Becoming a host family, Having
a Homstay
If you are interested in
becoming a host family with WIE, please fill out
Homestay Application Form.
We will be in contact with you shortly.
Minimum basic
requirements for homestay students:
Homestay students should
be provided with:
-
Meals - 3 meals a day
and snacks, including a packed lunch during the
school week.
-
Laundry – washing and
ironing.
-
Bedroom with a table
or desk, chair, mirror, reading lamp, bed with linen
and blankets or duvet, heating system, chest of
drawers and/or wardrobe.
Chores:
Children should not be
expected to do a lot of chores, but should be asked to
tidy their room and participate in family chores such as
setting the table and doing the dishes.
Transport:
Homestay families are responsible for showing children
how to get to and from the education provider. If the
child is to take the bus or walk a short distance with
another child, a homestay parent should accompany the
child on his/her first day. It may be necessary to
accompany the child for the first few days or a week if
the child is unsure about how to get to school.
Children should not be expected to walk to the education
provider alone and should not be given a bicycle to ride
to the education provider.
Toiletries:
Children have been asked to provide their own soap,
toothpaste, shampoo, and personal toiletries.
Please help them to buy more when they run out.
Heating:
Children will feel the cold and adequate heating must be
provided.
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Communication:
Children must have regular communication with their
families. It is desirable that one phone call a week,
and email access is provided. Payment for phone calls
will be by the parents. The education provider will
advise homestay carers of the toll call payment policy.
On Arrival:
The education provider (or accommodation agent) will
meet your homestay student on arrival at the airport and
bring him/her to your home. It is very welcoming if
homestay families can also go to the airport.
Student Care:
Homestay families are responsible for children for the
school year, including school holidays. It is the
homestay carers’ responsibility to know where their
child is, how they can be contacted and who they are
spending their time with, at all times. A mobile phone
number is not adequate as an only means of contact for a
child. Homestay carers need to have a physical address
for the child’s whereabouts. If a child is staying at a
friend’s place overnight, contact should be made with
the host parents beforehand, and homestay carers should
consider visiting the host home if possible.
When your student goes out, please ensure that he/she is
carrying telephone numbers and addresses of both the
school and the homestay.
Children should also have a regular phone card to use in
New Zealand telephone boxes.
Children must not be left alone in the house for any
reason. If this is inconvenient because of an emergency
please contact [name / details]
Homestay carers may need to be mindful of the
developmental needs of older children.
Homework:
It is the homestay carer’s responsibility to help
international students with their homework.
Student Behaviour:
Homestay carers should expect the same standard of
behaviour as would be expected from their own children
of a similar age, but make allowances for cultural
differences.
Illness:
In the case of serious illness or accident/emergency
follow the emergency and accident procedures listed in
the homestay Accident and Emergency Procedures form.
Safety:
It is the homestay carer’s responsibility to care for
the child in a way that ensures they are kept safe from
harm and their emotional well-being is nurtured.
Contact with Parents:
It’s a good idea to make contact with your child’s
parents. A letter/email introducing yourself and family
members and some regular contact about the child
throughout the year will be greatly appreciated by the
parents.
Changing Homestays:
Students must give at least two weeks notice or two
weeks board in lieu of notice. Students may never change
homestays without the knowledge of the school. If a
student is to be moved, the homestay will be advised of
the reason why.
Language:
The child will probably be unfamiliar with New Zealand
accents (even if he/she has good English) and colloquial
expressions and may take time to adjust.
Homestay families should attempt to learn some basic
greetings in the student’s language. Learning a few
phrases of your student’s language helps to show respect
for their culture and may help them feel more welcome
and cared for.
In order to be
considered as a Homestay host, please download and
fill out
Homestay Application Form
Waikato Institute of Education Homestay staff will visit
selected homes in order to view the amenities, answer
questions and discuss the Homestay experience. Homestay
staff members are available to assist students and host
families throughout the Homestay period. |
