Pre-Arrival Checklist To Welcome Your Au Pair

The weeks leading up to your au pair’s arrival are an exciting time, and there’s plenty to do to prepare!

We’ve created a checklist to make the transition as smooth as possible. Here’s what you can work on in the month prior to your au pair’s arrival.

Pre-Arrival Checklist

• Complete your Home Orientation Handbook.
  • Your Local Coordinator (LC) provided a hard copy and PDF version at your Host Family Interview.
• Set up your au pair’s bedroom – our tips!
• Add your au pair to your car insurance.
  • Write a “To Whom It May Concern” letter to keep in the glove box that says who your au pair is and that they have permission to drive your vehicle.
• Add your au pair to your approved school pickup and emergency contact lists.
  • You can also include your au pair on family memberships, such as the gym or museum.
• Get a copy of your kids’ health insurance cards for your au pair.
• Send your au pair a letter to arrive at your home address.
  • Mail with the au pair’s name on it, at your address, can act as proof that he or she lives there.
• Ask your bank or credit union what they offer for student and/or ATM only accounts.
  • Your au pair may need their Social Security number before they can open a bank account.
• If you plan on giving your au pair a debit or credit card to use for your kids, order it now.
• Check the rates for adding a line to your mobile phone plan.
  • Be sure to ask your au pair if they’re bringing an international (unlocked) phone. If so, it may be more affordable to purchase an individual SIM outright.
• Let your neighbors know about your au pair.
• Have an emergency plan ready to share.
  • Include where extra keys are stored and which neighbors can help in case of an emergency.
• Locate the local grocery store that has foods from your au pair’s home country and visit it soon after they arrive.
• Have a welcome plan for airport pickup and your first meal together.
• Schedule your first two weeks.
  • Include driving practice and visits to the Social Security Office and DMV.
  • Remember that for your au pair’s first three days, an adult must be present with them in the home.
  • Your Local Coordinator will call you within 48 hours of your au pair’s arrival and will visit in the first two weeks. Schedule these check-ins prior to your au pair’s arrival.