How to hire a nanny in the UAE: a step-by-step guide for families

Hiring a nanny is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. A clear process protects your children, your household and the person you hire. This guide walks through the steps most families follow, from writing down what you need to the first weeks of work.

1. Write down what you actually need

Before you look at a single profile, agree as a family on the basics:

• Ages of the children and any special needs (newborn care, allergies, school runs, homework help).
• Hours and days, including evenings, weekends and travel.
• Live-in or live-out. A live-in nanny needs a private room and agreed rest time; a live-out nanny needs reliable transport. See our guide to live-in vs live-out help.
• Household tasks. Be honest if you expect cooking, cleaning or laundry on top of childcare – that changes who is a good fit.
• Languages you want spoken with the children.

Turning this into a short job description makes every later step easier. On Nannest you can post a job and let helpers apply to you.

2. Shortlist profiles

When you browse nannies, compare profiles on the things that matter for your family: experience with the same age group, languages, availability and live-in or live-out preference. Read the "About me" section – it often tells you more than the headline.

Every profile on Nannest is reviewed by our team before it is published. Some helpers also choose to have a government-issued ID reviewed and carry an Identity Verified badge. That badge confirms identity only. It is not a background check and does not confirm work history or references, so the next steps still matter. Read more about what Identity Verified means.

3. First contact and a short call

Send a short, specific message: the children's ages, the hours, live-in or live-out and the start date. A quick phone or video call is a good filter before an in-person interview. Listen for how the candidate talks about children and previous families.

4. The interview

Meet in person if you can, ideally with the children present for part of the time. Ask open questions about real situations ("What would you do if…?") rather than yes/no questions. We have a list of interview questions for nannies and maids you can adapt.

5. Check references yourself

Ask for at least two previous employers you can call. Prepare a few questions, ask for specific examples and listen for hesitation. Our guide to checking references has a script.

6. Check documents and the rules that apply

Ask to see original identity documents and confirm the person's visa and sponsorship situation. The rules for employing a domestic worker in the UAE depend on that situation and can change, so check the current requirements with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or an authorised domestic worker service centre before making an offer. Never keep a worker's passport or identity documents – they belong to the worker.

7. Consider a paid trial day

A paid trial day shows you how the nanny works with your children in your home, and gives the candidate a fair picture of the job. See how to plan a trial day.

8. Agree terms in writing

Write down hours, rest time, days off, duties, salary, leave and notice period, and make sure the person has a copy in a language they understand. Clear terms prevent most misunderstandings later.

9. The first weeks

Plan a proper handover: routines, allergies, emergency numbers, house rules and how you prefer to communicate. Schedule a short check-in at the end of the first and fourth week so both sides can raise small issues early.

Nannest is a directory, not an agency. We review profiles and offer optional identity checks, but the hiring decision – and the checks above – are yours.