The First 7 Days: How to Welcome Your New Domestic Helper the Right Way
Updated: Aug 27
Your new helper has just arrived — jet-lagged, in an unfamiliar home, surrounded by new faces. You have spent weeks on paperwork and MOM processing, but the first seven days are what actually set the tone for the relationship. Here is how to welcome her the right way, day by day.
At a Glance: The First 7 Days
Day 1: offer a drink, show her the bathroom and her room, then give a full house tour — including safety points.
Days 2–3: demonstrate your exact standards, write a daily/weekly schedule, and set boundaries early (phone, sleep, food, WiFi).
Days 4–5: introduce family dynamics — medication times, allergies, pets — and do a proper pet handover if she will help.
Days 6–7: discuss rest days, salary and insurance openly; MOM entitles her to a weekly rest day.
Small gestures — a SIM card, a familiar snack, showing her the MRT — say 'you are welcome here'.
Day-by-Day Welcome Plan
Days | Focus | Key actions |
Day 1 | Arrival | Drink, freshen up, full house + safety tour |
Day 2–3 | Expectations | Demonstrate standards, schedule, boundaries |
Day 4–5 | Family dynamics | Medication, allergies, pets, introductions |
Day 6–7 | Going forward | Rest day, salary, insurance, open door |
Day 1: The Arrival and the House Tour
Start simple: offer her a drink, show her the bathroom and let her freshen up — she has likely travelled from Indonesia, Myanmar or the Philippines. Then give a proper house tour, opening cupboards and pointing out cleaning supplies, the mop, bin bags and how your washing machine works. Cover safety essentials — the circuit breaker, gas shut-off valve and first-aid kit — plus the HDB refuse chute and recycling bins, or the perimeter and security if you live in a landed property. Patience on day one signals respect.
Days 2–3: Setting Clear Expectations
Don't assume "clean the house" means the same to her as it does to you. Walk through each task together, show your standards, and write a simple daily and weekly schedule — a printed list on the kitchen wall or a shared WhatsApp chat works. This is also the time for boundaries: phone usage, wake and sleep times, whether she can help herself to food, and the WiFi password for calling her family.
Days 4–5: Introducing Family Dynamics
Every household has its own rhythm. Flag medication times for grandparents, allergies, and quirks like a pet that fears the vacuum cleaner. Introduce her to elderly parents and children and let her observe how you interact. If she will handle pet care — Singapore has over 200,000 licensed helpers and a growing number are assigned pet duties — do a proper handover, including where the vet's contact is saved.
Days 6–7: The Rest Day Conversation and Going Forward
MOM entitles your helper to a weekly rest day — discuss early whether she takes Sunday off, prefers to go out or stay home, and confirm salary-payment method and what her medical insurance covers. Make clear she can raise concerns with you; a helper who feels safe speaking up is a helper who stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do on my new helper's first day?
Offer her a drink, show her the bathroom and let her freshen up, then give a thorough house tour covering cleaning supplies, appliances, safety points (circuit breaker, gas valve, first-aid) and waste/recycling. Patience on day one builds trust.
How do I welcome a new domestic helper in Singapore?
Start with warmth and a proper house tour, then over the first week demonstrate your standards, write a daily/weekly schedule, introduce family dynamics and pets, and discuss rest days, salary and insurance openly.
What should I show my helper in a house tour?
Beyond each room, show cleaning supplies, the mop and bin bags, how the washing machine works, the circuit breaker, gas shut-off valve, first-aid kit, and the HDB refuse chute and recycling bins — or perimeter and security for landed properties.
When should I discuss rest days with my helper?
Within the first week (ideally days 6–7). MOM entitles her to a weekly rest day; confirm the day, whether she goes out or stays home, and any compensation-in-lieu arrangement, which must be mutually agreed.
How do I help my helper settle in emotionally?
Remember she has left her own family behind. Small gestures — a SIM card on day one, a familiar snack, a top-up to call home, showing her the MRT — signal that she is welcome and part of the household.
Ready to find the help your home deserves? Check out our guide on which nationality suits you best.
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Contact iHome Agency:
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📍 Punggol & Northshore Specialist
Disclaimer: All information is based on 2026 MOM guidelines. For specific case assessments, please consult with our licensed agents.
