The first week with a new helper is one of the most important weeks in your employer-helper relationship. It's when expectations are set, habits form, and trust either starts to build or quietly begins to erode.
Whether you've hired a first-time helper from overseas or a transfer helper already in Singapore, a thoughtful onboarding makes a measurable difference. Here's a practical, day-by-day guide to getting it right.
Before She Arrives
Preparation in the days before your helper arrives does more than just save time — it shows her that she's joining a home that has thought about her needs.
Prepare her living space
MOM requires that your helper has suitable accommodation with reasonable privacy. Before she arrives, set up:
- A bed with fresh bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket)
- Personal storage (wardrobe or drawers)
- Towels, toiletries basics (shampoo, soap, toothbrush/toothpaste for the first few days)
- A bedside lamp and charger socket
If possible, a small welcome item — a notebook, some local snacks, or a simple care package — makes a meaningful first impression.
Prepare your household documents
Have these ready to go through with her:
- A copy of her employment contract
- House rules (kept simple: 5–7 key points)
- Emergency contacts (you, spouse, neighbor, nearest clinic/hospital)
- Wi-Fi password
- Location of key household items (first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, circuit breaker)
Schedule the mandatory appointments
- Medical examination: Must be completed within 14 days of arrival
- Settling-In Programme (SIP): Must be attended within 3 working days of arrival (first-time FDWs only)
Book these before she arrives so you're not scrambling on day one.
Day 1: Welcome and Orientation
The first day isn't about training. It's about making her feel safe and welcome.
When she arrives
- Greet her warmly. A smile and a "Welcome" in her language goes a long way.
- Offer water and a meal. She may have traveled for many hours.
- Give her a tour of the house — her own space first, then common areas.
- Show her where essentials are: kitchen, bathroom, her room, fire exits.
Keep day 1 light
Avoid overwhelming her with a long list of tasks. Your goals today are:
- Help her feel at home
- Make sure she knows where things are
- Establish the communication rhythm (when you're home, when she should wake, etc.)
Save detailed training for days 2–7. People don't learn well when they're tired and overwhelmed.
Day 2–3: Core Routines and Safety
Now that she's rested, walk through the essentials.
Essential training topics
- Appliances: Washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum, microwave, stove/oven. Demonstrate, don't just describe.
- Cleaning products: Which one goes where. Label bottles clearly if needed.
- Safety: Fire exits, circuit breaker, gas shut-off, first-aid kit, emergency numbers.
- Food basics: Your family's dietary preferences, any allergies, ingredients off-limits (e.g., pork for Muslim households).
Cover mobile phone rules early
Mobile phones are the #1 source of misunderstanding between employers and helpers. Discuss openly on day 2 or 3:
- When can she use her phone for personal calls?
- Is the phone allowed in her workspace?
- What's the agreed quiet/rest time?
Write the agreement down. Both sides sign. Avoid ambiguity.
Day 4–5: Household Tasks and Schedule
By now she's had time to orient. Introduce the work rhythm.
Share the weekly schedule
Walk through what a typical week looks like:
- Wake time, meal times, bedtime
- Daily tasks (cleaning, cooking, laundry)
- Weekly tasks (deep cleaning, grocery runs, ironing)
- Her rest day (once a week, minimum one per month non-negotiable)
Don't try to cram everything into a single list. Group tasks by day and by priority.
Start with observation, not performance
For the first few days, let her watch you or another family member do key tasks once before expecting her to do them alone. This is especially important for:
- Childcare (feeding, nap routines, pickup/dropoff)
- Elderly care (medication timings, mobility assistance)
- Cooking your family's typical dishes
A 5-minute demonstration saves 50 minutes of correction later.
Day 6–7: First Rest Day and Reflection
Respect her first rest day
Under MOM rules, every helper is entitled to a weekly rest day, and at least one rest day per month cannot be compensated away.
On her first rest day:
- Confirm the day and hours in advance
- Don't call or message with non-urgent requests
- Let her know it's truly her time
A helper who feels her rest day is respected is far more likely to work well the other six days.
Do a 1-week check-in
At the end of the first week, sit down for a short, calm conversation:
- What's going well?
- What feels confusing or difficult?
- Any concerns about the home, the work, or her living situation?
Listen more than you talk. Many small issues are easy to fix in week one — but become deeply rooted habits if ignored.
The Onboarding Mindset
Research on employer-helper relationships consistently points to the same finding: the first two weeks predict the next two years. Helpers who feel respected and informed early tend to perform better, stay longer, and communicate issues openly instead of letting resentment build.
Treat your helper the way a good HR department would treat any new employee:
- Clear expectations, in writing
- Proper orientation, not trial-by-fire
- Respect for her time off
- Open channels for feedback
Your helper is not family — and she's not an outsider. She's an employee with a job description, rights, and a life of her own. Treating the relationship that way isn't cold; it's fair.
How HelperMate Helps
HelperMate was built for exactly this kind of structured onboarding. The app includes:
- Setup Wizard: Guides you through household setup, family composition, and initial task templates
- 10-language support: Your helper sees tasks, schedules, and messages in her own language
- Shared schedule: Both employer and helper see the same weekly routine, reducing miscommunication
- MOM compliance tracking: Medical exam, work permit, passport expiry alerts — all in one place
A structured first week, supported by the right tools, is how respectful long-term relationships are built.
Download HelperMate on Google Play →
This guide reflects general best practices and MOM regulations as of 2026. For specific legal requirements, always refer to the official MOM website.