The first week sets the tone for your whole time together. A little structure now helps your au pair settle in quickly, understand what you need, and feel like part of the family. Use this checklist to make those early days easy for everyone.
Before they arrive
- Prepare their room with fresh bedding, storage and Wi-Fi access.
- Put together a simple welcome pack: house keys, local tips and emergency contacts.
- Write down the week's routine so you can talk it through together.
Day one: keep it gentle
Your au pair will likely arrive jet-lagged and a little nervous, so treat the first day as a settling-in day rather than a work day. Share a relaxed meal, show them their space, and let them rest. There is plenty of time for the routine to start tomorrow.
The home tour and house rules
Walk them through the house and the things that aren't obvious to a newcomer:
- How appliances, heating and the laundry work.
- Where to find first-aid supplies and emergency information.
- House rules — guests, screen time, the family car, quiet times.
- What is shared and what is private.
Go through the routine together
Sit down and walk through a typical week: working hours, school runs, meal and nap times, activities and days off. Invite questions, and consider a written daily log for each child covering routines, food and what helps them settle. Clarity now prevents misunderstandings later.
Introduce the neighbourhood
Show your au pair the essentials nearby — the school, the shops, the park and the nearest public transport. Knowing their way around quickly helps them feel confident and independent.
Set up regular check-ins
Agree to a short, friendly catch-up at the end of the first week (and regularly after that) to see how they are settling in and to clear up any questions on either side. Ten minutes over a coffee can prevent small issues from growing.
Get the first week right and you lay the foundation for a happy, confident au pair — and a smoother year for the whole family.