How to Be an Exceptional Au Pair: 10 Tips Host Families Love
The most successful au pairs are those who go beyond the basics and approach the experience with thoughtfulness, creativity, organization, and initiative.
Whether you’re new to the au pair role or looking to strengthen your skills, these 10 tips will help you become an outstanding au pair, make the most of your experience, and leave a lasting impact on the families and children you care for.
1. Start Your Placement with a Thoughtful Gesture
First impressions matter. A small gift upon arrival is a thoughtful way to introduce yourself and show appreciation to your host family for welcoming you into their home and way of life.
If you learned during the interview process that the children enjoy reading, puzzles, or other hobbies, consider bringing small, inexpensive gifts that reflect these interests. Your favourite snacks or cultural souvenirs from your country are also lovely ways to share a part of your culture.
To give an example, one of our Canadian au pairs brought maple syrup for her host parents and small stuffed animals - a moose and a beaver - for the animal-loving children.
These memorable gestures are a wonderful way to start building a connection and help set a positive tone for your placement.
2. Be Proactive with Weekly Check-Ins
Communication is one of the most important elements of a successful au pair placement.
One of our biggest recommendations is to schedule a weekly or biweekly one-on-one chat with your host parents. If you’re proactive about organizing this, it shows responsibility, professionalism, and care.
These meetings can be casual - perhaps over coffee or tea - and provide an opportunity to discuss:
What went well during the past week
Any challenges or issues
Adjustments to routines or schedules
Plans for the upcoming week
New skills, vocabulary, or milestones the children are reaching
Using a shared online or physical calendar to schedule these check-ins shows that you’re organized and on top of things. It also ensures you always have a reliable, pre-scheduled time to connect with your host parents, allowing everyone to stay on the same page and address any issues early on.
3. Keep an Au Pair Planner or Organizer
A dedicated planner or scheduler is your go-to tool for staying organized. Use it to track:
Notes from your initial training with the parents
Daily routines and schedules for the children
Appointments, playdates, and family events
Craft and activity ideas
Supplies needed
Observations or topics for your next check-in
Some families also like a communal calendar in the kitchen so everyone can see important events and appointments at a glance.
4. Always Be Prepared with a “Go Bag”
Being prepared for outings is essential. A well-stocked backpack keeps your hands free and ensures you’re ready for anything. Include:
First Aid & Safety
Band-aids, bandages, disinfectant wipes
Tweezers, children’s Tylenol, allergy medicine (if approved by parents)
Daily Essentials
Snacks, water bottles, juice boxes
Wet wipes, diapers if needed
Entertainment & Activities
Coloring supplies, small toys, simple games
Seasonal Items
Sunscreen and hats in summer
Warm hats, gloves, and spare clothes in winter
Thin picnic or beach blanket
This bag allows you to be safe and comfortable on outings, prepared for any bathroom emergencies, sudden weather changes, or longer-than-expected outings.
5. Establish Safety Plans During Outings
When taking children to busy places like the park, zoo, beach, or pool, it’s important to plan ahead for safety.
Before arriving, make sure to:
Agree on a meeting place in case anyone gets separated
Teach children what staff members look like (such as lifeguards, zoo attendants, or park staff) so they know who they can approach for help
Dress children in bright, visible clothing so they are easier to spot in busy areas
Having clear plans helps keep outings safe and allows children to feel confident and secure in new environments. Depending on the children’s age, some au pairs also tuck a small card into the child’s pocket with an emergency phone number and home address, just in case they need help finding their way back to you.
6. Choose Practical and Comfortable Clothing
Working with children means you’ll be constantly moving - bending, lifting, reaching, and getting messy.
When packing for your au pair experience, bring comfortable shoes with good grip and choose clothing that is:
Comfortable and loose fitting
Easy to wash
Suitable for active days
At the same time, remember that you’ll also be interacting with teachers, parents, and other families during school pick-ups, activities, and outings. The trick is to maintain a neat, put-together appearance while still dressing practically.
Avoid clothing that is:
Very short
Low-cut or revealing
Difficult to move around in
You want to feel comfortable while still presenting yourself professionally.
7. Create Your Own Activity and Craft Supply Box
Keep a dedicated craft and activity box in the house. This gives you control over supplies and ensures you always have fun, creative options ready for the children.
Stock it with supplies such as:
Self-drying clay, water balloons, ice trays for projects
Mod Podge, glitter, sponges, finger paints
Paper, markers, and coloring supplies
Track ideas in your planner and add supplies to your list whenever inspiration strikes. This way you’re always ready with fun activities for rainy days, afternoons at home, or creative playtime.
8. Turn Chores Into Learning Moments
Children can learn valuable life skills by helping with simple household tasks. Try to make chores fun and age-appropriate so they feel more like activities than responsibilities.
For example:
Laundry: Let children help sort clothes into lights and darks, load the washer, or press the buttons to start a cycle (always keep detergent out of reach).
Cleaning up toys: Turn tidying into a game by playing a song or timing how quickly everything can be put away.
Sweeping: Children can help by holding the dustpan while you sweep.
Making beds: Children can help fluff pillows or straighten blankets.
These small moments teach independence, teamwork, and responsibility while giving you a little help along the way.
9. Support Children’s Learning in Creative Ways
Exceptional au pairs often identify areas early on where they can help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Finding ways to support development through play is one of the most meaningful contributions you can make.
Try to make learning enjoyable by incorporating simple activities into your time together:
Reading or storytelling to build literacy skills
Cooking and baking to practice counting and measuring
Word games or scavenger hunts to develop vocabulary
Games that encourage math skills or strategic thinking
Transfer or pouring activities to build motor skills, coordination, and accuracy
When learning feels playful and engaging, children naturally build confidence and curiosity. Parents greatly appreciate an au pair who takes the initiative to support their child’s development in thoughtful and creative ways.
10. Stay Inspired with New Ideas and Activities
Bring creativity into the home by regularly sourcing new ideas for activities and games. Staying inspired helps keep your time with the children fresh, engaging, and fun.
Some ways to find inspiration include:
Following creators on Instagram such as @northwoodfolk, @woodlark, and @sibster, who share seasonal, nature-based, and whimsical craft ideas for children, @earlyyearsoutdoor and @beyondtheclassroomwithkayla for learning based activities, and @crowded_kitchen for cooking and baking ideas.
Using apps like the Hearty App for games and activity inspiration.
Exploring parenting blogs and educational websites for crafts, baking ideas, and creative playtime activities.
Au pairs who take the time to plan engaging games, crafts, and activities often leave lasting memories with the children—sometimes the kinds of memories families talk about long after the au pair has returned home.
Final Thoughts
Being an exceptional au pair is about more than simply following instructions. It’s about being thoughtful, proactive, organized, and creative in the way you approach your role.
These tips come from real lived experiences from our team and the au pairs we’ve worked with over the years. By staying organized, communicating openly with your host family, planning engaging activities, and supporting the children’s growth, you can create a meaningful experience that benefits everyone involved. These small efforts often lead to lasting memories that children and families remember and appreciate for years.
Continue the tradition - let us know what tips or experiences helped make your life as an au pair easier and left a great impression on your host family!
