10 Questions to Ask Your Future Host Family
Print this and bring it to your video interview. Take notes in the space provided.
1. About the Children
Can you tell me about a typical day with your children? What are their favorite activities, foods, and routines?
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2. About My Working Hours
What's a normal week like in terms of childcare hours? Are there evenings or weekends when you regularly need help?
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3. About Time Off
How will my time off work? Will I have one full weekend a month? Can I plan trips?
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4. About Living Arrangements
Can I see photos of the room I'd be staying in? Will I have my own bathroom or shared? Internet access?
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5. About Driving
Will I need to drive the children? If so, do you have a separate car for me, and is the insurance covered?
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6. About House Rules
What are your house rules? Smoking, visitors, curfew, social media use, food in the room?
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7. About Discipline & Childcare Style
How do you handle discipline with the children? How would you like me to handle conflicts or tantrums?
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8. About Food & Diet
What kind of food does the family eat? Are there any dietary restrictions or allergies I should know about?
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9. About Language & Cultural Exchange
Do you expect me to speak English (or the local language) at home? Will you help me practice?
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10. About Trial Period & Notice
What happens if either of us decides this isn't working out? Is there a trial period? What's the notice period?
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💡 Pro Tips
- • Use the children's actual names in your questions, not "the kids"
- • Ask to meet the children on camera at some point during the call
- • Request to speak with their previous au pair if possible
- • Trust your gut — if something feels off, it probably is
- • Don't accept on the first call — sleep on it