How it Works.​

Yaya is a mobile-first marketplace app that connects families directly with live-in and live-out nannies and domestic helpers. Families can browse profiles, watch video introductions, and message candidates through the app to arrange interviews and trials. Once you've chosen the right person, you agree salary and terms directly with the helper and ensure the employment arrangement is compliant with UAE regulations.

Agencies typically act as intermediaries and manage placements. Yaya is a marketplace platform that connects families directly with independent nannies and domestic helpers, so families can communicate with candidates themselves and choose the right fit for their home. Agencies can be helpful for short-term or time-sensitive needs, while Yaya is designed to make direct hiring more transparent and straightforward for families.

No. Yaya is a marketplace platform, not an agency and not an employer. We connect families with independent caregivers, and families make their own hiring decisions and agree terms directly with the helper in line with UAE regulations.

Facebook groups and directories are often unstructured, outdated, and difficult to verify. Yaya is purpose-built for childcare and runs as a mobile app, so families can filter, compare, and contact candidates in one place. We also monitor platform activity to keep profiles current, and every profile goes through a review process before it becomes visible.

Start by deciding what matters most in your home: is the priority childcare, household duties, or a blend of both. Then interview properly and, where possible, do a short paid trial. References matter too — speak to previous employers directly, and ask about the day-to-day routine. Many families also find it helps to hire someone who has worked with families with similar expectations and household routines. Finally, be very clear from day one about working hours, duties, and house rules — the best long-term arrangements are built on communication and clarity.

A nanny's focus is the children — childcare, school runs, activities, meals for the kids. A nanny/maid takes on a broader role combining childcare with general household duties like cleaning, laundry, and cooking for the whole family. In practice, many families in the UAE need a blend of both, which is why nanny/maid is one of the most commonly searched roles on Yaya. Being clear about what you actually need before you start searching saves a lot of time — and avoids mismatched expectations once someone is in your home.

It happens, and it's more common than people expect — especially in the first few weeks. The best protection is treating the initial period as an extended interview. A paid trial before committing to a full arrangement gives both sides a real chance to see if the dynamic works in practice, not just on paper. If it doesn't work out, families can return to the platform and start a new search at any time. If your subscription is still active, you can reopen your job post immediately.

It depends more on the family than the platform. Families who respond to candidates quickly, schedule interviews promptly, and set up a paid trial without delay can move through the search phase in a matter of days. Others take a few weeks, which is completely normal — finding the right person for your home deserves the time it needs. On top of the search itself, visa and sponsorship processing typically adds one to two weeks. If you're working to a specific start date, build in more time than you think you need.

Yaya is completely free to browse. Families can message up to three helpers at no cost during their free trial. After that, you can continue with a weekly, monthly, or two-month plan. All payments go toward your subscription — helpers never pay Yaya.

You pay Yaya only for your subscription. Salary and benefits are agreed directly between you and the helper, ensuring full transparency and fairness.

No. Yaya is not an agency and doesn't sponsor helpers directly. Under UAE law, families must sponsor domestic workers. Our partner Maids.cc can handle sponsorship on your behalf.

No. It's not permitted under UAE law. Yaya strongly recommends moving helpers on "own-visa" arrangements onto either your private sponsorship or an agency sponsorship to comply with government regulations.

Yes, but it needs to be handled correctly and respectfully. The first step is speaking directly with the current family to confirm they are happy for the helper to move on and willing to cancel her existing sponsorship so it can be transferred to you. Without that agreement, the process cannot move forward legally. It's worth having that conversation early — before you get too far into interviews or trials — so everyone's expectations are clear from the start.

Strongly recommended, even if it feels overly formal. A simple written agreement covering salary, working hours, duties, days off, notice period, and accommodation terms protects both sides and prevents the misunderstandings that cause most arrangements to break down. UAE domestic worker regulations set minimum entitlements, but a contract lets you make the specific terms of your arrangement explicit and agreed upfront. Most families find it works best to frame it as a shared reference point rather than a legal document — something you both sign so there are no surprises on either side.

Every profile is reviewed before it becomes visible on Yaya. We verify key identity information, review experience details provided by the helper, and encourage video introductions. Helpers can also include references from previous employers, and we make it easy for families to contact those references directly before making a hiring decision. We also use a combination of human review, technology checks, and ongoing activity monitoring to keep profiles genuine and current. That said, we always recommend families interview thoroughly and speak to references themselves — no platform replaces that step.

Yaya lists nannies, nanny/maids, nanny/caregivers, maids, cooks, and drivers. We also feature specialists for prenatal, postnatal, wellness, and child-development support.

Helpers typically list expected salaries between AED 2,000 and 5,000 per month depending on role and experience. Payments go directly to the helper; Yaya takes no commission.

You can message helpers securely through the Yaya app, reach out via WhatsApp, or call directly. Many helpers are working during the day so responses might take a little time — messaging early and keeping your introduction friendly and clear tends to get faster replies.

Many helpers include references from previous employers on their profile. We make it straightforward for families to reach out to those references directly — and we'd always encourage you to do so before hiring. A quick conversation with a previous employer tells you more than any profile can.

As part of the UAE visa process, all helpers are required to pass mandatory government medical tests — including infectious disease screening and general fitness checks — before their visa is issued. This is a legal requirement, not something families need to arrange separately.