Hiring Your First Yaya: A Complete Guide for Filipino Families
Everything you need to know about finding, interviewing, and hiring a trustworthy yaya for your family in the Philippines.
Founder, Helpers
Hiring a yaya is one of the most important decisions a Filipino family can make. Whether you're a first-time parent or transitioning from informal arrangements to a professional setup, this guide walks you through the entire process.
Why hire through a platform?
Word-of-mouth referrals have been the traditional way Filipino families find yayas. While personal recommendations are valuable, they come with limitations: a small talent pool, no verified backgrounds, and awkward conversations about pay.
A platform like Helpers gives you access to a wider pool of verified candidates, transparent pricing, and a structured hiring process.
What to look for in a yaya
Experience and skills
Not all childcare experience is the same. Consider what matters most for your family:
- Infant care — newborn handling, feeding schedules, sleep training
- Toddler care — meal prep, activity planning, potty training
- School-age support — homework help, school runs, extracurriculars
- Special needs — specific training or certifications
Character and compatibility
Skills can be taught, but character is harder to change. During interviews, pay attention to:
- How they talk about previous families (respect and discretion matter)
- Their approach to discipline and boundaries
- Communication style — do they ask questions or just agree?
- Punctuality and reliability signals
The interview process
Step 1: Screen profiles
Review helper profiles on Helpers, focusing on experience, availability, and location. Shortlist 3-5 candidates.
Step 2: Initial video call
A 15-minute video call saves everyone time. Cover:
- Their experience with children of similar ages
- Availability and schedule flexibility
- Salary expectations
- Distance from your home
Step 3: In-person trial
Invite your top 1-2 candidates for a paid trial day. Watch how they interact with your children naturally — this tells you more than any interview question.
Setting fair compensation
Fair pay attracts and retains good yayas. Consider these factors:
- Location — Metro Manila rates differ from provincial rates
- Hours — live-in vs. live-out arrangements
- Responsibilities — childcare only vs. combined household duties
- Experience — more experienced yayas command higher rates
Use our salary calculator to benchmark rates for your area.
Building a great working relationship
The first 30 days set the tone. Here's how to start well:
- Write a simple contract — even informal arrangements benefit from clear terms
- Set expectations early — daily schedule, house rules, emergency contacts
- Provide feedback regularly — don't wait for problems to pile up
- Respect boundaries — agreed working hours, days off, overtime pay
Red flags to watch for
Trust your instincts, but also watch for concrete warning signs:
- Reluctance to provide references
- Inconsistent stories about past employment
- Requesting large advances before starting
- Dismissing your parenting preferences
Ready to start?
Browse verified yaya profiles on Helpers and find the right match for your family. Every helper on our platform has been through identity verification, and you can read reviews from other families.