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How to brief your nanny or helper in Saudi Arabia: school run, remote days and WhatsApp groups

By Marie Adly · Last updated: 22 October 2026

A good nanny briefing in Saudi Arabia has two parts: a standing sheet that rarely changes (times, who can collect, kit days, allergies, emergency numbers, which school groups she is in) and a short weekly plan on WhatsApp for what changes. Add a remote day plan, because schools in Saudi Arabia have moved online at short notice in 2026. Keep portal passwords, fees and reports with you.

The short answer

• Sunday is the start of the school week (Sunday to Thursday), so send the weekly plan on Saturday evening.
• One standing sheet on the fridge and on her phone. Our Saudi Arabia nanny briefing template is ready to fill in.
• One remote day plan, sent the evening before.
• One place for changes: your private chat with her, not the class group.

The school run

Write the run day by day, per child: start and finish time, gate or pick-up point, how collection works (card, tag, app code) and who is collecting. If a driver or another parent is doing it, tell the school through its usual process. Shorter days during Ramadan and around national holidays change the times, so put the term breaks from our Saudi school holidays 2026-27 and Saudi remote learning guide for parents into her calendar early.

Add the practical bits that go wrong at 6.30am: water bottle, hat for outdoor PE, which bag is which, and what to do if the bus is late or she is stuck in Riyadh traffic (call you first, then the school reception).

School portals and apps: what she needs and what stays with you

Public schools run on two Ministry of Education systems. Noor is the student records system (grades, attendance and results) and Madrasati is the learning platform, where Virtual Classes and assignments live. On a remote day your child opens Virtual Classes in Madrasati, then Join. Private and international schools usually add their own app or learning platform and send links by email.

Your nanny does not need any of these logins. She needs the outputs: today's timetable, the link or where it appears, and any change. Portals also hold grades, attendance warnings and fees, which stay between you and the school.

Remote learning days

Riyadh and Diriyah public schools moved to remote study through Madrasati in October 2026, extended to Thursday 22 October according to the General Administration of Education in Riyadh. Remote days can be announced at short notice by the regional education department, often on its official X account, so tell your nanny that the message from you is the one that counts.

On a remote day her job is logistics, not teaching: device charged and signed in, child at the table ten minutes early, breaks with water and a snack, materials ready, and a photo of the screen to you if a link fails. Our remote learning with a nanny or helper (GCC guide) has a brief you can copy and our Saudi remote learning guide for parents explains the steps.

Class WhatsApp groups

Class and bus WhatsApp groups move fast, mix languages and carry plenty of noise. Decide which groups she is in and why:

• Bus or pick-up group: useful for her, for delays and changes.
• Class parents' group: usually better kept with you. Pass on what matters in your daily message.
• Rules for her: no need to reply to everything, no photos of other children shared in groups, and never use a lesson link from a group chat on a remote day. Links come from the school's platform or from you.

Fair hours

Saudi Arabia's Regulation for Domestic Workers (Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development) caps work at 10 effective hours a day, with a break of at least 30 minutes after five hours, at least 8 hours of continuous daily rest and one paid weekly rest day of at least 24 hours. If she works on her rest day, she is owed a substitute day or agreed pay. Plan early drop-offs, late activities and weekend events so the week still adds up, and agree her rest day before term starts.

FAQ

What should I include in a nanny briefing in Saudi Arabia?
Drop-off and pick-up times by day, who may collect, uniform and kit by day, allergies and medicines, emergency numbers (911 in Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah and the Eastern Province; elsewhere 999 police, 997 ambulance, 998 civil defence), which school WhatsApp groups she is in, and what to do on a remote learning day.

Should my nanny have the login for Madrasati or Noor?
It is better not to. Sign your child in on their own device once, keep the password yourself, and have her message you if your child is logged out. Portals also hold reports and fees she does not need.

Should I add my nanny to the class WhatsApp group?
Only if it helps with logistics such as pick-up changes or bus delays, and tell her she does not need to reply. Many families keep the class group themselves and pass on what matters in one daily message.

What does my nanny do on a remote learning day in Saudi Arabia?
She gets the child to the right lesson on time with a charged device, materials and breaks, and messages you if a link fails. Teaching stays with the school and contact with teachers stays with you.

How many hours can a domestic worker work in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia's Regulation for Domestic Workers (Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development) caps work at 10 effective hours a day, with a break of at least 30 minutes after five hours, at least 8 hours of continuous daily rest and one paid weekly rest day of at least 24 hours. If she works on her rest day, she is owed a substitute day or agreed pay.

Sources

• Ministry of Education (Saudi Arabia), Madrasati e-learning service
• Ministry of Education FAQ, signing in to Madrasati
• General Administration of Education in Riyadh, official X post, 17 Oct 2026
• Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Regulation for Domestic Workers (PDF)
• National Platform (my.gov.sa), emergency contact numbers

Related: Saudi nanny briefing template · Remote learning with a nanny or helper · Briefing your helper on the school week

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