Au pair room requirements: What to expect
Au pairs are always entitled to their own room in the host family home. In return for the help they provide with childcare and light housework, au pairs receive free accommodation, plus all meals with the family and pocket money.
Au pair room requirements
As a family member for a temporary period of time, the au pair always has their own room in the host family home. The family makes the room available for use free of charge as part of the basic arrangement between family and au pair. The room should:
- be at least 9 square metres
- have a window
- be furnished and equipped with heating
- have a lock and key to ensure the au pair's privacy.
Some host families also make a private bathroom available to their au pair. However, this is not compulsory. The au pair can also use the communal bathroom along with all of the other members of the family. As the objective is for the au pair to be integrated into the family as a big brother or sister, the room should be within the family home. In exceptional cases it is sometimes possible to accommodate the au pair outside of the family home. It is the au pair's responsibility to clean their own private space.
Au pair room decorating ideas
It is important that your au pair room feels comfy for you during your au pair stay. We asked our community on Instagram and here are their ideas on how to decorate your au pair room on a low budget. Don't forget to ask your host family what you can and can't do with the room.
How to upgrade your au pair room | AuPairWorld
Decorating the room for your au pair
If you're a family and your au pair is about to come, make the room for the new au pair as welcoming as possible. A welcome card, a picture drawn by the children or a small bunch of flowers will certainly make the au pair feel really welcome in your home when they arrive.
FAQs on au pair accommodation
-
Can we host an au pair if our home is too small and there isn't any extra room for the au pair?
Having an extra room for the au pair is a basic requirement for all host families.
If you don't have enough space at your home, you may think of accommodating the au pair outside the family's home. This option is not really conventional, but it is acceptable when it is the only possibility due to space limitations. It is important that you mention it in your profile or tell the au pairs during the interviews so that they get an idea of what to expect.
The personal connection to the host family is a very important point. If your au pair is not living in your home, you need to make sure that you and your au pair spend as much time together as possible. The au pair must be integrated into family life and learn more about the culture of the host country. This is all part of the basic concept of au pairing.
Under no circumstances should the au pair sleep in the same room as the host children on a daily basis. Only in exceptional cases, such as in a vacation or holiday flat could this option be acceptable.
