We are proud to be a boutique-style au pair agency: small enough to know each family personally yet experienced enough to have placed many of au pairs across 3 generations. This means every placement is a personalized process. We only put forward educated candidates that we have personally interviewed at our offices, and who have relevant childcare experience with reference and background checks. Our work “behind-the-scenes” is truly extensive.

At Au Pair at Home, we’ve been trusted by Cape Town and Western Cape families since 1994. For over 30 years, we’ve specialised in various forms of au pairs, facilitators and tutors – all educated childcare professionals. From Educated Au Pairs and Special Needs Au Pairs to Baby specialists, Night nurses, School Facilitators and Tutors, we connect families with trusted professionals who bring more than childcare — they bring peace of mind, consistency, and support that helps your children thrive.

Au Pair at Home’s Mission

At Au Pair at Home, we believe childcare is about more than supervision — it’s about nurturing children, supporting parents, and creating balance in family life. We are proud to be the Western Cape’s longest-standing specialist au pair agency. Over three decades, we’ve built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and personal attention. Many of our families have returned to us again and again — a testament to the long-lasting relationships we foster. To provide families with trusted, high-quality au pair placements that prioritize healthy family life and their children’s safety, development, and well-being — while supporting and growing au pairs with care and guidance.

Calm homes, Connected families, Confident Children

Our Ethics & Standards

We hold ourselves to professional standards on par with education and psychology settings. That means:

• Child-first decisions, always.

• Integrity & transparency in every interaction.

• Respect, inclusion and cultural responsiveness for every family and candidate.

• Privacy & confidentiality of all your information.,

• Fair, non-discriminatory practices across our processes.

• Evidence-based matching informed by developmental and educational best practice.

• Accountability & continuous improvement—we review, learn and refine.

• Ongoing support for both family and au pair after placement.

- Our approach is informed by international best practice for nanny/au pair agencies and early-years’ professionals. -

What Makes Au Pair at Home Different

• Since 1994. 30+ years specializing in au pair placements across Cape Town and the Western Cape. We’ve conducted hundreds of in-home family interviews to fine-tune real needs.

• Educated au pairs. Minimum Matric; many are pursuing tertiary studies in education, psychology, or related fields.

• Thorough screening. Every candidate is vetted, assessed, interviewed, and reference-checked before we recommend them.

• Personalized matching. We learn your family’s values, routines and children’s needs, then curate a best-fit short-list—saving you time and effort.

• Ongoing support. We don’t place and disappear. Our care and unique skill set continues throughout the relationship.

Meet the Team

LILIAN HELLERMAN

Lilian is the founder and heart behind Au Pair At Home. A lifelong passion for family dynamics drives her work, with one aim: supporting healthy, thriving family life.

With 30+ years in specialised childcare placements, a Psychology degree from UCT, and further study and trainings in counselling, mediation, various facilitations and as a qualified Integral Coach, she blends deep expertise with real-life empathy.

Her own journey—running a playschool for five years; raising three young children as a single mother while balancing family, work and growth; and now the full colour of a blended family in a happy second marriage—grounds her approach in what families truly need.

She’s the calm strategist of the team: interviewing candidates, guiding family placements, conducting home assessments (on request), and shortlisting matches that work day to day.

Lilian is especially passionate about neurodiversity, special needs and learning differences, partnering with parents and schools to put the right supportive candidate in place.

Alongside the agency, she runs Relationship Matters, her coaching practice focused on empowering and guiding individuals, couples and families towards wholeness and alignment.

Known for being compassionate, intuitive and refreshingly practical, Lilian holds both the big picture and the tiny details—so homes feel calmer, children feel confident, and parents get time to connect.

When she’s not knee-deep in shortlists and schedules, she’s recharging with family and friends, real conversations, with a Cape Town view that reminds her why this work matters.

CARON ADAMS

Caron joined Au Pair at Home 24 years ago, originally diving into the admin side of things—but it didn’t take long for her talent in HR and recruitment to shine through. With a sharp eye for detail and a genuine love for connecting people, Caron quickly became involved in every corner of the business. Today, she’s not just part of the team—she’s part of the leadership, having grown the agency alongside Lilian into the trusted family-focused brand it is today.

Her background in recruitment, paired with her own experience as a wife and mom to two daughters, gives Caron a deep understanding of the delicate dance between work and family life. She’s known for her no-nonsense, black-and-white approach (you’ll always know where you stand!)—but also for her warmth, empathy, and unwavering commitment to finding the perfect match for every family.

When she’s not busy vetting candidates or fine-tuning operations, you’ll find Caron out on a walk or hike, soaking up Cape Town’s beauty one trail at a time.

MACAELA GRAY

Macaela is the detective behind our reference checking and administration, bringing empathy, precision, and a deep love for children into everything she does. With an advanced diploma in dermal aesthetics, Macaela’s journey took a joyful turn when she discovered her passion for working with children. She’s now exploring Montessori teaching, drawn to its playful, child-led approach that challenges the norms of mainstream education.

Known for being loving, trusting, and exceptionally organized, Macaela is our go-to listener—a calming presence who makes everyone feel heard and supported. Her natural empathy shines through in her meticulous work, ensuring every placement is handled with care and integrity.

When she’s not diving into detective work or dreaming up better ways to support young minds, you’ll find Macaela café-hopping around Cape Town, sipping on a perfectly brewed coffee and catching up with her closest friends. A good coffee and great company? That’s her happy place.