There is a lot of information you should know before you agree to work as an Au Pair for a host family. Before I became an Au Pair, I had no idea what I should have known about potential host families, my contract, or the specific job related tasks. You can search for the answers to these questions while reading through a host family profile or asking them during an interview. This post will provide you with over 100 questions that you should know the answers to, so that you can have a successful experience as an Au Pair.

107 Questions to Ask Your Au Pair Host Family

Questions About the Host Family

To properly choose a host family, you should know about their personalities and daily life. These questions will help you find things you have in common and rule out habits you may not be okay living with.

1. What are the parents looking for in an Au Pair?
2. What do the parents do for a living?
3. Will either of the parents be working from home at any point?
4. What is the host child/children looking for in an Au Pair?
5. Has the family had an Au Pair before?
6. What are some household rules everyone is expected to follow?
7. How old are the kids / what grade are they in?
8. What are the kids personalities like?
9. What are the kids hobbies? What do they do in their free time?
10. How much screen time do the children get?
11. What activities does the entire family enjoy doing together?
12. What are the family traditions? (i.e. holidays, weekly dinners, etc…)
13. Do the kids speak English? If not, what language(s) do they use at home?
14. Do they have any pets?
15. How do the parents handle discipline?
16. Who will carry out discipline?
17. Does anyone in the household smoke?
18. Does anyone in the family drink?
19. Is the family religious?
20. If so, will you need to attend church with them?
21. Are there any important medical details you should be aware of? (i.e. allergies, mobility issues, etc…)

Questions About Your Schedule

Knowing the little details about your work schedule will help you plan your days off and reveal some tasks and responsibilities you may not have considered.

1. What is the earliest/latest date they would need you to arrive in country?
2. How long are they looking for an Au Pair for? If you are a good match, is it possible to extend?
3. Would you have a few days to settle in before starting work?
4. How many days a week do you work?
5. When are your days off? Are they consistent?
6. How many hours will you work per week?
7. What time will you start and end each day?
8. What does a normal work day look like for you?
9. Is the schedule set in stone or will you have room to improvise?
10. Will you be needed for the holidays, or can you to go home?
11. Are there any school/work holidays that will effect your work schedule?
12. Is it possible to arrange a 3-day weekend every few months?
13. Can they work around your class schedule?
14. Will you be joining them during family vacation(s) or family trips?

Questions About Your Responsibilities

Just because a family has a list of responsibilities already written out on their profile does not mean that it is completely up to date or that all the specifics are laid out. It is important to get clear expectations about what your job entails.

1. Will you be picking up/dropping off the kids from school?
2. If you are picking up/dropping off at school, how will you get there?
3. Are there after school or weekend activities you will need to bring them to?
4. Do you need to stay/attend these activities with them?
5. Will you be teaching your host kids English?
6. Are you expected to cook? What meals are you responsible for?
7. Are you in charge of or expected to help with the grocery shopping?
8. Are you expected to clean? If so, what are your specific duties?
9. Are you expected to do the laundry?
10. Will you be in charge of caring for the pets in any way?
11. Are you responsible for bath time?
12. Will you be putting the kids to sleep?
13. Will you be administering any medications for the kids?
14. When the kids have friends over will you be expected to babysit the group?
15. Are there any other tasks/responsibilities that will be expected of you that you have not touched on yet?

Questions About Your Living Situation

While room and board usually comes with the gig, it is important to know the details of your housing situation so that there are no surprises when you arrive. Here are some questions to help you figure this out.

If you are living in your host family’s house

1. Will you have your own room?
2. Where is your room located? (i.e. next to the kids, upstairs, etc..)
3. Can you view the room? (Over video call.)
4. Are you sharing a bathroom? If so, with who?
5. What amenities will you have access to in the house? (i.e. linens, kitchen appliances, etc…)
6. What rooms will you have access to? (i.e. common areas, family pool, study, etc…)
7. Will you be expected to follow a curfew?
8. Can you have friends over?
9. What rules can you establish to ensure the children respect your personal space?

