The Watson Family

Our Family's Au Pair Journey

We are a busy family living on a 50-acre lifestyle property near Toowoomba in Queensland with our three young children. Our eldest is in Prep, our middle child is a toddler, and we also have a baby. Between our careers as doctors, raising a young family and maintaining the property, life is wonderfully full, so finding the right childcare arrangement was incredibly important to us.

Although there were childcare options available, we were looking for something that better suited our family's needs. With three young children and busy, sometimes unpredictable work schedules, we wanted flexible and consistent support that could adapt to our weekly routine. What really appealed to us about hosting an Au Pair was the continuity of having one trusted person become part of our family. We loved the idea of our children building a genuine relationship with someone who would get to know their personalities and routines while also introducing them to another culture. It felt like so much more than childcare.

Like many first-time host families, we had plenty of questions before applying. We wondered how someone from another country would settle into life on a country property, how our children would adapt, and what it would be like to have an au pair living in our home. Despite those questions, we were excited about welcoming someone into our family and sharing our lifestyle with them.

After researching different organisations, we chose AIFS because of the support they provide to both host families and Au Pairs. The application process was straightforward, and the AIFS team was always available to answer questions and guide us through each stage.

Finding the right match was important to us

We weren't simply looking for someone with childcare experience; we wanted someone whose personality and values would complement our family. We found the video profiles and video interviews invaluable. While written profiles were helpful, the videos gave us a much better sense of each Au Pair's personality and helped us imagine how they would fit into our family. They gave us confidence that we'd found the right person.

Before our Au Pair arrived, we prepared a private room and spoke with our children about welcoming someone from Germany into our family. We wanted her to feel at home from the moment she arrived.

Since then, she has become an important part of our family routine. She helps with Prep drop-offs and pick-ups, morning routines, playtime, outings, caring for the younger children and the children's washing. Having another trusted adult in the household has made family life run much more smoothly.

One of the things that has worked particularly well is our Sunday evening planning session. Each week we sit down together and go through the schedule, including work commitments, school activities and appointments, so everyone knows the plan for the week ahead. It keeps communication open, ensures expectations are clear and helps everything run smoothly.

Our children have loved having someone who is consistently part of their lives. Our eldest enjoys talking about what he's been learning at Prep, while the younger children have developed their own special bonds through stories, games, baking, outdoor play and everyday routines. Watching those relationships grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. 

"Hosting an Au Pair has brought our family so much more than childcare. It has provided flexibility and consistency while allowing our children to form a close relationship with someone from another culture. It has been wonderful to watch their curiosity about the world grow through everyday conversations and shared experiences."

Our Au Pair has become part of our family beyond day-to-day life. She has joined us on family holidays and celebrated special occasions with us, creating wonderful memories together. Those experiences have reinforced that hosting an au pair is about much more than childcare.

While we don't live in a major city, our location has offered our au pair a unique perspective on life in country Australia. Living on our lifestyle property has given her the opportunity to experience wide open spaces, wildlife, feeding the chickens and spending time outdoors with the children. In return, our family has loved learning about German culture. One of our favourite experiences has been enjoying the delicious German meals she has cooked for us, which has sparked plenty of conversations with the children about life in another country.

Should You Become a Host Family?

For families considering hosting an Au Pair, our advice would be to take your time finding the right match and make the most of the video interviews. They tell you far more than a written profile ever can. Open communication is also essential. Our weekly planning sessions have helped everyone understand the expectations for the week ahead, and we make a point of including our Au Pair in family meals, outings and holidays while also respecting her independence and personal time.

Throughout the process, AIFS has been supportive, professional and approachable. Knowing there was an experienced team available whenever we needed guidance gave us confidence as first-time host families.

We would wholeheartedly recommend hosting an au pair through AIFS. For our family, it has been about much more than childcare. It has brought flexibility, friendship, cultural exchange and unforgettable memories into our home. Most importantly, it has given our children a wonderful role model and a relationship that we hope will last for many years to come.