What will it be like for your child when they stay with their host family?
If you need to use a host family for your child during the holidays – when they can’t travel home – Pippa’s has the most wonderful caring community of families who open their houses and hearts to overseas students.
We know it is a big decision to give your child to a host family and we take every care to ensure you will feel totally secure with any family we use to host your child.
Our Area Managers personally match the right host family for every student – making sure they have similar interests and lifestyles – and this means that for your child, they will feel instantly welcomed and understood. Many return to the same family every time they need that support.
Host families are carefully chosen and vetted to ensure they share and support Pippa’s aim of providing a safe, caring and supporting environment for children in their care. Every family is checked by The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and our guarantee that every family follows our Safeguarding policy ensures you and your children feel safe and secure.
So, what will it be like for your child when they stay with their host family?
A host family becomes your child’s family the minute they have left school for a weekend or holiday. They will often pick up your child from school ensuring they are taken safely back to the family home to settle in and start to relax.
Whilst staying with their host family, your child will have their own bedroom unless they have asked to share with a sibling or another student the same age and they usually share a bathroom. Their bedroom will be light and airy and have everything your child would need including a bed, bedding, a side table and sidelight and a wardrobe or drawers for their clothes.
Their bedroom is their own private space. After being in a dormitory with other children at school, their bedroom will be incredibly important. A space where they can relax, lie on their bed listening to music or chatting privately with friends or family.
They would be given a desk or there would be somewhere quiet in the house where they could sit and work if they needed to. Going to a host family gives children a great opportunity to revise in a quiet place away from the distractions of school!
So, what will it be like for your child when they stay with their host family?
A host family becomes your child’s family the minute they have left school for a weekend or holiday. They will often pick up your child from school ensuring they are taken safely back to the family home to settle in and start to relax.
Whilst staying with their host family, your child will have their own bedroom unless they have asked to share with a sibling or another student the same age and they usually share a bathroom. Their bedroom will be light and airy and have everything your child would need including a bed, bedding, a side table and sidelight and a wardrobe or drawers for their clothes.
Their bedroom is their own private space. After being in a dormitory with other children at school, their bedroom will be incredibly important. A space where they can relax, lie on their bed listening to music or chatting privately with friends or family.
They would be given a desk or there would be somewhere quiet in the house where they could sit and work if they needed to. Going to a host family gives children a great opportunity to revise in a quiet place away from the distractions of school!
Shared family mealtimes are a very important part of British culture. Your child will have breakfast, lunch and supper, along with snacks and drinks, with the family, usually around a dining table in the kitchen or dining room. This is a cherished time to connect, share stories, and ask questions in a relaxed, comfortable setting, while practicing conversational English with their hosts.
In the UK, dinnertime, often referred to as “supper” or sometimes “tea,” is a particularly special tradition. The evening meal is typically served early compared to other countries and often features hearty, home-cooked dishes like roast dinners, casseroles, or shepherd’s pie. Your host family would welcome your child helping with the cooking and sharing recipes from back home. They would not only enjoy learning how to cook new meals but also enjoy sharing such a special time with your child.
Respecting family rules and being polite will also be something your child will be expected to do. Saying please and thank you and offering to clear the table after a meal seem quite simple things to do but teenagers can forget! Keeping bedrooms and bathrooms tidy and respecting bedtimes is also appreciated. Your child might be asked to go to bed earlier than they would like to – any time away from school is an excuse for later nights – but they need to respect their host family’s routine. If your child likes watching films on their phone, it might be a case of negotiating when they can turn off their light.
Shared family mealtimes are a very important part of British culture. Your child will have breakfast, lunch and supper, along with snacks and drinks, with the family, usually around a dining table in the kitchen or dining room. This is a cherished time to connect, share stories, and ask questions in a relaxed, comfortable setting, while practicing conversational English with their hosts.
In the UK, dinnertime, often referred to as “supper” or sometimes “tea,” is a particularly special tradition. The evening meal is typically served early compared to other countries and often features hearty, home-cooked dishes like roast dinners, casseroles, or shepherd’s pie. Your host family would welcome your child helping with the cooking and sharing recipes from back home. They would not only enjoy learning how to cook new meals but also enjoy sharing such a special time with your child.
Respecting family rules and being polite will also be something your child will be expected to do. Saying please and thank you and offering to clear the table after a meal seem quite simple things to do but teenagers can forget! Keeping bedrooms and bathrooms tidy and respecting bedtimes is also appreciated. Your child might be asked to go to bed earlier than they would like to – any time away from school is an excuse for later nights – but they need to respect their host family’s routine. If your child likes watching films on their phone, it might be a case of negotiating when they can turn off their light.
When it comes to time away from homework, being welcomed into a host family gives your child the chance to enjoy everything they do to relax or keep busy. Whether that is being on their own in their bedroom relaxing with a book or playing games and chatting with members of the family, they’ll have the opportunity to join in or find time alone.
Trips to the theatre or cinema are popular with our families and they will be very happy to include your child if it’s something you as a family would like them to do. Visiting a nearby town or city to go shopping is also a trip most children enjoy, giving them opportunities to explore and learn about UK life. Your host family might be cyclists and encourage your child to join them, or they could love playing tennis and invite your child to play. If the family has a pet, your child might be going on long dog walks!
When it comes to time away from homework, being welcomed into a host family gives your child the chance to enjoy everything they do to relax or keep busy. Whether that is being on their own in their bedroom relaxing with a book or playing games and chatting with members of the family, they’ll have the opportunity to join in or find time alone.
Trips to the theatre or cinema are popular with our families and they will be very happy to include your child if it’s something you as a family would like them to do. Visiting a nearby town or city to go shopping is also a trip most children enjoy, giving them opportunities to explore and learn about UK life. Your host family might be cyclists and encourage your child to join them, or they could love playing tennis and invite your child to play. If the family has a pet, your child might be going on long dog walks!
Host families really play such an important role in caring and supporting your child. They not only offer their home to your child, but they also offer parental guidance and structure, entertainment and a feeling of security.
Host families really are a home away from home!
Host families really play such an important role in caring and supporting your child. They not only offer their home to your child, but they also offer parental guidance and structure, entertainment and a feeling of security.
Host families really are a home away from home!