The first week with your au pair – arriving and settling in
The first week is not yet normal au pair everyday life. It is, above all, one thing: a time for arriving, getting to know each other and finding your bearings.
Your au pair has just arrived in a new country. Perhaps after a long flight, with jet lag and many new impressions. The language is unfamiliar, the surroundings are new – and your family and your children also have to get to know them first.
That is why, for the first few days, one thing matters above all:
Getting to know each other first, then taking on responsibility
Even if the anticipation is high and you naturally want support in everyday family life: give your au pair the chance to get to know your family first.
What does a typical morning look like? What habits do the children have? Which routines are particularly important? How does everyday life work in your family?
Especially for children with a disability, developmental delays or autism, individual routines and needs often play a particularly important role. These cannot be explained within a few hours.
Much of it has to be experienced and practised together.
Confidence develops step by step
In the first few days, it is therefore less about handing over all tasks as quickly as possible. What matters far more is that your au pair gains confidence.
New routes, routines and tasks should first be got to know together. As their sense of orientation grows, your au pair can then become more independent step by step.
How quickly this works varies from au pair to au pair – and every family also brings different circumstances with them.
Give both sides time
This first week is new not only for your au pair. Your children also have to get used to a new person in their everyday life.
Some children are immediately curious and open. Others take considerably longer before trust develops. Both are entirely fine.
So do not try to create a perfect daily routine within a few days.
It is fine for the first week still to feel unfamiliar.
Arriving is part of it too
Alongside everyday family life, your au pair needs time to find their way around their new surroundings and to process the many impressions of the first few days.
A good start does not come from getting as much done as possible as quickly as possible, but from laying a stable foundation for the months ahead.
Our tip from Besondere Sterne
Show. Do together. Repeat. Then let them become more independent step by step.
Exactly how the first week is shaped in practice, which tasks are usefully handed over when, and what families should particularly pay attention to, is very individual.
That is precisely why we continue to support our host families and au pairs after placement, giving them concrete guidance for their first time together.
