Your helper arrives next week. You've completed the EOP, submitted the Work Permit application, and coordinated with your agency. But have you actually prepared your home?

Most first-time employers underestimate how much practical preparation goes into hosting a live-in employee. This checklist covers everything you need to buy, set up, and decide before she walks through the door.

Phase 1: Her Living Space

Whether it's a bomb shelter, shared room, or dedicated helper's room, prepare it properly.

Essential items to buy

  • Mattress (single-size foldable or bed frame if space allows)
  • Mattress protector (waterproof, zippered — buy 2 for rotation)
  • Pillow and pillowcase
  • Lightweight blanket or comforter
  • Bedsheet (fitted, matching mattress size)
  • Storage: plastic drawer unit (3-4 drawers) or small wardrobe
  • Fan (standing or clip-on — essential for bomb shelters)
  • Reading lamp or LED light
  • Towels (2 sets)
  • Wall hooks for bags/towels
  • Small folding table or tray for meals

If bomb shelter

  • Moisture absorber or small dehumidifier
  • Door hook latch for privacy (S$5 from hardware store)
  • Consider a small drying rack if she can't access outdoor drying

Estimated cost: S$150–300

Phase 2: Personal Supplies

Prepare these so she has basics from day one. She can buy her own preferred brands later with her salary.

Items to provide

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Shampoo and body wash (basic brands are fine)
  • Hand soap
  • Sanitary pads (one pack — she'll buy her own preferred brand later)
  • Laundry detergent (if her clothes will be washed separately)
  • A set of comfortable home clothes (2-3 cotton t-shirts and shorts — optional but appreciated)

Estimated cost: S$30–50

Phase 3: Kitchen Setup (if food is separate)

If you're not fully sharing meals, prepare her cooking basics.

Items to provide or allocate

  • Dedicated section in the fridge (clearly marked)
  • Basic cooking pot or pan (if you don't want her using yours)
  • Her own rice (long grain / jasmine — much cheaper than Korean rice)
  • Eggs, bread, cooking oil
  • Basic condiments (soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, sugar)
  • A set of plates, bowls, cups, and utensils (IKEA basics are fine)

Estimated cost: S$50–80

Phase 4: House Rules Document

Write this before she arrives. It should be no more than 2 pages, covering:

Work schedule

  • Wake time and start time
  • Break times (if any)
  • End time and "lights out" expectation
  • Off day: which day, departure/return time

Phone and WiFi rules

  • Personal phone: when and where it can be used
  • Work phone: if provided, what it's for
  • WiFi: shared or not, any time restrictions

Food arrangement

  • Shared, separate, or hybrid
  • What's off-limits (premium ingredients, children's food, etc.)
  • Meal times and cooking schedule

Cleaning and household standards

  • Daily tasks list
  • Weekly tasks list
  • Specific instructions for appliances
  • Laundry: how often, separate or combined

Childcare (if applicable)

  • Daily routine and schedule for children
  • Safety rules (pool, playground, road, strangers)
  • What to do in emergencies
  • Screen time rules

Other

  • Visitors policy (no visitors without permission)
  • Curfew on off days
  • CCTV disclosure
  • Reporting damage or breakage Print two copies. Review together on day one. Both sign.

Phase 5: CCTV Installation

Install before she arrives. Common setup:

  • Living room / play area
  • Kitchen
  • Entrance / hallway
  • Children's room (aimed at child, not helper's sleeping area) Budget: S$100-250 for 3-4 cameras

Tell her on day one: "We have cameras in the common areas for everyone's safety. Your room and bathroom are private."

Phase 6: MOM Requirements

Ensure these are scheduled before she arrives:

  • Medical examination: Must be completed within 14 days of arrival
  • Settling-In Programme (SIP): Within 3 working days of arrival (first-time FDWs only)
  • Insurance: Security bond + medical + personal accident — must be active before arrival
  • Work Permit card: Collect from MOM after issuance

Phase 7: Emergency Contacts Sheet

Print and place on the fridge or a visible wall:

  • Your phone number and spouse's
  • Trusted neighbor's number
  • Nearest clinic / hospital address and phone
  • Emergency: 995 (ambulance), 999 (police)
  • Poison control: 6423 9119
  • Fire: 995
  • Your home address (she needs to know this for emergencies)

Phase 8: First-Day Plan

Have a plan for day one. Don't overwhelm her with training.

Morning

  • Welcome, offer water and food
  • Tour of the house (her room first, then common areas)
  • Go through house rules document together
  • Show her emergency contacts and key locations (first aid, fire extinguisher)

Afternoon

  • Show her appliances (washing machine, stove, vacuum)
  • Walk through the daily routine
  • Let her unpack and settle into her room

Evening

  • Light first dinner together or guided
  • Confirm next day's schedule
  • Let her rest — she may have traveled for many hours Save detailed task training for days 2–5.

The Complete Shopping List (Summary)

Category Items Budget
Room setup Mattress, bedding, fan, storage, lamp, table S$150–300
Personal supplies Toiletries, towels, basic clothes S$30–50
Kitchen (if separate food) Pot, utensils, basic groceries S$50–80
CCTV 3-4 cameras + memory cards S$100–250
Total S$330–680

How HelperMate Helps

HelperMate's Setup Wizard guides you through exactly this preparation process:

  • Pre-arrival checklist — nothing gets forgotten
  • House rules template — customizable, multilingual
  • Shared schedule builder — create the weekly routine before she arrives
  • MOM compliance tracker — medical exam, SIP, insurance deadlines Start organized, stay organized. HelperMate makes it effortless.

Download HelperMate on Google Play → | App Store →

This guide reflects common practices for Singapore FDW employers. For official MOM requirements, refer to the MOM website. This article is for informational purposes only.