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Useful Info for Family

• Why hire an Au Pair?
• Who is an Au Pair?
• Rights and obligations of your Au Pair
• Work period
• Allowance money
• Accommodations
• Communication
• Before your Au Pair’s arrival
• The first days
• Agree on the details
• Driving
• Smoking
• Pets
• Studies
• Your Au Pair’s free time
• What documents to check?
• Questions to ask
• Warning

•  Why hire an Au Pair?
  Hiring an Au Pair is truly an excellent way to establish balance in your Family life. The Au Pair will provide you a great deal of help in handling everyday tasks with your children and with activities related to the operation of your household. Having an Au Pair can help you resolve the matter of how to divide your time between you work obligations and your personal interests and the time you devote to your Family.
•  Who is an Au Pair?
  An Au Pair is a single, childless girl or a single boy 18 to 30 years of age, who, for the purpose of perfecting language skills, discovering new cultures, parts of the world, other customs and friends goes to a foreign country for a period of up to 24 months. The task of an Au Pair is to help the host Family with their children and small amounts of housework, for which they receive allowance money. Today even a couple can work as Au Pairs.
•  Rights and obligations of your Au Pair
  The main reason you invite an Au Pair into your Family life is because you need help, particularly with your children. This help involves looking after the children, playing with them, waking them up in the morning, preparing breakfast, taking them to school and picking them up afterwards, preparing light meals, helping during feeding and changing babies, bathing, putting children to bed, and similar matters. The Au Pair’s work may likewise involve helping with small household chores such as washing the dishes, dusting, hoovering, cleaning bedrooms, doing the laundry, and ironing. Their responsibilities, however, should mainly be related to work with the children. In no case should you use the Au Pair only for cleaning and as cheap domestic labour.
•  Work period
  The Au Pair’s work period is approximately 5 hours per day, 5 days a week, plus one or two evenings of babysitting, which you should let the Au Pair know about sufficiently in advance. If you require a work period longer than 5 hours per day you can consider hiring a so-called “Au Pair plus,” which is an individual that works 7 or 8 hours per day. Naturally you will be required to pay them more allowance money. The work period and level of allowance depends on the agreement you reach with your Au Pair.
•  Allowance money
  The level of allowance money is set in the specific country and it is necessary to heed the minimum amount to avoid violating the law. In general allowance fees fall in the following ranges: traditional Au Pair – 60 British pounds per week, 110 dollars, or 85 Euro. Au pair plus – 90 British pounds per week, 165 dollars, or 125 Euro. Again, these allowance money rates are only orientational; rates change every year and also vary by country. Therefore we recommend that both the host Family and the Au Pair find out what the local rates are. All Au Pairs have the right to a 14 day paid holiday, which can be taken after they have worked at least two months. The Au Pair must inform the host Family of their intention to take this holiday time sufficiently in advance.
•  Accommodations
  You should realize that your Au Pair will being living in your house along with you and your Family; therefore it is important that you choose your Au Pair with great care. Having an Au Pair requires various restrictions you should be aware of ahead of time. The majority of these are small things that can be joined together. You should consider your Au Pair as a member of the Family, not as a servant. You will see that a friendly approach and fair treatment will pay off for you. It is necessary to realize that your Au Pair is in an entirely foreign environment. At the beginning you can expect a language barrier that might be very hard on the Au Pair. Be patient and try to help with communication; ask her questions that are simple to answer. She doesn’t have anyone else nearby to talk to. The first days will truly be difficult for her. To help her feel better it is necessary to engage her in your Family life. Take her along on Family trips, invite her to eat dinner with the Family, and similar things. And while it may seem normal that the girl (boy) eats dinner with their host Family, many times this isn't the case. The Family might buy the Au Pair cheaper food; in the worst case she is forced to eat alone. This is unethical. You need to prepare a private room for your Au Pair, including a comfortable bed, writing desk with chair, etc. The Au Pair must have access to a bathroom. Her own privacy is essential for peaceful coexistence. Teach your children to knock on the door of her room before they enter.
