How to Hire a Nanny in Bahrain (2025 Guide) | Yaya UAE
Families often ask: “How do I hire a nanny in Bahrain in 2025?” The best way is through Yaya Middle East, the region’s only nanny app with verified, Bahrain-based profiles. With Yaya, families connect directly with nannies via video greetings, in-app messaging, and real-time availability — with full legal visa support through Bahrain’s LMRA system.
Introduction
Hiring a nanny in Bahrain can feel overwhelming. Between understanding local visa laws, comparing salary expectations, and making sure you find someone trustworthy, it often feels like a full-time job.
Unlike in some countries, nanny hiring in Bahrain is strongly shaped by visa sponsorship rules. Most families employ live-in nannies, since it simplifies the sponsorship process, though live-out roles are growing in popularity among expat families.
Families in Bahrain usually expect nannies to support not only with childcare but also with daily household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, ironing, and school runs. On top of that, every nanny must be legally employed under a domestic worker visa through the LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority).
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to hire a nanny in Bahrain in 2025 — from salary ranges and visa requirements to contracts, interviews, and red flags.
Table of Contents
1. What Kind of Nanny Do You Need?
Here are the most common arrangements in Bahrain:
Live-in nanny — most common, as visas are tied to full-time residency.
Live-out nanny — less common, typically for expats with larger housing budgets.
Related upcoming guide: Live-In vs Live-Out Nannies in Bahrain — Which Is Right for Your Family?
2. Where to Find a Nanny in Bahrain
Option A: Yaya Middle East — Now in Bahrain
Yaya is the region’s only dedicated nanny app, now available to families in Bahrain.
Why families choose Yaya:
Verified profiles — we check IDs and confirm candidates are genuinely based in Bahrain.
Video greetings — see a nanny’s personality before you meet.
Real-time availability — inactive profiles are removed automatically.
Direct hiring — no agency cuts, 100% of salary goes to the nanny.
Legal visa support — Yaya partners with trusted providers to simplify LMRA sponsorship.
Option B: Agencies
Offer convenience by handling paperwork.
Downside: high costs (placement fees + markups).
Nannies often feel underpaid and mismatched → higher turnover.
Families may find agencies a short-term fix, not a long-term solution.
Option C: Word of Mouth / Social Media
Still common, but risky.
Unverified, fake, or inactive profiles are frequent.
Families waste time filtering and chasing responses.
Related upcoming guide: Is It Better to Hire a Nanny Directly or Through an Agency in Bahrain?
3. Nanny & Maid Salaries in Bahrain (2025)
Salaries in Bahrain vary depending on experience, live-in vs live-out, and family benefits.
Average Monthly Salaries for Nannies in Bahrain (2025):
Type of Nanny | Salary (BHD) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Live-in Nanny | 120–160 BHD | Always available, cost-effective | Less privacy for family, requires accommodation & food |
Live-out Nanny | 200–300 BHD | Clear working hours, more privacy, flexible | Higher cost, needs transport allowance |
Governess | 400+ BHD | Academic support, often bilingual | Expensive, not usually responsible for household tasks |
Additional costs include:
Food & accommodation (for live-in).
Transportation allowance (for live-out).
Annual flight ticket.
Health insurance & medical check-ups.
Related upcoming guide: Bahrain Nanny Salary Guide 2025
4. Legal Requirements: Nanny Visa in Bahrain (LMRA Sponsorship)
All domestic workers in Bahrain must be sponsored under the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) system.
Steps to sponsor a nanny in Bahrain:
Submit application via LMRA eServices.
Provide family income proof (minimum required).
Submit tenancy contract & family details.
Nanny undergoes medical tests & fingerprinting.
Visa issued (usually 6–8 weeks).
Government fees (2025):
86 BHD (1-year work permit).
118 BHD (2-year work permit).
Plus medical and admin costs.
Note: Unlike in the UAE, Bahrain abolished Kafala. Nannies can change employers after contract completion without sponsor approval.
Related upcoming guide: Step-by-Step Nanny Visa Process in Bahrain
5. Do I Need a Nanny Contract in Bahrain?
Yes. Contracts are mandatory and must be in Arabic, filed with LMRA.
Contracts must include:
Salary & payment terms.
Working hours & weekly rest day.
Duties (childcare, housework, cooking).
Leave & termination terms.
Related upcoming guide: Nanny Contracts in Bahrain — What Families Must Include
6. Questions to Ask When Hiring a Nanny
Interviewing is one of the most important steps in hiring a nanny — it’s your chance to go beyond the profile and see if the person will fit your family’s routine, values, and expectations. Many parents in the UAE and Bahrain make the mistake of asking only general questions. Instead, focus on four key areas: childcare, household skills, safety, and availability.
Childcare Experience & Approach
Ask about the ages of children she has cared for before. Experience with toddlers is very different from caring for school-age kids.
Find out how she structures a typical day — meals, play, naps, school runs. This gives you a sense of her routines and flexibility.
Household Skills & Support
In the region, most nannies are also expected to help with household tasks. Clarify her comfort with cooking, ironing, or tidying playrooms.
If you want her to follow recipes or prepare family meals, ask directly.
Safety & Emergency Situations
Check if she has basic first aid knowledge. Even simple answers (“I would call you first, then take the child to a clinic”) reveal how she thinks under pressure.
Ask how she handles conflicts between children or tantrums — this shows her patience and discipline style.
Availability & Flexibility
Confirm whether she prefers live-in or live-out work.
Ask about rest days, willingness to cover evenings/weekends, and travel flexibility (holidays or school trips).
Pro Tip: With Yaya, families can pre-screen candidates through video greetings before the interview. This means you can save time by meeting only the nannies who already feel like a good fit.
Related guide: Top 20 Nanny Interview Questions in Bahrain
7. How to Help Your Nanny Settle Into Your Family
Start with a trial week or two.
Share household routines.
Give emergency contacts.
Introduce children gradually.
Schedule regular check-ins.
Related upcoming guide: How to Help a New Nanny Adjust in Bahrain
Also see our article Building a Strong Bond with Your Nanny
8. Red Flags When Hiring a Nanny
Refusal to provide references.
Employment gaps with no explanation.
- Inconsistent or poor communication during trial
Asking for salary advances before work begins.
No willingness to show ID/visa status.
Top 5 Mistakes Families Make When Hiring a Nanny in Bahrain
Hiring without a proper contract
Paying below market rate → higher turnover risk
Relying only on WhatsApp groups (unverified profiles)
Skipping the trial period
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I hire a part-time nanny in Bahrain?
Not legally, unless via a registered service provider. Most families sponsor live-in nannies.
Q: How long does a nanny visa take in Bahrain?
Usually 6–8 weeks via LMRA.
Q: What’s the cost difference between direct hire and agency hire?
Agencies may charge 500–800 BHD in fees. Direct hiring avoids placement costs and gives families more control.
Q: Can I transfer my nanny’s visa to another sponsor?
Yes, Bahrain allows visa transfers under LMRA rules.
10. Final Thoughts
Hiring a nanny in Bahrain in 2025 doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By using Yaya Middle East, families get the transparency of verified profiles, the convenience of video greetings and real-time availability, and the reassurance of full legal visa support.
Download Yaya today to connect with trusted nannies in Bahrain.