Questions to Ask an Au Pair When Hiring

It can be quite challenging to contemplate entrusting your children into someone else’s care, and finding the right person for that job is a serious matter not to mention finding the right questions to ask an au pair when hiring. We hope this resource hopes you compile a list of questions that will give you peace of mind in knowing you are hiring the right au pair for the right home.

The main aims in interviewing a potential au pair would be to find out:

• Whether they are suitably experienced and qualified to be entrusted with the care of your children.
• Whether they are willing and able to take on all of the responsibilities you want to assign them.
• Whether they are a good fit for your family and in particular your children.
• Whether they can provide your children with the safety, care, stimulation, support and love that they need.

To help meet these aims, we’ve put together some of the main questions you can ask a potential au pair. They cover some key areas, from personal information to particular tasks and duties. They can also be a great starting point for further exploration, asking follow-up questions based on their responses to find out more about the au pair’s experience, personality, preferences, and so on.

General au pair information

• How long are you available to work for?
• When are you available to start?
• Do you already have a visa?
• What hours are you willing to work and are you able to work any evenings or weekends?
• Do you intend to go out in the evenings and go away at the weekends or will you be mainly based at home?
• Do you want to be fully part of the family or do you like to have your own space?
• Would you feel comfortable living away from home and settling into our home?
• Do you plan to take any trips home or elsewhere?
• Do you already have any friends or family in Australia?
• Why do you want to come and live and work in Australia?
• What is your long-term career goal?

Personal information

• Why do you want to be an au pair?
• What do you like most about working with children?
• What do children like most about you?
• What is your family background?
• What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
• What types of things to you like to do in your spare time?
• What are your plans or expectations for while you’re in Australia?

Experience and skills ideal for an au pair

• Do you have previous experience working with children?
• Have you worked with children of this age before?
• Have you worked as an au pair before?
• Do you have any references?
• What educational level do you have?
• Do you have any other training or qualifications?
• Do you hold First Aid and CPR Certificates?
• Are you an experienced driver and do you have a valid licence to drive in Australia?

Caring for the kids

• What do you think are the main responsibilities for looking after children?
• How would you handle a crying baby/child?
• What are your methods for settling and comforting children?
• Are you experienced with bottle feeding and sterilising?
• Are you comfortable with changing nappies/getting children dressed/giving children baths/toilet training?
• How would you get the children to listen to you and do what you ask?
• How would you discipline a child?
• How could you make my children feel appreciated and special?
• What would you do if you were faced with an emergency situation?

Duties and tasks

• Are you happy with the work schedule and the hours we need an au pair for?
• Are you willing to help out with household chores?
• Can you oversee the children doing their own chores?
• Are you able to prepare meals for the children? What kind of food can you make?
• Can you take the children to and from kindy/school?
• Can you help the children with their homework?
• What activities would you do with the children?
• Are you happy to take the children to their extra-curricular activities/to the park/on outings?
• Will you make sure the children follow family rules regarding chores, homework, snacking, screen time, bed time, etc?

And finally …

• What questions do you have for me?

Because they also need to know that you’re the best fit for each other.

For more ideas, you can also check out How to Interview a Babysitter.