Choosing an Au Pair

An Au pair is a young person aged between 18 -28, who live with a host Family abroad, for a period of 2 months and up to 2 Year, in order to improve on the English language and to experience new cultures. Families should note that Au Pairs are not normally trained child minders. It is at the families own discretion and risk if they leave the Children in the sole care of an Au Pair

Duties of an Au Pair usually include, helping to take care of children, dressing, helping with breakfast, lunches, evening meals, swimming, walking or driving to play school or nursery, babysitting etc. They may also assist with light household duties, dusting, ironing vacuuming, and simple cooking.


When choosing your Au Pair, if possible arrange to meet face-to-face. However as many are living abroad, interviews may take place over the phone. If you can, avail of the Skype facility on your computer which allows you and the prospective au pair to see each other with the use of a web camera.

When chatting with candidates

• describe your family situation, child-rearing priorities, methods of discipline, and your children's routines.
  
  
• ask open-ended questions that will allow the au pair to talk freely. An example would be, "You care for three children now; tell me about them." Don't be worried about silence after you ask such a question. It shows that she is thinking. (If she hasn’t cared for children in a fulltime capacity before, ask about here babysitting experience.
  
  
• How she describes the children she has cared for and her relationships with them can tell you a lot about her feelings toward children, her ability to empathize and bond, and the type of children with which she feels most confident. If she elaborates on particular incidents with children, you will gain insights into how she reacts and responds to different kinds of situations and problems. Ask her to describe specifically a problem she has had with a child. What she says will convey a lot about what she considers a problem, how she accepts responsibility, how she reacts under stress, her judgmental skills, and her compassion.
  
  
• Ask her to tell you something about her family and friends. Does she describe them lovingly, humorously? Does she have long-term relationships? What does she enjoy doing? How does she react to and cope with problems?
  
  
• Ask her to describe activities and pursuits she enjoys. Is she an indoor or outdoors type? Has she pursued a challenging activity or sport? Is she cheerful? Is she open to new situations? This is your opportunity to assess the au pairs characteristics and qualities against the needs of your children.
  
  
• Ask her to describe herself. Is she a morning person (very important if she will care for your children early in the day)? Is she easygoing and flexible (a must if your children are very small)?

Questions for your Au Pair

We have compiled a list of questions you might like to ask a possible Au pair.