most precious responsibility. Here's how to do it right.

Start with Licensing

In Thailand, professional nanny agencies must be registered as commercial entities and the nannies themselves should hold certification from the Ministry of Labor. Ask for:

• The agency's registration number
• Each nanny's certification number
• Proof of recent criminal background check (within 6 months)
• Proof of recent health certificate

If an agency hesitates to share any of these, walk away. A legitimate agency will be proud to show them.

Questions Every Parent Must Ask

About the agency

1. How long have you been operating?
2. How many nannies do you have in your team?
3. Are they employees or freelancers?
4. What's your nanny retention rate?
5. Who replaces a nanny if there's an emergency?

About the specific nanny

1. How long have they worked with you?
2. What's their experience with my child's age range?
3. Do they speak English fluently? (Ask for a video call to verify)
4. What are their specialties — swimming, art, music?
5. Are they comfortable with our family's diet, allergies, religious practices?

Red Flags to Run From

• Cash only, no contract. Always insist on a written agreement.
• No background checks. Even casually.
• Pressure to pay before meeting. A real agency lets you meet first.
• Vague pricing. Hourly, daily, weekly rates should be crystal clear.
• No insurance. The nanny and agency must have professional liability coverage.

The Personal Element

Beyond the credentials, trust your gut. After 10 minutes of video chat, you'll know if this person will love your child. Look for:

• Eye contact (with you and with your child, if they're on the call)
• Curiosity about your child's personality
• Stories about previous children they've cared for
• Questions about routines, comfort objects, fears
• Warmth in their face when they talk about their work

How We Do It at Wonder Place

I personally interview every single nanny in our team. They train with me for 2 weeks before meeting their first family. I know every one of them by name, by story, by the dishes they cook for their own kids. When you book a nanny with us, you're not booking a contractor — you're booking someone I trust with my own children.