Introductie
we are Marijke and Jasper and live with our two children, Bram (6) and Mats (4), in Pijnacker, a charming village in South Holland. We both work full-time, with Jasper also working shifts. This made finding flexible childcare a challenge, so we began searching for other solutions. Marijke had previously worked as an au pair for an Australian family, which inspired us to consider looking for an au pair.
The process
Throughout our search, Au Pair Holland provided excellent guidance and answered all our questions. Thanks to their support, the placement process went smoothly, and we are very pleased with the result.
As a host family, we were presented with several potential good matches. Many candidates seemed to fit our family so well that choosing was sometimes difficult. Fortunately, we were able to speak with the au pairs via an online interview and make a decision based on that. It was very important to us that there was a mutual connection, which fortunately was the case.
Perfect match
Last year, we found our best match with Sarah, an 18-year-old from South Africa. She had prior experience with babysitting and had interned at a childcare centre. During the first interview with Sarah, it quickly became clear that she was great at interacting with children and enjoyed working with them. Sarah’s extroverted, playful nature and positive energy perfectly matched our children.
It was also wonderful that Sarah shared many aspects of her culture with us, such as music, sayings, and words. She often tried to speak Dutch with our children, and after much practice, she became quite proficient. Sarah has truly contributed to the growth and development of our children.
Educational period for the children
She helped the children to talk more about their feelings and to be aware of the consequences of their behaviour. Additionally, she organised many fun activities with them, such as swimming, cycling, and helping with reading.
Our children have built a strong bond with her. They say goodnight to Sarah in Afrikaans, give her kisses and hugs, and tell her that they love her. It will be really difficult to say goodbye.
Best decision in our lives
Choosing Au Pair Holland has been one of the best decisions in our lives! It has not only provided extra hands and flexibility to ease the pressure on our family but also created unforgettable memories. The programme is well-organised with a clear process. We would definitely recommend Au Pair Holland to others!