How to hire a nanny in the Philippines
"Nanny" is the term most English-speaking, expat, and OFW families search for. This guide covers what the role actually means in the Philippines, what to pay, and how to hire safely.
Quick answer: In the Philippines, a "nanny" is the same role Filipino families call a yaya: a household helper focused on childcare, covered by the same law (Batas Kasambahay, RA 10361). There's no separate legal category for "nanny." If you're searching for one, you're hiring a yaya.
Nanny, yaya, kasambahay, babysitter: what's the actual difference?
These terms overlap, and families new to hiring in the Philippines often aren't sure which one applies to them. Here's the plain version:
- Yaya: the everyday Filipino word for a nanny. Same role as "nanny," just the local term.
- Nanny: the English-language term for the same role. Used mostly by expat families, OFWs hiring from abroad, and international job listings.
- Kasambahay: the broader legal term under RA 10361, covering any household worker (yaya, housekeeper, cook, driver). A yaya/nanny is one type of kasambahay.
- Babysitter: usually a different arrangement, occasional or part-time childcare (an evening out, a weekend), rather than a full-time or live-in role. See Pinoyaya's full comparison of yaya vs babysitter vs kasambahay for the detailed breakdown.
Whichever word you searched, the legal protections, typical duties, and hiring process below are the same.
What does a nanny actually do?
Scope varies by family, but a typical Filipino nanny's responsibilities include:
- Full-time supervision and care of one or more children
- Feeding, bathing, and dressing younger children
- Age-appropriate play, learning activities, and school pickup/drop-off
- Basic health monitoring and administering medication as instructed
- Light housekeeping directly tied to childcare (the child's room, laundry, meals)
A nanny is not automatically responsible for the whole household's cleaning or cooking. That's a separate housekeeper role, though some families do combine both in one hire. Be explicit about scope in the written contract (Batas Kasambahay requires one) so expectations are clear from day one.
How much does a nanny cost in the Philippines?
Rates track the same market as yaya salaries. As a quick reference for 2026:
| City | Typical live-in monthly range |
|---|---|
| Metro Manila | ₱10,000 – ₱25,000 |
| Cebu City | ₱8,000 – ₱15,000 |
| Davao City | ₱7,000 – ₱13,000 |
In 2026, live-in nannies typically earn ₱10,000–₱25,000 a month in Metro Manila, ₱8,000–₱15,000 in Cebu City and ₱7,000–₱13,000 in Davao City, depending on experience, certifications and the number of children.
Ranges depend on experience, certifications (CPR, TESDA), and number of children. For the full breakdown by experience level and live-in vs live-out, see the complete 2026 salary guide.
How to verify a nanny's identity before hiring
The single biggest risk in hiring informally, through a Facebook group or a friend's referral, is that you can't independently confirm who someone actually is. On Pinoyaya, helpers can complete a two-step identity check before the ID-Verified badge appears on their profile:
- Government ID upload: a valid Philippine government-issued ID.
- Live selfie match: a real-time selfie matched against the ID to confirm the person applying is the person in the document.
The badge tells you identity has been checked. It isn't a substitute for meeting the candidate, checking references, and running your own trial period. Read more in what "Identity verified" actually means.
Step-by-step: hiring a nanny through Pinoyaya
- Post what you need. Schedule, location, live-in or live-out, and the age(s) of your children. Takes about two minutes.
- Browse ID-verified profiles. Filter by city, experience, and rate. Every profile shows experience, rate, and city — plus the ID-Verified badge if that helper has completed the identity check.
- Message and interview directly. Chat in-app before committing — ask about experience with your children's ages, availability, and rate expectations.
- Agree a written contract. Required under Batas Kasambahay. Pinoyaya's free contract template covers wages, hours, rest days, and termination terms.
- Run a paid trial period. See Pinoyaya's guide to setting up a trial that protects your family before you commit long-term.
Ready to find your nanny?
Browse ID-verified yayas, nannies, and housekeepers anywhere in the Philippines. ₱699 for 30 days of full access, no agency fees, no placement fee.
Get the Pinoyaya app →Frequently asked questions
Is a nanny the same as a yaya in the Philippines?+
Yes. "Nanny" is the English-language term; "yaya" is the Filipino term families use day to day. Both describe the same role, a household helper focused on childcare, and both are covered by the same law, Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361).
How much does a nanny cost in the Philippines?+
In 2026, live-in nannies in Metro Manila typically earn ₱10,000–25,000 a month depending on experience and specialisation, with lower ranges in Cebu and Davao. See Pinoyaya's full 2026 salary guide for a city-by-city breakdown.
What is the difference between a nanny and a babysitter in the Philippines?+
A nanny is typically a full-time or live-in role with ongoing responsibility for a child's routine, while a babysitter is usually hired for occasional or part-time coverage, such as an evening out or while a live-in helper is off duty.
How do I verify a nanny's identity before hiring in the Philippines?+
On Pinoyaya, helpers can complete identity verification (a government ID matched against a live selfie); the ID-Verified badge appears on their profile once they have. Always check for this badge and still meet or video-call a candidate directly before hiring.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Confirm current wage rates with DOLE and consult a Philippine labour lawyer for your specific situation.