Host family guide
A practical guide for host families who want to welcome an au pair with more calm, clarity and confidence. Find decision guides, matching resources, first-week tips, house rules, routines, privacy questions, safety tools, kids activities and local life ideas in one place.
This guide is written for real family life: busy mornings, young children, changing schedules, different expectations, privacy in your own home and the need for kind but clear communication. Use it to decide whether an au pair fits your family, prepare before arrival and keep everyday home life easier after the first week.
Before you choose an au pair
Start here if you are still deciding whether an au pair is right for your family. These resources help you compare childcare options, think through privacy and understand what hosting an au pair really means in daily family life.
Matching and preparation
A good match should feel warm, realistic and values-aligned. These resources help host families prepare their profile, ask better questions, compare possible matches and check expectations before saying yes.
Au Pair Matching Guide
Browse all matching preparation resources in one place, from profiles and video calls to questions and red flags.
Open →Au Pair Matching Starter Pack
A free preparation pack with profile checklists, interview questions, video call notes and red flags.
Open →How to create a great host family profile
A practical profile guide for host families, with tips on honesty, routines, meals, childcare expectations and family life.
Open →Au Pair Interview Questions for Host Families
Questions host families can ask to understand childcare style, routines, expectations, independence and family fit.
Open →How to prepare for your first au pair video call
A calmer way to prepare for the first video call with a possible match.
Open →What to discuss before saying yes
Practical topics to discuss before confirming an au pair match.
Open →How to know if an au pair match feels right
A values-based guide for checking whether a match feels warm, realistic and clear.
Open →How to compare two au pair or host family matches
A practical way to compare two possible matches without only relying on a first impression.
Open →What to do if you have doubts before matching
How to slow down, ask better questions and check concerns before saying yes to a match.
Open →How to handle an au pair rematch
A practical and respectful guide to rematch conversations, emotions, children and next steps.
Open →Host family rematch: how to find a new au pair
A practical guide for host families dealing with childcare uncertainty and looking for a better next match.
Open →Red flags before matching
A practical guide to warning signs before saying yes to an au pair or host family match.
Open →How to follow up after an au pair video call
A guide to following up clearly after a video call, including what to clarify before the next step.
Open →Matching tools and checklists
Use these tools when you want something practical to fill in, print or keep next to you during profile preparation, interviews and video calls.
Free Host Family Profile Checklist
A practical checklist to help host families explain their home, routines, children and expectations clearly.
Open →Free Host Family Interview Checklist
A checklist for host families preparing thoughtful interview questions and practical topics.
Open →First Video Call Notes Template
A simple notes template for comparing conversations and remembering important details.
Open →Free Red Flags Match Clarity Checklist
A practical checklist for noticing red flags, unclear expectations and match concerns before saying yes.
Open →Free Au Pair Interview Checklist
Questions and preparation prompts for au pairs and host families before matching.
Open →Free Au Pair Profile Checklist
Useful when reviewing au pair profiles or helping compare profile completeness and clarity.
Open →First week, routines and house rules
The first week sets the tone. Clear routines help your au pair understand how your family works: mornings, meals, school runs, naps, activities, screen time, bedtime and how to ask for help.
How to welcome your au pair in the first week
A calm first-week guide for host families and au pairs, with routines, expectations and practical details.
Open →Au Pair First Week Checklist
A simple checklist to help families and au pairs start with clearer routines, expectations and practical information.
Open →House rules that feel kind, not cold
Practical tips for creating house rules that feel clear, warm and respectful.
Open →Tools & printables
Browse templates, checklists and printable tools that make family routines easier to explain.
Open →Safety and practical family information
Clear safety information should be easy to find before anything goes wrong. Emergency contacts, allergies, addresses, routines and decision rules help everyone feel calmer.
What to include in your au pair emergency sheet
A guide to the details that matter most in an emergency sheet for au pairs and host families.
Open →Tools & printables
Find emergency sheets, routine cards, checklists and templates for everyday family life.
Open →Routine Cards for Kids
Printable visual routine cards to help young children follow daily rhythms and transitions.
Open →Au Pair First Week Checklist
A practical checklist for sharing important routines, contacts, rules and family information during the first week.
Open →Children, activities and daily life
Young children need simple rhythms, clear transitions and realistic activities. These pages help host families and au pairs create calmer days with indoor ideas, outdoor play, visual routines and child-friendly plans.
Kids activities
Browse rainy day ideas, outdoor mini play, themed activities and practical tools for young children.
Open →What to do with kids on very hot days
Practical hot-weather ideas for children, including water play, calm indoor activities, sunscreen, shade and drinking tips.
Open →Rainy day activities with kids in The Hague
Indoor ideas for wet days, including libraries, museums, play cafés, baking, crafts and calm activities.
Open →Outdoor mini play
Easy outdoor ideas for short local outings, beach play and simple activities for young children.
Open →World Cup activities for kids
Simple football-themed activities, crafts and play ideas for young children during the World Cup.
Open →Routine Cards for Kids
Use simple visual routine cards to make everyday transitions calmer and easier for children to follow.
Open →Helping your au pair settle locally
If your au pair feels more settled locally, everyday family life often becomes easier too. Local guides can help with free time, language, sport, transport, rainy days and simple child-friendly outings.
The Hague city guide
A practical city guide for au pairs and host families, with kids activities, rainy days, language, sport and transport ideas.
Open →Things to do for au pairs in The Hague
Find cafés, beaches, parks, social ideas, language practice, sport and weekend trips.
Open →Language courses in The Hague for au pairs
Find Dutch classes, Kickstart School, Taalhuis, library practice, courses and social language cafés.
Open →Sports memberships in The Hague for au pairs
A guide to gyms, running clubs, swimming, yoga, padel, trial passes and flexible sport options.
Open →Running in The Hague and Scheveningen
Find social runs, clubs and easy running ideas near the beach, parks and city centre.
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