Hiring a nanny in Dubai is about much more than finding someone your children like. Domestic work is regulated, and for most families the clearest, safest route is through a Tadbeer centre licensed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, known as MOHRE. Tadbeer centres recruit, train and sponsor domestic workers, which removes much of the visa and paperwork risk from you. This guide explains how the process usually works, what contracts cover and what costs to budget for, so you can hire with confidence rather than guesswork.
Why Families Use a Tadbeer Centre
In the past, many families sponsored a nanny directly and handled visas, medical tests, Emirates ID and insurance themselves. That route still exists in some circumstances, but Tadbeer was introduced to standardise recruitment and protect both families and workers. When you hire through a centre, the centre typically remains the sponsor and handles government paperwork, salary administration and replacement arrangements if things do not work out.
That matters if you are new to Dubai or short on time. It also gives you a formal route for help if duties, hours or conduct become an issue, rather than relying only on a private arrangement.
How the Hiring Process Usually Works
Start by visiting or contacting a licensed Tadbeer centre and describing exactly what you need: live-in or live-out, ages of your children, cooking or cleaning duties, driving, language preferences and any experience with babies or children with additional needs. Be specific, because a nanny for a newborn is a different hire from someone supervising school-age children after class.
- Review profiles and interview shortlisted candidates, ideally more than once
- Agree duties, rest days, working hours and holidays before signing
- Complete identity, medical and contract paperwork through the centre
- Confirm who pays for visa, insurance, travel and agency fees
- Set a trial period and a clear start date at home
Ask to see identification and, where available, references and training certificates. A good centre will not rush you past these checks.
What the Contract Should Cover
Your contract should set out the job in writing: monthly salary, payment date and method, weekly rest day, daily rest, annual leave, sick leave, end-of-service arrangements and notice for ending the agreement. Domestic workers in the UAE have legal protections covering rest, leave and timely pay, so do not treat the contract as a formality.
Also agree the practical house rules separately and kindly: phone use while supervising children, visitors, overnight guests, use of the car, and how you will handle overtime or extra babysitting evenings. Putting expectations in writing early prevents most misunderstandings later.
Costs to Budget For
Costs vary by nationality, experience, live-in or live-out arrangement and the package the centre offers. Typically you should expect a combination of a one-off recruitment or placement fee, a monthly salary, and in many Tadbeer packages a monthly service fee to the centre that covers sponsorship and administration. Live-in arrangements also mean providing suitable accommodation, food or a food allowance, toiletries and transport where needed.
As a rough guide, total monthly costs are often in the low thousands of dirhams, with experienced or specialised nannies costing more, but prices change and differ between centres. Always ask for a full written breakdown before you commit, check what happens financially if you end the contract early, and confirm current fees on the MOHRE website or directly with the centre.
Starting Well at Home
The first two weeks set the tone. Show your nanny around, demonstrate routines for feeding, naps, school runs and safety, and write down emergency contacts and your children’s medical information. Agree how you will give feedback, and check in regularly rather than saving up concerns.
Remember that a fair workload, privacy, rest and respectful communication are not extras. They are what make a placement last, and what keep your children in safe, familiar hands.
If a centre offers a package that seems unusually cheap, ask what is excluded. Flights home, medical cover, replacement cover during leave and government charges are common areas where a low headline price can grow later.
Done properly through Tadbeer, hiring a nanny is a managed, transparent process. Take your time interviewing, read every cost line, and keep the official MOHRE guidance as your reference point if anything you are offered sounds different.