Many Dubai families rely on a nanny or domestic worker for daily childcare, and the relationship works best when expectations are spoken, not assumed. A calm, respectful conversation at the start β and small check-ins after β prevents most misunderstandings about routines, discipline, and how you keep in touch during the day.
Start With the Legal and Practical Basics
In the UAE, domestic workers are employed under the federal domestic workers law, arranged through Tadbeer centres or licensed agencies, with a formal contract covering hours, rest days, leave, and salary. Make sure your paperwork is in order first β confirm current requirements through official channels such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, as rules and fees are updated from time to time. A worker who feels secure in her contract, pay, and rest day is far better placed to care well for your child.
Then talk through the home itself: prayer and rest space, food, phone use, days off, and holidays. These are the foundation the childcare conversation stands on.
Agree the Daily Routine in Writing
Children settle when their day has a shape, and a nanny can only keep that shape if she knows it. Walk through a typical day together β wake-up, meals and snacks, school run, nap, bath, bedtime β and write it down simply, in a notebook or shared phone note. Include the details parents often forget they know: how your toddler likes her porridge, which comforter matters at nap time, what time the school bus actually arrives.
Be specific about food, allergies, medicines, and screen time. If grandparents or the other parent give different instructions, sort that out between yourselves rather than leaving your nanny caught in the middle. Review the routine after the first week and again whenever your child’s stage changes β weaning, dropping a nap, starting nursery.
Talk About Discipline Honestly and Early
This is the conversation families most often postpone, and it matters most. Explain clearly how you want behaviour handled:
- What your child is and is not allowed to do, and the words you use for it
- How you respond to tantrums, hitting, or refusal β calm voice, getting down to their level, distraction for toddlers, brief time-out or quiet time if that is your approach for older children
- What is never acceptable β shouting, threats, shaking, or any physical punishment β said plainly and without embarrassment
- When to call you immediately: injuries, fever, a stranger at the door, or behaviour that frightens her
- How treats, sweets, and extra screen time are used, so rewards do not quietly become the system
Remember that childcare norms differ across cultures, and your nanny may have been trained by previous employers to do the opposite of what you want. Frame it as “in our house, we do it this way” rather than right versus wrong, and invite her to share what worked in her experience β experienced nannies often have excellent, gentle techniques worth adopting.
Set Up Daily Communication That Suits You Both
Agree how updates will flow: a quick WhatsApp message and photo at lunch, a note about naps and meals, or a chat at handover. Say what you actually need β some parents want a photo every hour, others find that distracting β and respect her working hours in return, avoiding routine messages late at night or on her rest day.
Language deserves kindness and patience. If you do not share a fluent language, speak slowly, demonstrate tasks rather than only describing them, and check understanding by asking her to show you, not just nod. Many families find a few written key phrases and labelled cupboards help enormously in the first month.
Keep the Relationship Healthy Over Time
Schedule a short, friendly check-in every few weeks: what is working, what is hard, what your child is doing differently now. Raise small issues early and privately, praise generously and specifically, and never discuss problems in front of the children. If something serious goes wrong, address it directly and fairly, and use your agency or Tadbeer centre for mediation if you need support.
Your nanny is a professional doing skilled work in your home, often far from her own family. Clear routines, agreed discipline, and respectful communication are how trust gets built β and your child feels the difference.