How to Hire a Nanny in Nairobi Safely
Hiring a nanny in Nairobi is one of the most important decisions a family can make. A nanny or house help isn’t just an employee — they become part of your home, your routine, and often your children’s lives. Yet many families rush the process: a quick referral, a phone call, a handshake… and then reality hits — misunderstandings, pay disputes, safety worries, or a worker who leaves suddenly.
This guide breaks down a safe, practical way to hire a nanny or domestic worker in Nairobi — with clear steps you can follow, whether you’re hiring for the first time or replacing a previous arrangement.
- Nanny vs house help: what’s the difference?
- Step 1: Define your needs clearly
- Step 2: Choose safe sourcing (avoid common traps)
- Step 3: Interview properly (not just once)
- Step 4: Verify identity & references
- Step 5: Agree on duties, pay, and rest days
- Step 6: Live-in vs live-out (pros/cons)
- Step 7: Support during placement (why it matters)
- How Lola Domestic helps
- FAQs
Nanny vs house help in Kenya: what’s the difference?
In Kenya, people say “nanny”, “house help”, “househelp”, “maid”, and “domestic worker” interchangeably — but the expectations can be very different. Many problems start when a family assumes one thing and the worker assumes another.
- Nanny — mainly childcare: feeding, bathing, supervision, school runs, homework support, bedtime routines.
- House help — mainly household work: cleaning, cooking, laundry, ironing, general home upkeep.
- Domestic worker — a broad term that can include both, depending on what you agree.
Step 1: Define your needs clearly (before you call anyone)
Start with clarity. A good hire begins with a clear job description — even if it’s simple. Write down:
- Role: nanny, house help, or combined duties?
- Setup: live-in or live-out?
- Working hours (weekday + weekend expectations)
- Number/ages of children (if childcare is involved)
- Key tasks: cooking? laundry? school runs? cleaning?
- Budget range (be realistic — quality and safety take effort)
Step 2: Choose safe sourcing (avoid common traps)
Many Nairobi families hire through “a friend of a friend” or quick estate referrals. Sometimes it works, but the risk is that: you don’t really know who you’re hiring, and the worker may not know what they’re walking into.
Safer sourcing usually includes at least some form of screening: identity confirmation, references, and clear expectations. If you use an agency or structured placement support, ask what checks they do and what support exists after placement.
Step 3: Interview properly (not just once)
A proper interview is not only “Can you cook?” or “Have you worked before?” You want to understand experience, mindset, and fit. If possible, do two interviews: one phone/WhatsApp and one in-person (or video call).
Good interview questions include:
- What roles have you handled before (childcare vs housework)?
- What does a normal day in your last job look like?
- Are you comfortable with children of this age?
- What hours and rest days do you prefer?
- How do you handle feedback or conflict in the home?
- What do you consider a respectful working relationship?
Step 4: Verify identity & references (basic but powerful)
Verification doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should be consistent. At minimum:
- Confirm national ID and match it to the person
- Confirm phone number(s)
- Request at least one reference (previous employer or community leader)
- Ask about location and availability
If you’re hiring through Lola Domestic, we guide this process so both sides are clear from day one.
Step 5: Agree on duties, pay, and rest days (avoid future fights)
Many placements fail because pay and duties were “understood” but never agreed. Before the worker starts, agree on:
- Monthly pay (or daily/weekly if that’s your arrangement)
- Pay date (e.g., 28th/30th/End month)
- Rest day (weekly off day)
- Public holidays (working vs off and how it’s handled)
- Notice period (how much notice if either side wants to end)
- What is included (and what is not included)
Step 6: Live-in vs live-out nannies (pros, cons & boundaries)
There’s no “best” setup — it depends on your household. But you must set boundaries early.
Live-in
- Pros: more flexibility, less commuting stress, helpful for young children.
- Cons: requires strong boundaries; risk of “always on duty” if you’re not careful.
Live-out
- Pros: clear working hours; easier boundaries; worker keeps independence.
- Cons: Nairobi commute can affect punctuality; emergencies may be harder.
Step 7: Support during placement (what most families forget)
Hiring doesn’t end on day one. Most issues happen during the first 2–6 weeks: routines, communication styles, children adjusting, and the worker learning your home. Without support, small issues grow into big ones.
Support can look like: check-ins, guidance on boundaries, mediating misunderstandings, and helping with transitions if the placement doesn’t work out.
How Lola Domestic supports safe hiring in Nairobi
Lola Domestic helps families hire nannies and domestic workers with a guided, respectful process. We focus on:
- Clear role definition and expectations
- Guided interviews and structured matching
- Support during placement (especially for Lola Managed)
- Fair terms and clearer boundaries for both sides
Submit a hiring request — we’ll shortlist and guide you → Quick Enquiry →
FAQs
How much does a nanny cost in Nairobi?
Costs vary by role (childcare vs combined duties), experience, live-in vs live-out, and schedule. The best approach is to set a budget range and match it to realistic duties and hours.
Should I do a written agreement?
Yes — even a simple written agreement helps both sides stay clear on duties, pay date, rest day, and notice period.
What if the placement doesn’t work out?
This is why placement support matters. For managed placements, structured support can help with transitions and reassignment where applicable.
Related: More Lola Domestic guides →