Here are 100 Host Family Interview Questions You Need to Ask

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Looking for some questions to ask a prospective host family? Check out this post for 100 host family interview questions you need to ask!

When I first decided I wanted to be an Au pair, I knew I had to just find the right host family for me. I didn’t want my experience to end up being another horror story on Reddit, so asking the right questions was the best way to go.

And trust me…

There are a lot of toxic host families out there that don’t want you to ask any questions. In fact, they might just be turned off by them.

But you know what…

That’s ok! If any host family has a problem with you asking them questions then they are not the right fit for you. The right host family for you will be excited that you’re asking questions because it shows that you’re curious about learning more.

Therefore, for all prospective Au pairs, please be sure to ask as many questions as you can from the list provided below. It will help you get a bigger picture of each host family you meet with as well as what it would be like to be an Au pair in their home.

Table of Contents

Au Pair in Germany Series

P.S. This is a post in my Au Pair in Germany series. Here is the complete series:

Au Pair Origin and History: What is an Au Pair: The Origin and History

Au Pair Tasks: What Does an Au Pair Do: Au Pair Tasks

Au Pair Agencies: The 7 Best Au Pair Agencies for Americans

German Language Learning Apps: The 10 Best Apps for German Learning as an Au Pair

Au Pair Guide: How to Become an Au Pair in Germany

Au Pair Visa: Au Pair Visa Germany: Requirements for Americans

Au Pair vs. Nanny: Au Pair vs. Nanny: What is the Difference?

Au Pair Salary: German Au Pair Salary: What to Expect

Au Pair Rematch: The Top 10 Reasons Why Au Pairs Rematch

Au Pair Driving: The Au Pair Guide to Driving in Germany

German A1 Exam: How To Pass Your German A1 Test To Become An Au Pair

Host Family Interview: Here Are 100 Host Family Interview Questions You Need To Ask

Host Family Red Flags: 10 Host Family Red Flags You Should Watch Out For

Packing List: Au Pair Packing List: Germany Edition

BFD: BFD in Germany: What Americans Need To Know

FSJ: How to Do an FSJ in Germany

Ausbildung: Ausbildung in Germany: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Host Family Interview Questions

The following list of host family interview questions provided focus on several different categories that make up the Au pair experience. It’s important as a prospective Au pair to ask questions in these respective categories so that you can have an idea of what the host parent(s) are like, the children, your duties, the transportation as well as your vacation. However, it’s important to note that not every question provided will apply to each and every host family you meet. Have the due diligence to discern which ones are the most important to you and just go from there.

Host Parent(s) (host family interview questions)

1. How do I pronounce everyone’s names? (This is important so that you don’t mispronounce them)
2. What do you both do for a living?
3. How would you describe a typical day for you both?
4. What do you both like to do on the weekend?
5. Are either of you religious?
6. Do you both like to travel?
7. What types of household chores does everyone in your family do?
8. Why do you want an Au pair? (Only ask this if this is their first time hosting an Au pair)
9. What are you looking for in your next Au pair?
10. How many Au pairs have you hosted since your children were born and where were they from?
11. Are you still in touch with any of your previous Au pairs?
12. What was something about my profile that stood out to you?

Home (host family interview questions)

13. How would you describe your neighborhood?
14. What is the weather there like now?
15. What are some important house rules the Au pair should know?
16. How good is the internet connection in your home?
17. How far away is public transportation from your home?
18. Would the Au pair have a curfew?
19. What does the Au pair room look like?
20. Can you give me a walk-through of the Au pair’s room?
21. Is the Au pair allowed to decorate the room?
22. Is anyone allowed to enter the Au pair’s room without permission?
23. Would the Au pair have her own bathroom?
24. Where do you do your laundry?
25. Is the Au pair allowed to use the family’s detergent?
26. Is the Au pair responsible for buying her own toiletries?
27. Can the Au pair have mail or packages sent to the home?

