To find a suitable host family in Germany, create an honest profile, define your expectations for childcare, hours, location, and family life, and hold several video calls. Before accepting or booking travel, verify the family, contract, room, duties, free time, pocket money, language course, transport, and insurance.
Describe your childcare experience, age groups, previous duties, driving confidence, languages, goals in Germany, preferred daily life, and situations that would not suit you. Honesty may reduce the number of messages but increases the chance of a compatible match.
Review the number and ages of the children, actual weekly schedule, duties, public transport, distance to a language school, private room, pets, family rules, previous au pair experience, start date, and length of stay. If a profile lists only benefits and no concrete duties, ask for details.
Useful video-call questions include: What does a normal weekday look like? What are my daily duties and exact hours? How are schedule changes discussed? May I see my room on video? How far away are transport and language classes? How does the family handle mistakes? May I speak to a previous au pair with their consent? Who will help with registration, insurance, and orientation?
Warning signs include more than 30 hours of regular work, mainly cleaning, no private room, no written contract, pressure to agree quickly, unusual payments, refusal to video call, inconsistent identity information, an unsuitable visa plan, or failure to respect free time and language classes.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I search? Begin several months before your preferred start, especially if you need a visa.
Should I send money to a host family? A genuine family normally does not request a deposit or large advance payment.
May I speak to the previous au pair? Yes, with that person’s consent.
What if the placement does not work after arrival? Raise concerns early, document agreements, and seek support. In danger, contact the authorities or an emergency service immediately.
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Related: Visa · Insurance · Information for host families