If you are not living in the house

1. How far away is the room/apartment from the family’s home?
2. How will you get to and from their home? How far away is it?
3. Is rent and all utilities covered? (i.e. water, wifi, etc…)
4. How will meals/food work? Do you have access to a kitchen?
5. Where can you be expected to do laundry?
6. Can you have visitors stay over?

Questions About Food

Sometimes food can be an afterthought because there are a lot of little details people do not consider. But meals are something usually included when you are working as an Au Pair.

1. Will food, or a food budget, be provided for you?
2. How will you eat on your days off?
3. What kinds of meals (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) does the family normally eat?
4. What are their dietary restrictions/preferences?
5. Are you expected to follow their food preferences?
6. Are they able to accommodate any dietary restrictions you may have?
7. Are there any food items that you can not have in the house?
8. Can you eat in your room?

Money Questions

Money can be an uncomfortable subject for many people to talk about. However, it is something that needs to be done. As an Au Pair your normal paycheck is usually referred to as ‘pocket money’.

1. How much pocket money will you make?
2. How will you be paid? (i.e. cash, check, etc…)
3. When will you receive your pocket money? (i.e. weekly, monthly, etc…)
4. How will payment be adjusted if you take an extra day/weekend off?
5. Are you able to get an advancement on your first paycheck to help you get set up?

Questions About Getting Around

You probably wont be able to bring your own car with you. So how will you get around? Does the family have a car for you? Will you take the bus? Here is what to ask to find out…

1. Is the city/town walkable?
2. Is it safe to walk around alone at night?
3. Will there be a car available for you to use in your off time? (Or a bike?)
4. Does the family drive an automatic or stick shift?
5. Is gas/milage a factor?
6. What type of license will you need to legally drive in another country?
7. Are there public transportation options close by?
8. Does the family help with setting up public transportation? (i.e. a bus pass)

Questions About Location

You can do as much research as possible about where you are going and still not know the reality of the town you will be living in. Of course, the people who will know how to properly prepare you are the locals, aka: your perspective host family.

1. What is the neighborhood like?
2. Are there shops/areas/beaches/parks within walking distance of the house?
3. What are things in the area you will have access to in your off time?
4. Is English (or your language) common in the location the family lives in?
5. Are there any other Au Pairs they know around the area?
6. Is there an expat community in the city?
7. Are there language courses in the area that they know or recommend?

Questions to Show Your Interest

As much as you are interviewing your host family, they are also interviewing you. You should show that you are actually interested in the job by asking questions that directly relate to your interactions with the family.

1. I saw the kids are interested in basketball. Is there a court nearby I can take them to?
2. One your goals is for me to teach the kids English. What are their learning styles I should know to best teach them?
3. My favorite holiday/celebration here in the USA is Halloween. Are you comfortable with me sharing my traditions with the family and teaching the kids how we celebrate them?
4. One thing I am really hoping to do with the kids is spend time outside in the park. Is this something I will be able to do and that they would be interested in?
5. You mentioned that your family loves to visit the beach on Saturdays. Is this family bonding time or would I be able to join you?

Next Step Questions

If you are comfortable with all the details and are ready to move on to the next step in the interview/decision making process, here are some questions to move you in that direction.

1. Is there anything in my resume/profile that I can clarify for you?
2. When is a good time for me to meet the kids over facetime/zoom?
3. Is there anything we have not talked about that I should know?
4. Would it be possible to do a house tour next time we talk?
5. Is there something that you and your previous Au Pair did that worked really well, or that you really liked?
6. Is there something your previous Au Pair did that did not work well or that you would like to see changed moving forward?
7. Do you have a past Au Pair I can contact as a reference?
8. How many other Au Pairs are you considering at this time?
9. When is a good time to speak again?

Conclusion

There are tons of questions you can ask your host family to make sure you are a good match and understand each-other’s expectations. Hopefully this list gave you some questions to ask that will help you find the answers you are looking for. Have you worked as an Au Pair? What are some things you wished you knew before taking the job? Please let me know in the comments below!