Interested in the Au Pair vetting process? We’ve got you covered! We know choosing Au Pair child care is exciting, but it’s also a big decision. At Go Au Pair we strive to ensure Au Pair candidates are qualified and safe to provide child care. As a designated U.S. Department of State Au Pair program sponsor Go Au Pair follows a structured vetting process to verify each Au Pair candidate is ready, qualified, and safe to join with a Host Family.
In this article we give a behind the scenes look at how we screen Au Pairs so families can feel confident they are viewing well qualified candidates that are ready to safely care for their children.
It all starts with regulations
As mentioned above, Go Au Pair is a designated sponsor of the Au Pair program with the U.S Department of State (DOS). Au Pairs are required to fit fixed requirements set by the DOS in order to be considered for the Au Pair program.
Au Pair Requirements
- Between the ages of 18 and 26 years old
- Proficient in spoken English
- Secondary school graduate or equivalent
- Completion of a physical performed by a medical doctor to determine capability of fully participating in the program
- Personally interviewed in English by one of our program partners in Au Pair’s home country
- Must successfully pass a criminal background check
- Pass a personality and psychometric screening
- Must provide proof of child care experience through references
Go Au Pair works with our partners in the Au Pair’s home country who first ensure that each Au Pairs meet these core requirements.
Au Pair Application and Documents
After an Au Pair passes the initial screening they go through an in depth application process which includes multiple documents and in person screening.
The Au Pair Application
Au Pairs complete a detailed application that includes everything from “Why I want to be an Au Pair”, background information, driving experience, child care experiences, and beyond. the application includes:
- Personal details
- Personality details
- Hobbies and interests
- Lifestyle details
- Childcare experience
- Driving experience
- Education and achievements
- Special skills and certifications
- Mental and physical health details
- Background and family information
We ask Au Pairs every possible question so families can efficiently review an Au Pair and get a good idea of who a candidate is before moving on to review an Au Pairs qualifying documents more closely.
In Depth Documents
Candidates are required to complete in depth documents carefully compiled and provided by Go Au Pair. These documents provide families with important details of every aspect an Au Pair candidates qualifications and background. These documents are fully provided to families so they feel confident in Go Au Pair’s vetting process.
Required documentation includes:
- Two non-family Child Care References completed and signed by each reference
- Physicians Report completed by a qualified medical doctor
- Psychometric Screening
- Personality Screening
- Driver’s License
- Criminal Background Report
- Character Reference
- Evidence of completion of Secondary School or equivalent (high school or college diploma)
- “Dear Host Family” letter
- Photo Collage
- In Person Interview responses and English assessment
- Successful Placement Questionnaire
A great way to get to know an Au Pair better is by reading their “Dear Host Family” Letter and Successful Placement Questionnaire. These two documents give a good glimpse in to an Au Pair’s personality and lifestyle, which are two of the most important factors families should consider for an Au Pair in their home.
Optional documentation includes:
- Infant Care Verification
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Additional Child Care and Character References
- Certificates of Achievements
- Au Pair Video
While a video is not a required part of the Au Pair’s profile the majority of our candidates have a video included with their profile. Watching an Au Pair’s video is a good way to see an Au Pair’s personality shine and get a first impression of their English and communication skills.
Go Au Pair Verification
When an Au Pair candidate completes their application and required documents it’s time for an in depth vetting process. Our international partners contact all references to verify their legitimacy. They carefully review each document to ensure it is up to the Go Au Pair standard.
During this process they meet with the candidate in person to complete an interview which includes questions about their personal life, child care, lifestyle, and to determine their English communication proficiency. Each Au Pair candidate is given an English ranking between 1-5*, which Host families will see on an Au Pair’s profile.
English Rating Scale:
- Uses few or no English words; understands greetings and other basic, memorized phrases.
- Uses some English phrases though thoughts may be disconnected; understands basic English sentences when spoken clearly and slowly but relies on body language and facial expressions to determine meaning.
- Responds in complete thoughts and has a large vocabulary of everyday common terms. Can perform tasks based on a short series of instructions, takes short time to mentally translate and can understand complex sentences when repeated or rephrased.
- Responds in complete sentences and can re-word what he/she is saying when the meaning is unclear or when he/she cannot remember unusual vocabulary words. Can perform tasks based on complex instructions and understands others when they are speaking at a natural rate.
- Responds completely with more descriptive language and does not take time to mentally translate when listening or speaking. Understands conversations about abstract things.
