Does au-pair.org provide contract templates?

We deliberately link to the official templates of each country instead of publishing our own, because national templates are kept current with local law. You'll find them via the immigration authorities and, for example, the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement referenced by several European countries.

How early should I start preparing?

As an au pair: 4–6 months before departure (visa destinations: 6+). As a host family: 2–4 months before the desired start date, longer for the USA or the Netherlands where sponsor/agency processes add time.

Resources

Au Pair Resources: Checklists, Templates and Official Sources

Good preparation prevents most problems. Use these checklists and pointers to structure your planning — as an au pair or as a host family.

Au pair departure checklist

Signed au pair contract (keep a copy in your luggage and in the cloud)
Valid passport + visa; copies stored separately and digitally
Health, accident and liability insurance confirmations
Criminal record certificate, medical certificate, references
International driver's license if you will drive
Emergency fund (enough for a return flight) on your own account
Emergency contacts saved: embassy, agency/platform, family at home
Basic medication, prescriptions with generic names
Small gift for the host family — and photos from home for conversations

Host family preparation checklist

Contract signed and, where required, approved/registered
Room furnished: bed, desk, wardrobe, lamp, keys, Wi-Fi access
Insurance policies concluded; registration with authorities planned
Week-one plan: routines, school runs, emergency numbers, house technology
Language course options researched; transport ticket organized
Family rules discussed internally and written down (visitors, car, curfew for the kids, screen time)
Welcome gesture planned — small things set the tone

Interview questions that actually matter

Au pairs ask families: What does a normal Tuesday look like, hour by hour? What happened with your previous au pair? Which duties are most important to you? What are your house rules on visitors and going out? Who pays for what, exactly?

Families ask au pairs: Describe your childcare experience with concrete situations. How do you handle a screaming toddler / a defiant eight-year-old? What do you want from your year besides childcare? What worries you most about living abroad? What does your support network at home look like?

Contract checkpoints

Full names and addresses of both parties, start and end date
Duties listed concretely; weekly schedule attached
Weekly/daily hour caps and free-day arrangements
Pocket money amount, payment day, holiday entitlement
Insurance: who takes out and pays which policy
Language course arrangements and any contribution
Termination notice period and rematch/departure logistics

Official sources to bookmark

For binding information, rely on: the embassy or consulate of your destination country; the national immigration authority (e.g. Germany's Federal Foreign Office and BA/Federal Employment Agency guidance, US Department of State J-1 program pages, France-Visas); your destination's official au pair contract templates where published; and recognized industry bodies such as IAPA (International Au Pair Association) for finding vetted agencies. When any website — including this one — conflicts with an official source, the official source wins.