Host Kid(s) (host family interview questions)

28. Can I see the children on camera?
29. What has their relationship been like with previous Au pairs in the past?
30. What does their morning routine look like?
31. What does their nighttime routine look like?
32. What do they like to do in their free time at home?
33. What kind of food do they like?
34. Do they have any allergies or dietary restrictions?
35. How do you think your children will handle having an Au pair for the first time? (Only ask this if they’ve never had an Au pair before)
36. How do you discipline, correct and teach your children?
37. Is the Au pair allowed to discipline the children?
38. What are some behavioral challenges you are working on with your children?
39. Have they ever hit or kicked an Au pair before?
40. How good is their English?
41. Which language should I speak when I’m with the children?

Au Pair (host family interview questions)

42. How will you handle food for the Au pair?
43. Can the Au pair cook his or her own food?
44. Is the Au pair allowed to eat anything from the fridge?
45. What kind of light housework is expected from the Au pair?
46. How many hours will the Au pair work a day?
47. In the afternoon, when does the Au pair have free time?
48. In the evening, when does the Au pair have free time?
49. Will the Au pair have weekends off?
50. How often will the Au pair babysit?
51. Do you track your Au pair’s working hours?
52. How would you compensate the Au pair if they went over the legal working hours?
53. Would you give the Au pair a schedule every week?
54. How much pocket money will the Au pair receive?
55. Do you normally pay the pocket money with cash or through direct deposit?
56. If by direct deposit, do you help the Au pair open a foreign bank account?
57. Would the Au pair be paid every month or every week?
58. Where can the Au pair attend a language course?
59. How much are you willing to contribute to the language course?
60. What kind of disagreements have you had with Au pairs in the past?
61. How would you handle conflict with your Au pair if an issue were to arise?
62. Can I have the contact information of your last Au pair? (Only ask this if they’ve had other Au pairs before in the past)

Transportation/Driving (host family interview questions)

63. Would you pay for the Au pair’s transportation pass?
64. What kind of car do you let the Au pair drive?
65. Would you pay for the Au pair’s gas?
66. What would happen if the Au pair was involved in a car accident?
67. Who would be responsible for paying if the car got damaged?
68. Would you add the Au pair to your car insurance?
69. Can the Au pair also use the car in his or her own free time?
70. Does Uber or Lyft work in your area?

Vacation (host family interview questions)

71. Would the Au pair have public (bank) holidays off?
72. How many vacation days would the Au pair be entitled to?
73. Do the kids also have any long breaks from school?
74. If yes, is the Au pair expected to work during their break?
75. How will you find childcare if the Au pair is on vacation?
76. Would the Au pair ever join you if you’re on vacation?
77. If yes, would you give the Au pair their own hotel room?
78. How would you want the Au pair to notify you if he or she needed time off?

Miscellaneous (host family interview questions)

79. How early can the Au pair arrive?
80. How soon would you expect the Au pair to start once they arrive?
81. When is everyone’s birthdays?
82. Would you add your Au pair to your health and dental insurance as well?
83. What is included in the health insurance?
84. What is included in the dental insurance?
85. Would you help the Au pair find an English-speaking doctor?
86. Would you help the Au pair find an English-speaking dentist?
87. What do you love the most about hosting an Au pair? (Only ask this if they’ve had Au pairs before)
88. What are some places you recommend I visit in your area?
89. Is there any food I should try in your area?
90. What are some of your biggest pet peeves?
91. Have you ever been to my home country before?
92. Do you have any streaming services I can use?
93. Can I share pictures/videos of the children on social media?
94. Do you know any other host families with Au pairs I can be friends with?
95. How does your family celebrate Christmas?
96. Are there any special traditions you do I should know about?
97. How often do you have visitors over?
98. Can I have friends or family come visit me in your home?
99. How familiar are you with the visa process?
100. Is there anything else you would like to know about me?

Overall, I really hope you enjoyed reading this post about the 100 host family interview questions you need to ask. Please let me know in the comments down below which question sparked your curiosity the most. I would love to hear from you! 🙂