How to Train a New House Help in 7 Days (Step-by-Step Guide for Employers, Trainers, and Domestic Workers)
Introduction
Hiring a new house help, nanny, or domestic worker is not the end of the process—it is the beginning. Many households struggle not because the worker is incapable, but because proper training is skipped or rushed. Clear guidance, expectations, and gradual skill-building are what transform a new house help into a reliable, confident, and trustworthy worker.
This article provides a 7-day structured training plan designed for real homes. The training is not full-time classroom instruction; instead, it uses short daily sessions (30–60 minutes) combined with learning while working. The guide is suitable for employers, professional trainers, and house helps themselves, especially those working as nannies or general domestic workers.
The goal is simple: build skills, trust, discipline, and professionalism within the first week.
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| House helps during a past training session |
Why a 7-Day Training Plan Works
A new house help absorbs information best when:
Instructions are broken into manageable parts
Training happens alongside real tasks
Feedback is given daily
Expectations are clear from the start
A structured 7-day onboarding period:
Reduces mistakes and misunderstandings
Builds confidence for the worker
Saves time for the employer in the long run
Encourages professionalism and accountability
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Day 1: Orientation, Expectations, and House Rules
Training focus: Understanding the household
Session length: 45–60 minutes
Day one sets the tone for the entire working relationship. This is not a heavy workday; it is an orientation and familiarization day.
What to cover on Day 1
1. Introductions and communication
Introduce all household members
Explain how to address adults and children
Agree on the main language of communication
2. Job role clarification
Clearly explain:
Whether the role is house help, nanny, or combined
Core responsibilities
Tasks that are not part of the job
3. House rules and values
Cover:
Working hours
Phone usage rules
Visitors policy
Privacy and confidentiality
Respect for property and boundaries
4. Daily routine overview
Walk the worker through a normal day:
Morning duties
Midday expectations
Evening responsibilities
5. Basic safety briefing
Emergency contacts
Where first aid items are kept
What to do in case of accidents
Outcome of Day 1:
The house help understands where they are, what is expected, and how the household operates.
Day 2: Cleaning Standards and House Hygiene
Training focus: Practical cleaning skills
Session length: 30–45 minutes
Many conflicts arise from different cleaning standards. Day 2 aligns expectations.
What to cover on Day 2
1. Cleaning priorities
Demonstrate:
How you want rooms cleaned
Frequency of cleaning tasks
Areas that need extra attention
2. Use of cleaning products
Which detergents to use where
Safe handling of chemicals
What should never be mixed
3. Waste management
Sorting trash
Disposal routines
Kitchen hygiene standards
4. Learning while working
Allow the house help to clean as you supervise:
Correct gently
Demonstrate once, then let them try
Outcome of Day 2:
The worker understands your hygiene standards and cleaning expectations.
Day 3: Laundry, Ironing, and Clothing Care
Training focus: Fabric care and organization
Session length: 30–45 minutes
Laundry errors can be costly. This day prevents damage and frustration.
What to cover on Day 3
1. Sorting clothes
Whites vs colors
Delicate vs heavy fabrics
Children’s clothing
2. Washing instructions
Hand washing vs machine washing
Correct detergent amounts
Drying methods
3. Ironing standards
Temperature control
Folding preferences
Storage and organization
4. Respect for personal items
Handling undergarments
Jewelry and valuables
Outcome of Day 3:
Laundry is done safely, neatly, and according to household preferences.
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Day 4: Kitchen Skills, Cooking, and Food Safety
Training focus: Kitchen management
Session length: 45–60 minutes
For house helps and nannies, kitchen skills are essential.
What to cover on Day 4
1. Kitchen rules
Clean-as-you-cook principle
Storage rules
Refrigerator organization
2. Food hygiene
Hand washing
Safe food storage
Avoiding cross-contamination
3. Cooking expectations
Common meals in the household
Portion sizes
Dietary restrictions
4. Practical demonstration
Cook one meal together
Observe technique
Offer constructive feedback
Outcome of Day 4:
The worker can prepare meals safely and maintain kitchen hygiene.
Day 5: Childcare and Nanny Training (If Applicable)
Training focus: Child safety and care
Session length: 45–60 minutes
This day is critical for homes with babies or young children.
What to cover on Day 5
1. Child safety rules
Never leaving children unattended
Safe play practices
Emergency response basics
2. Baby and child routines
Feeding schedules
Sleeping routines
Bathing and hygiene
3. Discipline and communication
Positive discipline methods
How to communicate with children
Boundaries and respect
4. Observation-based learning
Let the nanny observe first
Then assist
Finally handle tasks under supervision
Outcome of Day 5:
The house help or nanny understands safe, respectful childcare practices.
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| HOUSE GIRLS VILLAGE and BUREAU |
Day 6: Time Management, Initiative, and Professional Conduct
Training focus: Work ethic and independence
Session length: 30–45 minutes
Skills alone are not enough; attitude matters.
What to cover on Day 6
1. Time management
Prioritizing tasks
Managing slow periods
Planning daily work
2. Initiative vs permission
When to take initiative
When to ask first
3. Professional behavior
Respectful communication
Handling corrections
Maintaining boundaries
4. Problem-solving
Reporting issues early
Avoiding assumptions
Outcome of Day 6:
The worker begins functioning independently and professionally.
Day 7: Review, Feedback, and Long-Term Expectations
Training focus: Evaluation and alignment
Session length: 45–60 minutes
The final day consolidates learning and sets the future direction.
What to cover on Day 7
1. Review of the week
What was learned
What needs improvement
2. Worker feedback
Ask how they are coping
Clarify challenges
3. Employer feedback
Praise strengths
Address gaps respectfully
4. Long-term expectations
Performance standards
Review periods
Growth opportunities
Outcome of Day 7:
Both parties are aligned, confident, and ready to continue working together.
Essential Skills Every Trained House Help Should Have
By the end of the first week, a competent house help or nanny should demonstrate:
Basic hygiene and cleaning skills
Safe kitchen practices
Respect for household rules
Childcare awareness (if applicable)
Good communication
Willingness to learn and improve
READ MORE: How to Interview a House Help Professionally (Expert Hiring Tips) Interview Questions
Final Thoughts
Training a new house help does not require shouting, rushing, or unrealistic expectations. It requires structure, patience, and consistency. A 7-day step-by-step approach builds skills while preserving dignity and mutual respect.
For employers, this system saves time and reduces conflict. For house helps and nannies, it creates clarity, confidence, and professionalism. When training is done right, everyone benefits.
This guide is suitable for households, domestic worker trainers, and employment bureaus seeking to improve standards and working relationships.
About the Author
House Girls Village & BureauDomestic Staff Placement Experts in Kenya
This article was written by the team at House Girls Village & Bureau, a domestic staff placement bureau based in Kenya. With hands-on experience in recruiting, training, and placing house helps for Kenyan households, we work closely with both employers and domestic workers to ensure fair, safe, and professional placements. Our daily work involves screening candidates, advising families, resolving placement issues, and promoting ethical domestic employment practices.
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