Field notes from the Shanghai advisory desk.
Salary bands. Contract clauses. Visa realities. The questions Western recruiters never think to ask. New essays added on a regular cadence — the most-requested topics are anchored at the top.
Ayi vs Nanny vs Housekeeper vs Yuesao — The Shanghai Glossary
Plain-English breakdown of ayi vs nanny vs housekeeper vs yuesao vs governess in Shanghai. Who does what, who costs what, and which role fits which family.
learnShanghai Nanny Salary Bands 2026
2026 Shanghai nanny salary bands by role, experience, neighborhood and language ability. Live-in vs live-out delta, hourly rates, and what the all-in cost actually is.
learnVisa & Legal Reality — Hiring a Nanny in Shanghai
What's legal and what's not in Shanghai nanny employment — Z-visa rules, working spouse permissions, household-worker grey area, and how families typically structure it.
learnThe Hiring Process — From Search to Start Date
Step-by-step Shanghai nanny hiring process for expat families. Search, shortlist, interview, trial day, reference check, contract, start date — realistic timeline and pitfalls.
learn8 Clauses Every Shanghai Nanny Contract Needs
Eight essential clauses for any Shanghai expat-family nanny contract — salary, hours, rest days, sick leave, holiday pay, termination, confidentiality, and bonus structure.
learnBackground Checks for Shanghai Nannies — A Realistic Guide
What background-check options actually work for Shanghai nannies — ID verification, prior-employer references, hukou check, police certificate reality, and credential validation.
learnSalary, Benefits & Social Insurance (五险一金) — The Employer Side
What the employer side of a Shanghai nanny salary actually costs — base salary, food, room, bonuses, and the 五险一金 social-insurance reality for household employment.
learnNeighborhood Living Guide — How Where You Live Shapes the Placement
Where Shanghai expat families live and how that shapes nanny placement — Former French Concession, Jing'an, Pudong, Hongqiao, Minhang, and Xintiandi compared.
learnCommunication & Culture — Setting Expectations Across the Gap
Practical scripts and norms for setting expectations with a Shanghai nanny across language and culture differences — discipline, food, screen time, and family privacy.
learnFiring & Transition — Ending the Contract Correctly
How to end a Shanghai nanny or ayi contract correctly — notice, severance, exit interview, transition handoff to a replacement, and saving the relationship where possible.
learnShanghai Ayi Hourly Rate 2026 — Real Numbers by Task
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai ayi hourly rate for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnEnglish-Speaking Nanny Shanghai Cost — What You Actually Pay
Practical 2026 guidance on english speaking nanny shanghai cost for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnHow Much to Tip Your Shanghai Nanny at Chinese New Year
Practical 2026 guidance on tip shanghai nanny chinese new year for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShanghai Nanny Bonus — Is the 13th-Month Salary Standard?
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny 13th month bonus for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnRed-Envelope Norms — When and How Much to Give Your Ayi
Practical 2026 guidance on red envelope shanghai nanny for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnAll-In Cost of a Live-In Nanny in Shanghai — A Worksheet
Practical 2026 guidance on all in cost live in nanny shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShanghai Nanny Cost vs Singapore vs Hong Kong
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny cost vs singapore for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnWhat Does 月嫂 (Yuesao) Mean? How It Differs from an Ayi
Practical 2026 guidance on what does yuesao mean for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShanghai Newborn Nanny vs Night Nurse — Which Do You Need?
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai newborn nanny vs night nurse for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnYuesao Credentials Explained — Which Certifications Actually Matter
Practical 2026 guidance on yuesao credentials for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnHow Long Should a Yuesao Stay — 30, 60, or 90 Days?
Practical 2026 guidance on how long should yuesao stay for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnSitting the Month (坐月子) — What Yuesao Handle and What They Don't
Practical 2026 guidance on zuoyuezi explained for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnTransitioning from Yuesao to Ongoing Ayi — A Practical Guide
Practical 2026 guidance on yuesao to ayi transition for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnWhat to Ask in a Shanghai Nanny Interview — 30 Questions
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny interview questions for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnHow to Structure a Paid Trial Day With a Shanghai Nanny
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny trial day for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnFinding a Shanghai Nanny via WeChat Groups — The Honest Take
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny wechat group for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnReference-Check Script for a Shanghai Nanny — Word-for-Word
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny reference check for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnHow to Find a Mandarin-Speaking Nanny Who Also Speaks English
Practical 2026 guidance on mandarin english speaking nanny shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnHiring Your First Nanny as an Expat Family Newly Arrived in Shanghai
Practical 2026 guidance on first nanny shanghai expat for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShould a Shanghai Nanny Contract Be in Chinese or English?
Practical 2026 guidance on nanny contract chinese or english for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnProbation Period for a Shanghai Nanny — How Long, What Terms
Practical 2026 guidance on probation period shanghai nanny for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShanghai Nanny Rest Days — What's Standard for Live-In and Live-Out
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny rest days for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShanghai Nanny Holidays — Golden Week, Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny holidays for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnSick Leave for a Shanghai Nanny — What's Standard and What's Fair
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny sick leave for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnNon-Disclosure & Privacy Clause for a China Nanny Contract
Practical 2026 guidance on nanny nda china for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnDo You Provide Meals for a Live-In Nanny in Shanghai?
Practical 2026 guidance on provide meals live in nanny shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnLive-In Nanny Bedroom Requirements — What's Reasonable
Practical 2026 guidance on live in nanny bedroom shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShould a Shanghai Live-In Nanny Wear a Uniform?
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny uniform for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnLive-In Nanny Personal Phone Time — Setting a Boundary
Practical 2026 guidance on shanghai nanny phone use for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnBilingual Nanny Accent Concerns — Real or Overblown?
Practical 2026 guidance on bilingual nanny accent for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnMandarin-Immersion Daily Routine — What 12 Hours Looks Like
Practical 2026 guidance on mandarin immersion routine for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnEnglish Creep — How to Prevent It in a Bilingual Shanghai Household
Practical 2026 guidance on english creep bilingual household for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnMandarin Character Literacy for Young Expat Children
Practical 2026 guidance on mandarin literacy expat kids shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnShould the Nanny Do a Health Check Before Starting?
Practical 2026 guidance on nanny health check shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnCPR & First-Aid Certified Nanny in Shanghai — Why It Matters
Practical 2026 guidance on cpr first aid nanny shanghai for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnHow to Verify a Yuesao's Credentials in Shanghai
Practical 2026 guidance on verify yuesao credentials for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learn10 Red Flags to Watch for in a Shanghai Nanny Interview
Practical 2026 guidance on red flags shanghai nanny for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnPudong International-School Pickup Ayi — Logistics That Work
Practical 2026 guidance on pudong school pickup ayi for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnFFC Lane-House Nanny Considerations — Space, Stairs, Neighbours
Practical 2026 guidance on ffc lane house nanny for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
learnMinhang International-School Belt — Ayi Supply Reality
Practical 2026 guidance on minhang international school ayi for Shanghai expat families — what's typical, what's negotiable, and how to handle it in your contract and onboarding.
Talk to us about your family's needs
Twenty minutes on a call is usually enough to map out the salary band, neighborhood, and timeline. No upfront fee.