TGTG Community Service: Finding the right au pair for your family, and the right family for your skills
- Karen Scheepers
- Apr 13
- 6 min read
A free matchmaking service from The Go-To Guy that takes the guesswork out of finding an au pair in Potchefstroom.
THE PROBLEM WITH HOW PEOPLE LOOK FOR AU PAIRS
We see it constantly. A family posts a single line on a WhatsApp group: “Looking for an au pair, Potchefstroom area.” That is the entire post. No mention of how many children they have, what ages the children are, what the schedule looks like, whether they need someone with a driver’s licence, whether cooking or homework help is part of the job, or what they are willing to pay.
On the other side, someone looking for au pair work replies with: “I am available. Please call me.” Nothing about their experience with children, what age groups they are comfortable with, whether they have first aid training, what languages they speak, or when they can start.
The result is predictable. A family hires someone who is not suited to their household. An au pair arrives at a home and discovers expectations that were never discussed. Within weeks, the arrangement falls apart, and both sides are back on WhatsApp posting the same one-liners.
The Go-To Guy built a structured system to fix this, and it is completely free for both families and au pairs.
HOW THE TGTG AU PAIR SERVICE WORKS
This is not a classified ad. It is a matchmaking platform designed around the reality that every family is different, every child is different, and every au pair brings a different set of skills and experience. The system works in four steps:
Families register their au pair need by completing a detailed form that captures everything an au pair would need to know before accepting a position.
Au pairs register their profile by completing a matching form that captures their experience, qualifications, personality, availability, and what they bring to a family.
Both sides can browse. Families can view registered au pair profiles with full details. Au pairs can view available positions and what each family is looking for.
Families can download a free interview guide with 13 categories of questions to help them conduct proper interviews with shortlisted candidates.
FOR FAMILIES: WHAT THE JOB REGISTRATION FORM CAPTURES
The form is thorough for a reason. An au pair is not a domestic worker. They are being trusted with your children, your routines, and often your home. Here is what the family registration captures and why each detail matters:
Your family introduction: This is where you describe your family to potential au pairs. How many children you have, their ages and genders, any special needs, and a sense of what your family is like. This is the single most important section because it gives the au pair a picture of who they would be caring for.
The type of person you are looking for: Qualities you value, such as responsibility, flexibility, patience, or a nurturing nature. Your family’s values around discipline, routines, and general behaviour. This is where you filter for personality fit, not just skills.
Detailed job description: What the role actually involves day to day. This includes supervising children’s activities, preparing meals, bath time and bedtime routines, homework and tutoring assistance, school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurricular activities, and any additional duties like light housekeeping or pet care. If any of your children have medical conditions or require special care, this is where you mention it.
Language requirements: Your home language and the languages you need the au pair to speak. This is critical, especially in a multilingual area like Potchefstroom.
Schedule and availability: Working hours, days required, whether the position is full-time or part-time, and any flexibility or additional hours needed.
Transport requirements: Whether a driver’s licence is required and whether the au pair needs their own vehicle for transporting children.
Accommodation: If the position includes live-in arrangements, you describe the living quarters and facilities available.
Education and qualifications: Any required certifications such as CPR or first aid training, preferred level of experience, and specific skills you need.
Travel expectations: If your family travels and expects the au pair to join, this is where you outline those arrangements.
Remuneration: What you are offering in terms of salary and benefits, stated upfront.
Register your family’s au pair need here:
Browse registered au pairs here:
FOR AU PAIRS: WHAT THE REGISTRATION FORM CAPTURES
Your profile is what families see first. The more detail you provide, the better your chances of being matched with a family that is right for you. Here is what gets captured:
Your photo: A clear, professional head-and-shoulders image. Profiles with photos receive significantly more interest from families.
Personal details: Your name, contact information, ID or passport, suburb, age, gender, and citizenship status. Families need to know the basics before considering a match.
