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House Rules Template

Create a house rules sheet that feels clear, warm and practical. Choose from friendly example sentences, add your family details and download a filled PDF. The goal is to explain how your home works, not to make your au pair feel restricted.

Build a kind house rules sheet

Choose the examples that fit your family and skip anything that does not. Many rules include dropdowns or blank spaces inside the sentence, so you can create a finished version without writing everything from scratch.

Family details

Children and general safety

Choose the safety rules that fit your home. Some families prefer very strict rules, while others allow more independence depending on age and situation.

The children be left alone at home or in another room unless we have clearly agreed this in advance.
At playgrounds, the children stay where the au pair can see them clearly.
The au pair tell us about accidents, bumps, falls or difficult moments, even if everything seems fine afterwards.
The au pair give medicine to the children without checking with us first.
If the au pair is unsure whether something is safe, they should .
Our extra safety rule is: .

Bikes, helmets and transport

Dutch cycling habits differ per family. Use these rules to make expectations around helmets, bakfiets rides and independent cycling very concrete.

The children wear a helmet when they ride their own bike.
The children wear a helmet when they sit on the au pair’s bike.
The children wear a helmet in the bakfiets / cargo bike.
The children wear a helmet in a bike seat on an adult bike.
The children cycle independently next to the au pair.
New bike routes be practised together before the au pair cycles them alone with the children.
The au pair may cycle with the children up to .
The au pair use public transport with the children.

Screen time

Make screen-time rules specific enough that the au pair does not have to guess. You can choose strict, flexible or exception-based rules.

During au pair childcare time, screens are .
The children may have of screen time on a normal day.
The children may watch or use only these shows/apps: .
Screens during meals are .
Screens before bedtime are .
When screen time ends, the au pair should give warning first.
On sick days, screen time is .

Photos, social media and privacy

Be precise about photos, sharing, tagging and locations. This helps protect children and avoids awkward misunderstandings.

The au pair post photos or videos of the children on social media.
The au pair send photos of the children privately to friends or family.
Photos in the family WhatsApp or directly to parents are .
Photos of other children from school, daycare, sports or playdates be shared.
The au pair share live locations, school names, home address or routines online.
The au pair tag the family, children, school or home location online.
Photo/social media exception: .

Curfew, nights out and guests

Families differ a lot here. Choose what feels respectful of the au pair’s independence and your household rhythm.

On nights before working days, the au pair be home by .
On weekends or free nights, the au pair be home by .
If the au pair comes home late, they send a message.
The house should be quiet after .
Sleepovers outside the home are .
Guests in the house are .
Overnight guests are .

Phone, car and household appliances

These are common sources of confusion. Choose clear options for phone use, driving, appliances and shared household items.

During active childcare, the au pair use their phone for personal messages.
The au pair may use their phone for practical things such as .
The au pair use the family car.
The au pair use household appliances such as the washing machine, dryer, oven or coffee machine.
Shared family items, such as bikes, strollers or sports items, .

Food, snacks and allergies

Food rules should be safe, clear and easy to follow during busy days.

The au pair check allergy and food instructions before giving new food.
Snacks that are always okay are: .
Snacks that need permission first are: .
If the children do not eat much, the au pair .
If the au pair cooks for the children, meals should be .

Light household tasks

Keep this specific, fair and connected to daily family life.

The au pair help with light household tasks related to the children.
Children’s laundry is .
Tidying toys after play is .
After preparing food, the au pair .
Heavy cleaning and tasks unrelated to the children are .

Communication and check-ins

These options make the sheet feel like a shared guide instead of a cold list of rules.

Questions are , especially in the first weeks.
Daily updates should be shared by .
We will have check-ins .
If something goes wrong, we prefer .

Optional extra notes

Use this only for details that are truly specific to your family, such as allergies, school pick-up details, pets or important routines.

Download blank PDF