Key Points
- Documented childcare hours and age ranges matter more than total experience — match them to your kids’ ages.
- The ‘Dear Host Family’ letter reveals motivation, warmth, and English writing ability all at once.
- References from non-family employers are verified; read the quoted excerpts closely.
- Driving sections show months of experience, conditions, and car types — critical if driving is a duty.
- Green flags: specific stories about children, questions about your family, and consistency between sections.
Choosing an Au Pair is about more than finding someone with childcare experience. You’re looking for someone whose skills, personality, lifestyle, and expectations fit your family.
When you first start reviewing Au Pair profiles, it can feel like there is a lot of information to take in. From childcare hours and references to the “Dear Host Family” letter and personality results, every section provides another piece of the puzzle.
So, what should you look for in an Au Pair? The key is to look at the entire profile and consider how the different pieces fit your family’s specific needs.
Start With the Basics
Go Au Pair has designed the Host Family profile view to make it easy to get the most important information first, while still giving you the option to take a deeper dive into each candidate.
When you click on an Au Pair’s profile, you’ll see their photos and, if available, their introduction video at the top of the page. Start there!
Photos and videos can give you an initial sense of an Au Pair’s personality, interests, and communication style. Their video can also give you an opportunity to hear their English and get a feel for how comfortably they communicate.
As you continue scrolling through the profile, you’ll learn more about why the candidate wants to become an Au Pair, their placement details and preferences, and personal information. Each section and supporting documents provide another piece of the puzzle, helping you build a better picture of who the Au Pair is and whether they could be a good fit for your family.
Don't Skip the "Dear Host Family" Letter
The “Dear Host Family” letter gives you a chance to hear directly from the Au Pair and get a better sense of who they are.
As you read, consider:
- Why do they want to become an Au Pair?
- Why do they enjoy working with children?
- What do they hope to experience in the United States?
- What activities and interests do they enjoy?
- What are they looking for from their host family?
You aren’t looking for a perfect letter. Instead, look for one that feels genuine and gives you insight into the person’s personality, goals, and expectations.
The Au Pair's letter feels personal and shows enthusiasm for both childcare and cultural exchange.
Consider Personality Colors
Personality colors can provide another perspective when you’re choosing an Au Pair, but they shouldn’t be treated as a pass-or-fail test.
Think about how the Au Pair’s personality may fit with your family’s communication style and daily routine. A busy, highly scheduled household may need someone comfortable with structure, while another family may prefer someone who enjoys a more relaxed and spontaneous environment.
There isn’t one “best” personality type for an Au Pair.
You can see how the Au Pair's personality could complement your family's communication style and household environment.
Pay Attention to Driving Experience
If driving is part of the Au Pair’s responsibilities, it’s important to carefully review their driving details.
Don’t just look at whether they have a license. You need to consider:
- How long they’ve been driving,
- How frequently they drive
- What types of roads they’re comfortable on
- If they have their own car
- What type of traffic conditions they have driven in
- Their driving concerns if any
Keep in mind that Au Pairs learned to drive in a different country, with different roads, vehicles, and driving rules. Even experienced drivers may need time to adjust to driving in the U.S. Host Families should carefully review an Au Pair’s driving experience, discuss their comfort level, and provide support as the Au Pair adjusts to driving in a new environment.
Your family’s driving needs are also important. Driving in a quiet suburb can be very different from navigating busy city traffic or long commutes. Use the interview to discuss your specific driving responsibilities and give the Au Pair an opportunity to ask questions.
The Au Pair's driving experience matches the type of driving your family expects.
Look at Lifestyle Answers
The lifestyle section can help you determine whether an Au Pair will be comfortable in your household.
Consider their answers about hobbies, free time, food, exercise, travel, pets, social activities, and how they like to spend their weekends. These answers aren’t about finding someone exactly like your family. They’re about identifying potential compatibility.
For example, if your family loves spending weekends outdoors and an Au Pair enjoys hiking and exploring, that could be a natural connection. If you have pets and an Au Pair isn’t comfortable around animals, that’s something you’ll want to discuss before matching.
Their lifestyle preferences and expectations are compatible with your household.
Look for the Big Picture
When reading Au Pair applications, try not to focus on one impressive number or answer. Instead, look for patterns throughout the profile.
Does the childcare experience match the references? Does the “Dear Host Family” letter reflect the personality and lifestyle answers? Does the Au Pair have the driving experience your family needs?
These details and the 6 steps to a successful placement can help you determine whether someone may be a strong potential match.
Use the Profile to Start a Conversation
An Au Pair profile shouldn’t make the decision for you. It should help you determine what interview questions to ask next.
If an Au Pair mentions loving outdoor activities, ask what they enjoy doing. If they have extensive infant-care experience, ask what a typical day looked like. If driving is important to your family, talk through your expectations.
The goal isn’t to find a candidate who checks every box. It’s to find someone whose experience, personality, and lifestyle align with your family’s needs.
Finding the Right Match
Learning how to choose an Au Pair starts with knowing how to read an Au Pair profile. Take time to review each section, look for meaningful Au Pair green flags, and consider how the information relates to your family’s unique situation.
The best match isn’t necessarily the Au Pair with the most childcare hours or the longest application. It’s the person whose experience and expectations make you think, “I can see this person becoming a positive part of our family.”
