Your daily routine with your host family:
What do they expect from you?
What will your daily life be like in this family?
What will your duties be?
What are the family's habits and hobbies?
What do they do on their weekends?
Are you expected to prepare meals for the children?
Ask the parents what you should know about their children: are there any particular hobbies, friends, special characters? What are their preferred meals and games? Is there anything else you need to bear in mind?
Will you go on trips together?
Our tip:
You should suggest to your host family to prepare a schedule for your stay which includes all important details, such as duties, dates and free time.
Basic conditions for your au pair stay:
When will you usually be working?
When will your host parents be working?
Will you be expected to babysit in the evenings? If so, how often?
On which days and evenings will you have some time off?
How far is the nearest city from your host family's home?
Can it easily be reached by public transport?
Are you expected to be a good car driver?
What and when do they typically eat?
Does the family follow a special diet?
Will they take you with them on their holidays? If so: what will be your tasks during that time?
Will you have your own room?
Will you need your own laptop in order to use the Internet?
How much pocket money will you receive each month?
Have they considered taking out an au pair insurance policy for you or will your own health insurance provide full coverage throughout your stay in your host country?
When will be the best time for you to attend a language course?
Will your host family be able to help you find the right language course?
Who will pay for it?
Are there more au pairs close to your host family's home?
Our tip:
You should include all details you agree upon in your contract. This will help you prevent misunderstandings and pave the way for a successful au pair stay.
Experiences with au pairs:
Why has the family decided to host an au pair?
Are you the family's first au pair? If not, you can ask for the phone numbers or e-mail addresses of their former au pairs to find out more about their stay with this family.