How to Select an Au Pair

Selecting an Au Pair can be a difficult process. Unlike the neighborhood babysitter, Au Pairs come from other countries. You must rely upon an agency to find an Au Pair that will your families needs. You will also need to interview the Au Pair to ensure compatibility. This article will explain a few steps you can take to select a Au Pair for your family.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 
    

   Locate a Au Pair Agency. There are many Au Pair agencies available in either the telephone book or online web sites.
   You will want to talk to a few agencies to learn about the following:
   - services offered by the agency
   - how they match families to au pairs
   - costs
   - support
   - geographic location of the au pairs they place
   Also, find out if there are families in your community that are using Au Pairs. Ask them which agency they use, what advice they would give to a new family, what are pros and cons to an Au Pair arrangement.

2. 
    

   Carefully review all applications received from the Au Pair agency. You will want to review for the following:
   - past experience
   - age group that au pair has cared for
   - length of time with families
   - indications if they smoke and/or drink
   - personal essay
   This information will prepare you for the interview with the Au Pair.

3. After reviewing the applications and prior to the interview, prepare a list of questions that you will ask the au pair. The questions should be specific to your families needs and lifestyle. The questions should cover the following topics:
   - is the au pair active and outgoing (ie, your kids are into sports and need to be driven to games).
   - is the au pair comfortable becoming a part of your family or are they looking at this as a strict business arrangement (ie, au pairs do live in your house).
   - is there a language barrier. Do you know more then one language? Does the au pair know more then one language?
   - will the au pairs lifestyle activity match your families lifestyle activities
   - what are the au pairs long term plans
   - what are the au pairs education plans
   - has the au pair traveled outside their country and to where
   - does the au pair drive. What is their driving experience.

4. Request an interview with the Au Pair(s) you selected from the applications. Due to cross-country locations, you will have to use phone, email, web cam, etc for your interview process. These methods present a limitation in that they are not face to face. You should use as many methods as you deem necessary in order to feel comfortable prior to making a decision.

5. After you have identified an au pair, contact the au pair agency. There must be a mutual acceptance by you and the au pair. Arrange for a time for the au pair to start.

Tips & Warnings

• Do enough research to help you make an informed decision.
• There are times when things will not work out and you have to change au pairs.
• Allow for a transition period for your family and the au pair to adapt to one another.

Resources

• Au Pair International
• International Au Pair Association
• Au Pair

[ceholmes]

on 7/23/2009 never even heard of Au Pair before. You learn something new everyday. thanks for sharing! 5*

[dorigillman]

on 7/15/2009 i am glad i didn't deal with this. good tips