Curated by Clara

What is an au pair?

An au pair is a young person, typically from a foreign country, who lives with a host family to help with childcare, light household duties, and language practice in exchange for room, board, and a small stipend. The arrangement is often part of a cultural exchange, allowing the au pair to experience life in a different country, learn the language, and explore local customs. The host family benefits by receiving affordable childcare support while sharing their culture with the au pair. This setup is ideal for college students or new graduates who have a few free months when they’d like to live in a new country.

Requirements – Before you begin your search, let’s make sure au pairing is the right fit for you!

• You love kids! A large portion of your week will be spent with the children, so it’s essential that you genuinely enjoy a nannying role.
• You have relevant experience. The experience will be much better for both you and the host family if you have some past experience with childcare and the typical associated tasks.
• You have an open mind. Moving to a new country without any friends or family can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to keep an open mind about meeting new people and saying “yes” to opportunities and adventures as they come along.

Where to find your host family:

1. Au Pair World (this is what I used)
   • This website operates a bit like a dating site! You create your profile and set your preferences (country, number of children, duration, dates), and host families do the same.
   • The site will then present you with families that match your criteria, allowing you to read their profiles and decide if you’d like to reach out to them.
   • This website is completely free for au pairs, but host families need to pay a subscription fee.
2. Au Pair Care
   • This site is an example of an agency—the au pair will need to pay a fee to receive more hands-on support with finding a host family and, if necessary, assistance with applying for a visa.

What next?

When you find a host family that you like, the next step is to set up a video call with them.

Here are some questions you should be prepared for:

1. Describe your childcare experience
2. Why do you want to come to ___?
3. Do you have any knowledge of our language?
4. What do you like to do? (Hobbies, interests, what are you studying)

What you should ask them (*this is so important!!*)

1. What are the time expectations for childcare a week?
2. Which days of the week do I get off?
3. Do you have a train station located near your home?
4. Will I be provided with a car or bike?
5. Is your home centrally located to town?
6. Does your family have any dietary restrictions?
7. What types of food does your family typically eat?
8. Tell me about your kids! (their names, ages, interests, and personalities)
9. Describe to me a typical day in your family
10. What do the parents do for work?
11. How much pocket money do they provide a week/month?
12. Will I have my own room and bathroom? (ask for photos)

Make sure to video chat with a few different families and meet with your favorites multiple times before committing!

What happens after you say yes?

• Your family should provide you with an au pair contract. Having an au pair contract is essential because it sets clear expectations and responsibilities for both the au pair and the host family, helping to prevent misunderstandings. It also ensures that both parties understand terms like working hours, days off, and financial arrangements, making the experience smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved!
• Determine if you need a visa. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you won’t need a visa if you plan to stay in a European Union country for less than three months. However, if you stay longer than three months, a visa is required. The visa application process varies by country, but a quick Google search will guide you.
• If your host family is providing you with a car, you’ll need an international driver’s permit (IDP) — don’t worry, this is a simple process!
  • Find your nearest AAA (American Automobile Association) location online and fill out the international driver’s permit (IDP) form.
  • Print your form and bring it, along with two passport photos, to AAA.
  • The permit costs $20.

How to Prepare

• Practice the country’s language on apps like Duolingo and Babbel
• Join Facebook au pair groups!
  • You can find these by searching group names like “au pairs in Italy” or “Au Pair Girls in ___”
  • I started messaging other au pairs months before I actually went to Italy so I could build a community, get advice, and even start planning weekend trips together!

So much more to come relating to tips and tricks for au pairs but that’s all for now! Let me know if you have any questions about the process!