Questions to Ask an Au Pair
Important questions to ask when interviewing au pairs to ensure you find the right match for your family's needs, values, and childcare requirements.
1What's your experience with children, and what age groups have you worked with?
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What's your experience with children, and what age groups have you worked with?
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Why this works
Understanding their experience helps you assess if they're qualified to care for your children's specific age group and needs.
2What's your approach to discipline and behavior management, and how do you handle challenging situations?
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What's your approach to discipline and behavior management, and how do you handle challenging situations?
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Why this works
Learning about their discipline philosophy helps ensure their approach aligns with your family's values and parenting style.
3What activities do you enjoy doing with children, and what would you like to do with our kids?
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What activities do you enjoy doing with children, and what would you like to do with our kids?
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Why this works
Understanding their activity preferences helps you assess if they'll engage your children in appropriate, enjoyable activities.
4What's your experience with meal planning and preparation, and do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences?
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What's your experience with meal planning and preparation, and do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences?
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Why this works
Learning about their meal experience helps ensure they can handle your family's dietary needs and preferences.
5What's your approach to homework help and educational support, and what subjects are you comfortable with?
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What's your approach to homework help and educational support, and what subjects are you comfortable with?
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Why this works
Understanding their educational support abilities helps ensure they can help with your children's academic needs.
6What's your experience with household tasks, and what are you comfortable helping with around the house?
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What's your experience with household tasks, and what are you comfortable helping with around the house?
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Why this works
Learning about their household experience helps ensure they can handle the domestic responsibilities you need help with.
7What's your approach to safety and emergency situations, and do you have any relevant training or certifications?
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What's your approach to safety and emergency situations, and do you have any relevant training or certifications?
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Why this works
Understanding their safety knowledge helps ensure they can handle emergencies and keep your children safe.
8What's your communication style, and how do you prefer to stay in touch with parents about the children?
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What's your communication style, and how do you prefer to stay in touch with parents about the children?
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Why this works
Learning about their communication preferences helps ensure you can maintain good contact and stay informed about your children.
9What's your experience with cultural exchange, and what are you hoping to learn from your time with our family?
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What's your experience with cultural exchange, and what are you hoping to learn from your time with our family?
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Why this works
Understanding their cultural exchange goals helps ensure they're interested in learning about your culture and sharing theirs.
10What's your approach to screen time and technology use, and how do you balance it with other activities?
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What's your approach to screen time and technology use, and how do you balance it with other activities?
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Why this works
Learning about their technology approach helps ensure they can manage your children's screen time according to your preferences.
11What's your experience with special needs or learning differences, and how do you adapt your approach?
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What's your experience with special needs or learning differences, and how do you adapt your approach?
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Why this works
Understanding their special needs experience helps ensure they can provide appropriate care if your children have specific requirements.
12What's your approach to conflict resolution between children, and how do you handle sibling disagreements?
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What's your approach to conflict resolution between children, and how do you handle sibling disagreements?
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Why this works
Learning about their conflict resolution skills helps ensure they can manage sibling relationships and disagreements effectively.
13What's your experience with transportation and driving, and are you comfortable with school pickups and activities?
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What's your experience with transportation and driving, and are you comfortable with school pickups and activities?
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Why this works
Understanding their transportation abilities helps ensure they can handle your children's transportation needs safely.
14What's your approach to bedtime routines and sleep schedules, and how do you handle sleep challenges?
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What's your approach to bedtime routines and sleep schedules, and how do you handle sleep challenges?
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Why this works
Learning about their sleep management helps ensure they can maintain your children's sleep routines and handle any sleep issues.
15What questions do you have about our family, our children, and what we're looking for in an au pair?
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What questions do you have about our family, our children, and what we're looking for in an au pair?
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Why this works
This question helps you understand their interest in your family and ensures they're asking thoughtful questions about the role.
Finding the Right Au Pair
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Effective Au Pair Interviewing
Be Clear About Expectations
Clearly communicate your family's needs, values, and expectations to ensure a good match.
Ask Follow-up Questions
Dig deeper into their responses to understand their experience and approach better.
Check References
Always check references from previous families to verify their experience and reliability.