What to Look for When Choosing a Filipino Au Pair

Welcoming a Filipino au pair into your home is more than a hiring decision — it's the start of a relationship that will shape your children's daily lives for the next year or two. Filipino au pairs have built a reputation worldwide for their warmth, patience, and natural talent for caregiving, but choosing the right person still requires thought.

This guide walks through what experienced host families look for when reviewing candidates, what questions to ask, and the red flags that mean you should keep looking.

Start with values, not skills

Skills can be taught. Values can't. Before you look at experience or English fluency, get a sense of what the candidate believes about family, children, and care.

Ask open questions like:

"Tell me about a time a child you cared for was upset. What did you do?"
"What does your typical morning routine look like with kids?"
"What was the hardest moment in your last role, and how did you handle it?"

You're listening for patience, empathy, and judgment — not memorized answers.

Look at experience that matches your needs

A candidate who has cared for newborns isn't necessarily great with toddlers. Someone who thrived with one quiet child may struggle in a busy household of four. Match experience to your reality:

Babies (0–2 yrs) — look for prior infant care, bottle-feeding, and night-wake comfort
Toddlers (2–5 yrs) — energetic candidates with patience for tantrums and creative play
School-age (6+ yrs) — au pairs who can help with homework, sports practice, and structured activities

Most Filipino au pairs grew up in large extended families and have helped raise younger siblings — this is more valuable than it looks on paper.

Verify English (or your home language) honestly

Don't rely on a written profile. Schedule a video call. Two questions, no preparation:

"Can you tell me about your last week?" — tests natural fluency
"What do you do if our 3-year-old throws a tantrum at the supermarket?" — tests vocabulary under pressure

If conversation flows naturally, you have a match. If they struggle, language learning will be part of the relationship — that's fine, but plan for it.

Check the basics rigorously

Don't skip these — agencies and platforms like AUPair Filipina handle most of it, but always confirm:

Background check completed within the last 12 months
Medical clearance, including TB screening
Two references from prior childcare roles (not family members)
Visa eligibility for your country
Vaccination records for measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus

If a candidate hesitates on any of these, that's your answer.

Watch for cultural fit

Filipino culture leans toward respect for elders, religious observance (often Catholic or Christian), and close family bonds. Most au pairs are happiest in households that:

Treat them as part of the family, not staff
Allow regular contact with home (weekly video calls minimum)
Respect rest days, especially Sundays
Provide some private space, however small

If your household runs on a different rhythm, be honest about it upfront. Mismatched expectations are the #1 reason placements end early.

Red flags to take seriously

Vague answers about why they left a previous role — pushes for more, especially if multiple short-term placements
Reluctance to discuss family back home — might indicate pressure or undisclosed obligations
Pressure for immediate placement — legitimate au pairs accept that good matches take time
Asking for money upfront before any contract is signed
Requesting payment outside of agreed channels

Trust your instincts. If something feels off in three video calls, it will feel worse in three months.

Make the trial period real

Most platforms include a trial period (usually 30 days). Use it. Within the first week:

Sit with the au pair and your children together for at least an hour daily
Watch how they handle frustration, both yours and theirs
Ask your children directly: "How do you feel when she's looking after you?"
Check in with your au pair: "Is the workload what you expected? Anything making you uncomfortable?"

A confident, well-prepared au pair welcomes feedback. Defensiveness this early is a warning.

The right match changes lives

Done well, an au pair placement transforms your household. Your children gain a second loving caregiver. Your au pair gains professional experience, language skills, and a meaningful chapter abroad. You gain time, peace of mind, and often a friendship that lasts long after the contract ends.

Take your time choosing. The right person is worth the wait.

Looking for verified Filipino au pairs? Browse profiles on AUPair Filipina — every au pair on our platform is background-checked, medically cleared, and ready to start the conversation.