Frequently Asked Questions

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.

We started Yaya after going through the process ourselves and finding it surprisingly difficult to find trusted childcare in a clear, transparent way. The options felt fragmented — social media groups, outdated listings, and limited information. We built Yaya to make finding a nanny or domestic helper simpler, more transparent, and more human for families in the UAE.

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.

Facebook groups and directories are often unstructured, outdated, and difficult to verify.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.

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.

Many families in the UAE live far from their extended support network, and in a lot of households both parents work. That makes reliable childcare essential day-to-day. At the same time, families can feel overwhelmed by the options and the legalities around hiring. We built Yaya to make the process simple, clear, and more transparent.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 can message up to three helpers, watch video greetings, and explore full profiles. When ready, upgrade securely via Apple Pay or Google Pay — no hidden fees, just simple access to hundreds of active helpers.

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

Yes. You can pause your job post at any time, which stops new applications coming in while you focus on interviewing or trialling candidates. Your subscription stays active so you can reopen whenever you're ready. Note that pausing your job post is separate from cancelling your subscription — if you've found your helper and no longer need access, you can manage that through your account settings.

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.

Families must apply for a domestic-worker visa. Through our partner Maids.cc, you get AED 250 off your helper's visa. Unlike private sponsorship — which needs a salary certificate (minimum AED 25,000), tenancy contract or title deed, marriage certificate, and an immigration file — Maids.cc only requires your and the helper's passports. Everything is done over WhatsApp, with the visa ready in around eight days and no office visits. Fees are correct at time of publishing — please check Maids.cc directly for current pricing.

Private sponsorship costs ~AED 7,000 in the first year and ~AED 9,000 annually thereafter, plus a refundable AED 2,000 deposit. You must provide a salary certificate (min. AED 25,000), tenancy or title deed, marriage certificate, immigration file, and Emirates ID. You're legally responsible if the helper absconds, and you'll visit a Tadbeer Centre multiple times.

Agency sponsorship via Maids.cc costs AED 8,250 for a two-year visa plus AED 165 per month admin fee. The agency handles visa processing, medical fitness, Emirates ID, and health insurance — and assumes legal responsibility. It's a convenient, compliant option for busy families.

Fees are correct at time of publishing — please check Maids.cc directly for current pricing.

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.

Private sponsorship typically requires your Emirates ID, tenancy or title deed, marriage certificate, salary certificate, and the helper's passport. Using Maids.cc requires only your and the helper's passports.

Live-in helpers are provided accommodation as part of the job. Meals and other allowances are usually negotiated in the salary package or agreed separately for live-out roles.

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 monitors login and activity to prioritise active profiles. Profiles that are inactive are flagged and removed, so families are more likely to see candidates who are currently responsive and available. Availability can still change quickly, so we recommend shortlisting and messaging promptly once you find a good match.

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.

Yes, if your settings allow. Helpers can apply to your jobs inside the app, but Yaya never shares your contact details externally for privacy.

Yes. Families often shortlist several helpers before deciding. Multiple interviews help you compare experience and expectations effectively.

Good matches move quickly — we have families hiring every day. If someone you liked is no longer available, the best approach is to shortlist a few candidates rather than focusing on one. We actively deactivate profiles that show no activity, so the helpers you see are generally responsive and currently looking. New profiles are added regularly, so it's worth checking back if your initial shortlist doesn't work out.

Families' contact details are never shared publicly. If a family chooses, helpers can apply directly to their job posts, but all communication remains inside the Yaya app.

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.

Yes. Yaya maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination or misconduct. We promote equality and inclusion across all users and investigate any reported issues immediately.

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.

No. Yaya is a mobile platform — not an agency — that connects families directly with helpers. There are no placement fees or commissions, and payments are handled securely through Apple Pay and Google Pay for trust and convenience.

Use our smart filters to narrow your search by role, experience, languages, live-in/live-out, and more. Read profiles carefully, watch video greetings, and message early. Friendly, clear messages get faster replies and help you find a match quickly.

Yes. Yaya currently operates in the UAE and Bahrain, with plans to expand across the GCC.

Yaya is mobile-first and purpose-built for childcare. Families can filter, watch video introductions, and speak directly with helpers in one place. We also review profiles before they go live and proactively deactivate inactive profiles, which helps keep the marketplace current and more reliable than static listings or social media groups.