Requirements for the Au pair programme

As an au pair, you are responsible for taking care of the children of your host family during your contractual working hours. During the day, you are often the sole supervisor for the little ones and take care of their safety as well as their physical well-being. However, as an au pair, you are not only supervisor but also playmate. Keep in mind that your host parents entrust you with their most valuable possession. For this reason, it is important that au pairs fulfill certain requirements.

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Do you have any questions about the requirements that an au pair must meet? You can also contact us directly via WhatsApp/Messenger. We look forward to your message! Due to the current situation, it may take us a bit longer to respond. We apologize and thank you for your understanding.

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What you should bring

Love for children is the number one requirement, because your everyday life will hardly revolve around anything else. You will manage different tasks and be a chauffeur, chef, teacher, playmate, reader and entertainer. Experience in childcare is important and strongly desired by the host parents.

Further Au pair requirements

au pair voraussetzungen

If you are at least 18 years old, you already fulfill the second prerequisite for au pairs. You should also be unmarried and childless. Since little ones can keep you on your toes, good physical health is also a requirement for an au pair stay. In addition, only non-smokers are accepted into the programmes, because au pairs are not only supervisors, but also role models for their host children.

Driving kids to school, picking them up from after school activities or taking them to playdates with other children: Au pairs often travel by car. Therefore, you should already have a valid driving license. If not - no problem! You can still apply and get your license during the application process.

Another requirement for au pairs going abroad is that they need to have a good enough command of the English language to be able to communicate with their host family right from the start. Perfect command of English is not necessary, an intermediate level is sufficient.

Do you meet the requirements? - Your checklist

  • you are between the ages of 18 and 30 (18-26 for the USA)

  • you are unmarried and childless

  • you are healthy and a non-smoker

  • you have a valid driving license and driving experience (preferred, but not required in Germany)

  • you have a good command of the English language

  • you have a high school diploma (or equivalent)

  • at least 200 hours of childcare experience, proved by at least two separate references

  • depending on your destination, your country of citizenship must be eligible for the required au pair visa 

Your experience in childcare

au pair kinderbetreuung

As an au pair, you will not only travel and discover a new country, but also take care of young children. Your host family trusts you with a lot of responsibility and wants to make sure that you are up to the challenge. Proof of childcare experience is therefore a prerequisite for au pairs. In general, the more experienced you are, the faster you will find a host family. 

There are many ways to gain childcare experience. These do not only include classic babysitting jobs, but also internships in kindergartens or daycare centers, coaching young sports teams or working as a camp counselor or tutor.

You need at least two up-to-date references for your application from people who are not related to you who can confirm your childcare experience. These references should be able to prove at least 200 hours of experience, ideally with children under the age of 10. 

Explore our programme offers

Au pair USA
au pair with flag usa
As an au pair in the USA you have the unique opportunity to get to know and love the everyday life of Americans for 12 months or more. By taking care of the children, you will quickly be integrated into your host family and gain a deep insight into American life.
Read more
Duration
1
Year
Age
from 18
Years
Price
1.090
Euro
Au pair Australia
Au pair Australia Sydney
Spend six to twelve months in a carefully selected host family, allowing you to experience everyday life in metropolitan areas such as Sydney or Melbourne.
Read more
Duration
6
Months
Age
from 18
Years
Price
990
Euro
Au Pair New Zealand
New zealand program offer
Spend six to twelve months in a carefully selected host family, allowing you to experience everyday life in metropolitan areas: Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Read more
Duration
6
Months
Age
from 18
Years
Price
990
Euro
Au Pair England
Au pair England
England is the perfect place for any au pair who wants to experience British culture up close. You will most likely live near London and spend 6-12 months in an English host family.
Read more
Duration
6
Months
Age
from 18
Years

Do you meet all the requirements?

Perfect! Start directly with your non-binding and free application! Becoming an au pair is so easy!

Apply now!

You have questions, we have answers:

  • For your application you need two current references from people who are not related to you and who confirm your experience in childcare. These references should be at least 200 hours in total, ideally with children under 10 years of age. That sounds like a lot at first, but after a four-week full-time internship in kindergarten, for example, you have almost all hours together. Regular babysitting also means that 200 hours can be collected quickly. 

    Your experience in childcare is not only an important criterion in choosing the right au pair for host families. It is also very important for you, since it is the only way to assess whether the au pair programme is right for you. You will quickly take your host children into your heart, but it is not always easy to look after them. With good preparation and a lot of experience, you can better assess whether you are up for the challenge.

  • A great way to gain (additional) hours for your au pair childcare experience is babysitting in your spare time. This way you not only collect the necessary hours in childcare, but you can also earn some extra money. 

    In addition to that you can do internships in kindergartens, daycare centers or primary schools. Working as a counselor or coach for summer camps or children's sports teams, as well as private tutoring lessons for children up to 12 years of age, are also recognised as relevant experience.

  • Don't worry, your English doesn't have to be perfect, because you'll perfect your knowledge during your stay abroad. You should however be able to find your way around in everyday life, and must be able to understand your host family. Your au pair interview in English will already be good practice. You can also watch movies in English or read English books and magazines. If you have not spoken English for several years, you can also take a language course to refresh your knowledge.

  • You do not have to hand in proof of vaccinations to become an au pair. Nevertheless, it is important to check if all your vaccinations are up to date and worth asking your doctor for recommendations. It is best to wait until you have been placed in a specific region.

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