How to Create a Great Host Family Profile

Start with who you are as a family

Begin with a short, warm introduction. Mention who lives in the home, the children’s ages, where you live and what family life usually feels like. Keep it real and specific.

For example, instead of writing “we are a busy family,” explain what that means. Do mornings start early? Are weekends full of sports? Do the children need help getting to school or activities? These details help an au pair imagine daily life in your home.

Describe the children honestly

Your profile should give a clear picture of the children. Share their ages, personalities, interests and routines. It is also helpful to mention what they may need support with.

• Are they shy or outgoing?
• Do they need help with transitions or mornings?
• Do they enjoy crafts, sports, reading or outdoor play?
• Are there allergies, routines or sensitivities to know?
• What usually helps when they are tired or upset?

This does not need to be too private. The goal is simply to help the right person understand what kind of childcare rhythm your family has.

Explain the daily routine

A strong profile gives a practical picture of a normal weekday. This is often more useful than general descriptions such as “we need help with the children.”

Include school or daycare times, afternoon activities, mealtimes, bedtime routines and any regular moments when you expect help. If your routine changes each week, say that too.

Clarity at this stage helps both sides prepare better questions for a first video call.

Be clear about tasks and expectations

Write down the kind of help you are looking for in simple, practical language. Keep the focus on childcare and light family support, and avoid vague phrases that can mean different things to different people.

• Helping children get ready in the morning
• School or activity pick-ups
• Preparing simple children’s meals
• Tidying up after children’s activities or meals
• Helping with children’s laundry or bags, if relevant
• Occasional evening babysitting, if relevant

If something is important to your family, mention it kindly and clearly. A warm profile can still have clear boundaries.

Explain how involved you expect the au pair to be in family life

It is also helpful to describe how you see the au pair’s place in everyday family life. Some families hope their au pair will feel very much part of the household: eating dinner together, joining relaxed family moments and being included in normal family routines. Other families have a more independent rhythm, where the au pair has more separate time and may often prepare or eat meals at a different moment.

Neither approach has to be wrong, but it should be clear. For example, “we usually eat dinner together at the table and would love our au pair to join us when she wants to” gives a very different impression from “our evenings are usually separate and the au pair often prepares her own meal.” These are quite different family experiences, so it is better to explain this gently and honestly in your profile.

Try to be specific about meals, weekends, family outings and downtime. Is the au pair always welcome to join dinner, but also free to have privacy? Do you hope she joins some family outings, or do you usually keep weekends separate? A clear explanation helps avoid awkward expectations later and makes it easier for both sides to understand whether the family rhythm feels right.

Show what life outside the tasks looks like

An au pair will also want to understand what living with your family may feel like. Include practical details about the room, bathroom, transport options, language classes, local area and free time.

• What is the au pair room like?
• Is the bathroom private or shared?
• Can the au pair use a bike?
• Is public transport nearby?
• Is there space for privacy and rest?
• What is the neighbourhood like?

Add photos that help tell the story

Photos help make a profile feel real. Choose warm, everyday photos rather than only perfect holiday pictures. Useful photos might include your family, the children doing normal activities, the au pair room, the street or neighbourhood, and places nearby that matter in daily life.

Avoid sharing anything too private or anything you would not want online. The aim is to give a realistic first impression.

Keep the tone warm, but honest

A good host family profile should feel welcoming without overpromising. You do not need to say that everything is always easy. Real family life includes busy mornings, tired children and changing plans.

The best profiles usually sound kind, practical and clear. They help someone decide whether your family rhythm could suit them.

Final thoughts

A great host family profile does not need to be long or perfect. It needs to be useful. The more clearly you describe daily life, the easier it becomes to have a good first conversation and ask the right questions.