Pinoyaya
Quick answer: Hiring a yaya properly takes five steps: define what you need, source verified candidates, interview and check references, sign a written Batas Kasambahay contract, then run a paid 2-4 week trial. Budget ₱12,000-₱25,000/month in Metro Manila (₱7,000-₱18,000 elsewhere), plus government contributions. Most families go from search to trial start in 1-2 weeks.
The two ways families hire today, and why both fall short
Most Filipino families still find a yaya one of two ways: through a Facebook hiring group, or through a placement agency. Both have real problems.
Facebook groups are fast and free, but there is usually no identity check at all: you are trusting a photo and a comment thread. Agencies add real cost (a placement fee of roughly ₱3,000-₱8,000+) and their vetting depth varies enormously; many don't independently verify identity unless you ask directly.
The fix isn't choosing one over the other: it's doing rigorous verification regardless of the channel: a real government ID, a reference you actually call, and a proper paid trial before you commit.
Step 1: Define what you actually need
Before you look at a single profile, write down:
- Live-in or live-out? See our live-in vs live-out comparison if you're unsure.
- Hours and days. Full-time, part-time, or specific shifts?
- Children's ages and number. Infant care requires different experience than school-age childcare.
- Special skills. Cooking, driving, CPR/First Aid, English proficiency?
- Your realistic budget: including benefits, not just the headline salary.
Families who skip this step end up interviewing candidates who were never a real fit, wasting everyone's time. Not sure if you need a yaya, a babysitter, or household help of a different kind? See yaya vs babysitter vs kasambahay: what's the difference.
Step 2: Source verified candidates
You have three realistic channels:
| Channel | Speed | Cost | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinoyaya (app) | Days to a week | No placement fee; pass from ₱399 (7 days) or ₱699 (30 days) | Optional ID check; look for the badge |
| Facebook groups / community | Days to weeks | Free | None: you must vet yourself |
| Placement agency | 2-6 weeks | ₱3,000-₱8,000+ | Varies, often not independently checked |
Whichever channel you use, the non-negotiable step is checking a valid government-issued ID (PhilSys, driver's licence, passport, or UMID) and confirming it matches the person's face and name. On Pinoyaya, that check happens before a profile is even visible: see what "identity verified" actually means.
Start with verified profiles
Yayas on Pinoyaya can complete ID verification and earn the ID-Verified badge: look for it, and step 2 is already done by the time you message them. Browse by city, experience, and rate.
Browse yayas →Step 3: Interview and check references properly
A good interview goes beyond "what's your experience?" Ask about specific scenarios: a crying infant at 2am, a child refusing to eat, how they'd handle a minor injury. Our 10 questions to ask before hiring a yaya is a ready-made script.
Then call at least one previous employer: don't rely on a text exchange. A reference who won't take a call, or answers evasively, is a signal worth taking seriously.
Step 4: Budget realistically
The monthly salary is only part of the true cost. In 2026:
| Item | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Salary: Metro Manila, live-in | ₱10,000 to ₱25,000 |
| Salary: outside Metro Manila | ₱7,000 to ₱18,000 |
| SSS / PhilHealth / Pag-IBIG (employer share) | ~₱1,500 to ₱2,500 |
| Live-in food & incidentals | ~₱3,000 to ₱5,000 |
| 13th-month pay | 1 month's salary, paid in December |
See the full breakdown in how much should you pay a yaya in 2026 and the SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG registration guide. Rates and local hiring conditions vary by city: see our guides for Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
Step 5: Know the legal essentials
Hiring a kasambahay in the Philippines is governed by Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361). The essentials:
- A written contract is required: see our free contract template.
- A minimum wage applies per region: NCR's kasambahay minimum is ₱7,800/month (Wage Order No. NCR-DW-06, effective 7 February 2026); other regions differ, so confirm the current figure with DOLE or your local RTWPB. This is a legal floor, not the market rate.
- SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG registration is mandatory, not optional.
- 13th-month pay, daily and weekly rest periods, and (for live-in helpers) free lodging and meals are all required.
Read the full plain-English guide to Batas Kasambahay before you hire.
Step 6: Sign the contract, then run a real trial
Sign the written contract before their first day, not after. Then treat the first 2-4 weeks as a genuine, paid trial: full salary, no discount, but a real opportunity for both sides to confirm the fit. Our trial period guide covers what to observe, red flags, and how to end it respectfully if it isn't working.