*Go Au Pair typically only accepts Au Pairs with an English ranking of 3 or above.
Once our international partners complete their vetting of all documents Go Au Pair completes our own verification. We carefully read and review every document and each response on the application to verify every Au Pair candidate is a good fit for the Au Pair program. As a 30+ year industry expert Go Au Pair only allows well qualified candidates to become available for families to consider.
Au Pair Training
When an Au Pair matches they go through a vigorous 32 hour multi-media child care training and testing. This training helps them perfect their safety and child care skills for when they start their Au Pair adventure with your family.
This training goes through the fundamentals of:
- Safety
- Infant Safety
- Emergency drill and evacuation preparedness
- First Aid and injury evaluation
- Child development through the years
- Nutrition
- Sleep routine
- Child behavior challenges preparedness
This training and testing gives Au Pairs a jump start to being prepared to care for children specifically in the U.S. Host Families can feel secure knowing their Au Pair is ready and confident to care for their children.
Making your match
Reviewing Au Pair profiles can be a bit overwhelming, you may be unsure of where to start. Go Au Pair has multiple levels of support to help you through the vetting process.
Matching Specialist
Every Host Family receives the unique service of a Matching Specialist who recommends Au Pairs after closely vetting profiles using your child care needs. Your Matching Specialist will be in touch with you weekly by recommending Au Pairs and giving you a break down of why an Au Pair could be a great fit for your family.
Placement Coordinator
Your Placement Coordinator at Go Au Pair is your dedicated help from recommending Au Pair’s that meet your expectations to helping you through the matching steps. They assist with all the necessary paperwork and any questions to get your Au Pair match completed.
Your Au Pair is here...What now?
Go Au Pair doesn’t stop the vetting process once an Au Pair arrives it continues through the placement and beyond. Au Pairs and Host Families have the support of not only Go Au Pair headquarters but also their Local Area Representative (LAR). Your LAR has additional support from a regional LAR mentor who assists them along with Go Au Pairs headquarters for any need an Au Pair or Host Family could have.
Your LAR contacts your Au Pair within 2 days of their arrival to the U.S. and they perform an in home Orientation within the first few weeks for the Au Pair’s arrival. The Orientation provides the Host Family, Au Pair, and their LAR the opportunity to sit down and evaluate how everything is going right away and clears up any questions like:
- Department of State regulations
- Au Pair responsibilities
- House rules
- Communication logistics between Au Pair and Host Family
- Cultural events
- Au Pair education requirement
- Driving and Transportation
- What to do if there is an accident or illness
- Vacation and travel requirements
- The Au Pair community
The Orientation is the perfect opportunity for the Au Pair to get to know their support system and begin their introduction to their local Au Pair community.
Your LAR reaches out monthly to check in and are a great resource for all things local. LARs also plan fun Au Pair cultural events where Au Pairs get together to connect and experience their community. Participants will feel assured they have the proper support for a successful Au Pair year.
Your support at Go Au Pair headquarters
Go Au Pair headquarters is always a quick call or email away. The Au Pair program has many facets that can be a bit confusing at first but by contacting your LAR or headquarters we can put any worry to rest. We even have a 24/7 phone line in case of an emergency. There is always someone there to help whenever needed.
Au Pair Sis
Au Pairs have a big sister in the U.S! Au Pair Sis is a resource for Au Pairs to contact when they need help from someone just like a big sister. Au Pair Sis is available on social media, sharing fun Au Pair and Host Family stories, or Au Pairs can contact her with any question.
Your Placement Coordinator
Au Pairs may be a little unfamiliar with their Placement Coordinator at headquarters because their Host Family worked with them more closely on their Au Pair selection and match. Your Placement Coordinator is also there for Au Pairs and Host Families if an issue arises or if there are any questions that need to be answered. Placement Coordinators are experts when it comes to the Au Pair program and are ready to help whenever needed.
International Representative
Au Pairs worked closely with their representative in their home country through the entire profile process through their arrival. The International Representative not only assists in the vetting process but they help Au Pairs with their visa process and support from home if needed. Au Pairs can rest assured knowing they have an expert that speaks their language in their home country whenever needed.
We've got your covered
Our multi layered vetting process helps Au Pairs and Host Families feel secure in joining the life changing Au Pair program. From the very start of a family’s search to the Au Pair’s arrival we work as a team with you to make sure everyone feels confident, supported, and most of all excited with choosing Au Pair child care.
