Families are expected to provide adequate heating and lighting—many students who are studying for exams will study into the night so need to use their bedside lamp. Most students will bring their own laptops and need access to the internet. You will need to give them your internet access key in order for them to access your wifi network. If students cannot have access to the internet they are rarely happy. It is a vital part of their routines and also for many their main means of communication with their parents, family and friends back home.
bathroom facilities
Bathroom habits vary from family to family, as well as from country to country, and you are advised to explain your own house rules with regards to using bathroom facilities when your student first arrives.
Please explain arrangements for the disposal of sanitary towels/tampons, flushing of used toilet paper and how your shower/bath/other facilities operate in order to avoid accidents or damage. Please kindly ensure that there is sufficient hot water for your student to have a bath or shower once a day.
There should be a working lock on the bathroom door that is used by the student and all toilets in the interest of their own privacy. All members of the family should be asked to respect the privacy of our students and if possible agree certain times where they can use the bathroom and not be pressured by time or be interrupted.
Members of the family should be appropriately clothed at all times when in front of the student including walking to and from the bathroom.
There is a Bright World guideline that except in very exceptional circumstances where students and their parents are in agreement that there should be not more than 2 students per room in single beds and that they should be of the same sex. In addition, we recommend that the maximum number of students accommodated by a host family is no more than 3 at any one time. If you have a very large house with multiple bedrooms and we consider it absolutely appropriate for you to host more than three then we will inform you of this during our inspection.
a kind and caring home from home
The family should provide students with a clean, warm and comfortable room. If you have another student from another organisation who will be at the house or sharing with the student please consult with us and let us know so we can inform our parents and the student.
the room
The bedroom which is used to host the student should be the room which has been inspected by the Local Coordinator. Please do not offer a room to the student which has not been seen by the Local Coordinator.
The room should have a permanent bed (i.e. sofa beds, futon beds, high sleepers and bunk beds should not be used), chest of drawers and a wardrobe, a mirror and a bedside lamp by each bed. There should be somewhere available for the student to study. This could be either a desk in their room or a quiet area available elsewhere. Please ensure the room is decorated, clean, tidy and well presented for the student. The student is expected to keep their room clean and tidy during their stay.
laundry
Families should be prepared to do a reasonable amount of laundry for those staying for the half term (not usually during exeat weekends). Bedding should be changed every week and they should be provided with sufficient blankets and duvet to keep them warm.