A realistic 14-day hiring timeline
Families with a clear brief and verified candidates routinely move faster than this. Rushed hires (skipping ID verification or references to save a few days) are where things go wrong.
Final checklist before you commit
- Government ID checked and confirmed to match their face and name
- At least one previous employer called directly (not just messaged)
- Written contract signed by both parties, covering pay, duties, rest days, and termination
- Salary and benefits (SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG, 13th month) clearly agreed
- A defined trial period (2-4 weeks) with full pay
- House rules and expectations discussed before day one
Paano maghanap ng yaya? (buod sa Tagalog)
Kung gusto mong mabilis lang basahin ang proseso:
- Linawin muna kung ano ang kailangan mo. Live-in o live-out? Ilang bata at anong edad? Kasama ba ang luto at laba, o childcare lang? Isulat ito bago ka mag-post: dito nagsisimula ang karamihan ng hindi pagkakaintindihan.
- Tingnan ang ID-Verified badge. Ang mga helper na kumpleto ang identity verification (government ID at live selfie) ay may badge sa profile nila. Hanapin ito. Hindi lahat ng helper ay verified, kaya ang badge ang tignan mo, hindi ang assumption.
- Mag-chat muna sa loob ng app. Huwag agad ibigay ang address o personal na numero. Magtanong tungkol sa karanasan, availability, at rest day habang nasa app pa kayo.
- Mag-interview at humingi ng reference na pwede mong tawagan. Hindi sapat ang self-description. Tumawag ka talaga.
- Gumawa ng written contract. Required ito sa ilalim ng Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361): nakasulat, sa wikang naiintindihan ng dalawang panig, dalawang kopya. May libreng template ang Pinoyaya na pwede mong i-print.
- Mag-trial period bago mag-commit. Ang ugali at fit ay nakikita lang sa aktwal na araw-araw, hindi sa interview.
Tandaan: ang identity verification ay nagpapatunay lang na totoo ang tao at tugma sa ID niya. Hindi ito criminal background check. Ikaw pa rin ang magde-desisyon kung tama siya para sa pamilya mo.
Frequently asked questions
How do I hire a yaya in the Philippines?
Define what you need (live-in/out, hours, skills, budget), source verified candidates, interview and call references, sign a Batas Kasambahay-compliant written contract, then run a 2-4 week paid trial period before committing long-term. Most families move from search to trial start in 1-2 weeks.
How much does it cost to hire a yaya in the Philippines?
In 2026, a Metro Manila yaya typically earns ₱12,000-₱25,000 a month, and ₱7,000-₱18,000 outside NCR, depending on experience and live-in status. Add roughly ₱1,500-₱2,500 a month in SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG and, for live-in helpers, board and lodging.
Is it better to hire a yaya through an agency or directly?
Direct hire is usually cheaper (no ₱3,000-₱8,000+ placement fee) and gives you full control of vetting; agencies can be faster and sometimes offer a replacement guarantee. Neither method is automatically safer: rigorous identity verification and reference checks are what actually protect your family.
What documents do I need to hire a yaya legally?
A written employment contract signed by both parties is required under Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361). You'll also need their details to register them for SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, and it's good practice to check a valid government ID before they start.
How long does it take to hire a yaya?
With a verified-profile app, families often see initial matches within days and can start a trial within one to two weeks. Sourcing through agencies typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. The interview and reference-check pace is usually what sets the overall timeline.
What should I look for when hiring a yaya?
A verified government ID that matches their face and name, a previous employer you can actually call, clear answers about experience with children their age, comfort discussing SSS/PhilHealth registration, and consistent behaviour during a paid trial period, not just a good interview.
Not exactly what you're looking for?
"Yaya" is the umbrella term most Filipino families use, but if you need something more specific, these guides go deeper:
- How to hire a nanny in the Philippines: same role as a yaya, different word.
- How to hire a babysitter in the Philippines: occasional or short-notice childcare, not full-time.
- How to hire a housekeeper in the Philippines: general household help, not childcare-focused.
- Yaya vs babysitter vs kasambahay: the full terminology breakdown.
Ready to start?
Browse yayas, housekeepers, and helpers anywhere in the Philippines, and look for the ID-verified badge. Browsing is free; one-time passes from ₱399 (7 days) or ₱699 (30 days) let you message and send offers.
Get the Pinoyaya app →This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. For specific situations, consult DOLE or a Philippine labour lawyer.