Transport: Whether you have your own vehicle and whether you hold a driver’s licence. Many au pair positions require transporting children to school and activities, so this is often a deciding factor.
Languages: Your home language and all additional languages you speak. In Potchefstroom, where families speak Afrikaans, English, Setswana, and other languages, this is one of the first filters families use.
Experience: Whether you have worked as an au pair before (permanent, temporary, or first time), and a free-text section where you can describe your experience in detail.
Your personality and story: A section where you introduce yourself to potential families. This is your chance to show who you are as a person, not just what you can do. Families are inviting you into their home, and they want to know they can trust you with their children.
Educational background: Your qualifications and studies.
First aid: Whether you hold a first aid certificate, are busy with one, or are willing to obtain one.
Cooking ability: Whether you are an excellent home cook, a general cook, or not confident in the kitchen. Many families include meal preparation as part of the au pair role, so honesty here prevents mismatches.
Tutoring and homework: Your comfort level and experience with helping children with schoolwork and educational activities.
Availability: Full-time or part-time, when you can start, and any additional detail about your schedule.
Salary expectations and live-in: What you are looking for in terms of pay, and whether you are open to a stay-in position.
Register as an au pair here:
Browse available au pair positions here:
WHY DETAIL MATTERS: REAL SCENARIOS
Scenario 1: The school run
A family needs their au pair to collect two children from school at 13:30 and drive them to rugby practice at 15:00. They post “looking for an au pair” without mentioning transport. They hire someone who does not have a driver’s licence. The arrangement lasts one week.
With the TGTG system, the family’s form clearly states that a driver’s licence and own vehicle are required. Au pairs without transport do not apply. Problem solved before it starts.
Scenario 2: Homework help
A family has a Grade 7 child who needs daily homework supervision, particularly in mathematics. They hire an au pair who is wonderful with toddlers but has no confidence helping with schoolwork. The child falls behind.
With the TGTG system, the family specifies tutoring as a core requirement. Au pairs with tutoring experience and confidence are matched. Both sides know what to expect.
Scenario 3: First aid
A child has a severe nut allergy. The family mentions this nowhere in their WhatsApp post. The au pair is unaware and does not know how to administer an EpiPen.
With the TGTG system, the family describes medical conditions in the job form. The au pair’s profile shows whether they hold a first aid certificate. The family can prioritise candidates with the right training.
BONUS FOR FAMILIES: FREE AU PAIR INTERVIEW GUIDE
Once you have shortlisted candidates from the registered au pair profiles, The Go-To Guy provides a free downloadable interview guide covering 13 categories of questions to help you conduct a proper, structured interview.
The guide covers:
• Introduction and background
• Childcare experience and age group comfort
• Personal attributes and qualities
• Practical skills including first aid and cooking
• Interests and activities they can share with children
• Schedule and availability
• Cultural exchange and adaptability
• Safety and security awareness
• Driving and transportation
• Communication and conflict resolution
• Boundaries and professionalism
• Expectations and motivations
• References and background checks
The guide includes space for interview notes and is designed to help you ask the right questions so you make the right choice the first time.
Download the interview guide here:
IT IS FREE. FOR EVERYONE.
The Go-To Guy au pair service is a community tool. There are no placement fees, no agency commissions, no hidden costs, and no subscriptions.
Families register for free. Au pairs register for free. The platform exists to bring Potchefstroom families and qualified au pairs together in a way that is structured, transparent, and designed to produce better matches.
The more families and au pairs use the system, the better the matches become. If you know someone looking for an au pair, or someone looking for au pair work, share this article with them.
QUICK LINKS: GO DIRECTLY TO WHAT YOU NEED
Families - Register your au pair need:
Au Pairs - Register your profile:
Families - Browse registered au pairs:
Au Pairs - Browse available positions:
Download the free interview guide:
The Go-To Guy | Potchefstroom Community Platform
Better matches. Safer homes. A free service for our community.
Questions? Contact us at guy@thegotoguy.co.za
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