mEL,
Maid can be either a treasure of a nightmare, make sure you choose well, dont focus on the package from the agency only but also expensive doesnt mean good.
so far my maid has been a blessing to me, of course sometimes there are teething problems but nothing that are too big to solve.
Any country has good and bad maids, but since you're a catholic maybe best get filipino then can teach your kids bible songs
my maid is javanese same origin of my parents so she teaches Ike javanese words hahaaha..
Have a detailed contract signed by u and her in both language english and hers so she can't say she dunno what she agreed to, it must detail out what she gets in term of pay, holiday and day off inclusive timing, medical benefit etc, and what u expect her to do and her work hours also in detail.
Schedule - MUST - provide in 2 languages, english and hers - ask ur friend with the same origins with her to translate, I have one in bahasa indonesia.
Bed or Mattress -> mine I gave bed, but this depends on u lah
WHat u need to get before arrival -> exra set of keys if you gonna trust her, lots of ppl dont tho; place where she can have her rest & put her stuffs, preferably own room (this way u and family can maintain privacy, my maid goes to her room after 9.30pm then hubby and me can have our privacy)
Most importantly, tell the maid this is an employment, she must perform if not there's the door and you're not afraid in sending her back to her agent anytime (dont make her think u depend on her, even if I do will loose lots if I send her home, I still told her this - but she completed her contract with agent so i told her i will send her home

me mean )
Have a list of payment to her monthly signed by u and her as payment receipt, if the monies deducted already by the contract you still put in the form a remark saying deducted from contract S$ XXX that way she and you are clear when monies come. Let's face it we all work for monies and u dont want them to forget they have received payment , or we forget to pay them.
Let me know if you need help, i can send u my maid's contract done by myself (agent's one is useless cos too generic - only paper requirements to government) and her schedule.
From my parens experience they told me if the maid comes from farmer or fisherman family, they knwo the meaning of hardwork. if the parents own a small shop or income depending on fruits harvesting, usu they're not hardworking heehehehe.. get this info during interview.