Host Family Tips - Interview Questions

I always suggest sending an email first as an introduction and asking a good time to call.  Some au pairs do not have regular email, so if you don't hear from her, call anyway.  It is nice to tell the au pair some about your family (since she is limited as to the information she has gotten) so that she can ask some appropriate questions about you.

Why do you want to be an au pair?

Will this be your first time away from home?  Do you think you will feel homesick?

What will be the most difficult part of your year?

What do you do in your free time?

What are your plans when you return home?

What are some of the things you want to do while your here?

What age children have you cared for?

What were your responsibilities?

What do you like most about caring for children?  What do you like least?

What will you do if the children won't listen?

How long have you been driving?  Where? How often?  How do you feel about driving in this area?

What would you do if the baby is sleeping?

What activities do you do with my age children?

What activities would you do if it were raining?

How would you react if my child says "But Mommy and Daddy let me do it"?

Also think of things that are specific to your children, family and area.  If there was something on the application that gave you hesitation or you weren't sure about, ASK.

Au Pair Tips - What Families Love

What Host Parents Love:

 

Au Pairs who:

a.       Are cheerful and talkative – ones who tell them about themselves and about what they do with the kids

b.      Ask questions – ask if they are doing a good job, and if there is anything they need to improve on.

c.       Do things without having to be asked.  They do everything they are supposed to do without having to be reminded and even anticipate host parent’s and children’s needs.

d.        Occasionally do extra things they are not required to do (ie. Cleaning up a room in the house, vacuuming out the car or helping out with the kids when it isn’t your official time to work).  Usually these “extras” are appreciated and you will see host families doing extra for you too.

 

Host Family Tips - Education Options

The U.S. Department of State requires that all au pairs must complete 6 credits (or its equivalent if it is a non-credit course) at an accredited post-secondary institution over the course of their year in the U.S. Host families are responsible for contributing up to $500 of this cost. Host families are also responsible for facilitating enrollment, providing reasonable time off and transportation so that their au pair can attend these courses.

While au pairs are excited to enroll in classes because of their exposure to the American education system and to other young people, they often find the credit system, course selections, and enrollment process confusing and expensive. Families should talk to their local representative, who will help them in researching the au pair's options in the community and assists the au pair in selecting and enrolling in classes that meet this requirement. I recommend that you begin this discussion with your representative and au pair soon after the au pair arrives.

If the au pair wants to stay a 2nd year, they will have to fulfill all of the educational requirements the 1st year to be allowed to renew their Visa.

At this time au pairs are NOT allowed to take:

• 
  
  Online or distance learning courses (including hybrid courses)
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  Study tours such as Trek America
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  Volunteering
• 
  
  Internships

Since I've been doing this for 6 years, I've seen lots of changes with the au pair education options, and I'm sure we will continue to see more.  Check with your local representative to see what type of classes are available in your area.