•  Communication
  Mutual communication is extremely important, so make an effort to talk with your Au Pair. Ask her what she has done during the day, if she has met anyone new, and what she learned in school. In return tell her something interesting or funny that has happened to you. This type of communication will not only strengthen your friendship, it will help your Au Pair break through the language barrier. When a problem arises don’t be afraid to resolve it immediately. It is absolutely normal that occasionally there will be some misunderstandings between you and your Au Pair. The majority of these problems are small things that can be cleared up easily. If you sit down and have a calm talk you will be relieved. Therefore, don’t avoid these unpleasant conversations. Also be sure to give your Au Pair the opportunity to express her own opinion and possible dissatisfaction.
•  Before your Au Pair’s arrival
  Our search service offers you many Au Pairs to choose from. Before you make your choice it is a good idea to talk with more than one Au Pair. When you have made your choice be sure to remain in close contact with your Au Pair. Keep in touch by e-mail, exchange photographs, and try to give her a call. In this way you will get to know each other better and create a friendly relationship. Before her arrival agree on a detailed schedule of work responsibilities. Don’t try to withhold any information: for example, be sure to mention that you have a pet you will expect the Au Pair to take care of. It might turn out, however, that your Au Pair is allergic to animal hair, and would therefore not be able to do this work. The Au Pair should know in advance what her work will entail. She should also familiarize you with her conditions before she arrives. We should point out that neither your Au Pair nor you will be required to do anything that is not specified in your contract. For organizational and safety reasons it is necessary for you to agree upon a firm arrival date. Find out how your Au Pair will be travelling to your home and request a copy of her itinerary. Make sure you have exchanged mobile phone numbers just in case you need to get in touch.
•  The first days
  This is a good time to get to know your Au Pair well. When she first arrives you should let her catch her breath; she will certainly be tired from the long journey. She must get used to different climatic conditions, a time change, new people, a new home, and the fact that she is away from her own Family – very likely for the first time in her life. Sometimes it happens that the Au Pair overestimates her ability to be away and will want to return home after just a few months on the job. Therefore, good communication is very important during this acclimatization phase. Familiarize her with household routines right from the beginning and show her how you like to things to be done. Acquaint her in detail about caring for the children. Be aware that your Au Pair is not a professional nanny and that it is not uncommon that your Au Pair will not have any experience with children. Point out any mistakes she might make.
•  Agree on the details
  Sit down with your Au Pair and discuss her work responsibilities. We recommend that you write everything out to avoid any future misunderstandings. These conditions must be respected by both parties. If problems arise speak to your Au Pair about them. Brief your Au Pair on household routines; show her the security alarm, your appliances, and other similar matters. Secure a physician for your Au Pair. It is absolutely normal for minor injuries to occur in households, so be prepared for such eventualities and register your Au Pair with the nearest doctor. Show your Au Pair what to do when your children suffer an injury. Make her a complete list of emergency numbers.
•  Driving
  If you will need your Au Pair to drive your car (taking the children to and from school, shopping, trips) make sure that she has a valid driver’s license and sufficient experience on the road. In some countries traffic runs on the opposite side of the road. We therefore recommend that you arrange a driving course for your Au Pair; your children’s safety is at stake, after all. Be sure to arrange the necessary car insurance for your Au Pair.
•  Smoking
  If it is important to you to have a non-smoking Au Pair, be sure to choose the right candidate. If you are smokers, be sure to point out this fact.
•  Pets
  If you have pets or other domestic animals be sure to mention this to your Au Pair, especially if you will require her to take care of them. This is especially important because your new Au Pair might be allergic to pet hair or might simply not like animals. When she arrives give her detailed instructions on how to take care of your pet.
•  Studies
  All Au Pairs have the right to study. It is typical for an Au Pair to study the language of the given country. This language course usually meets two or three times a week and is completed with a final international exam. It is also possible to study other fields; this depends, however, on the courses offered by the local schools. Large towns typically have more schools. You should offer your Au Pair advice in choosing the most appropriate school, including information regarding the location of the school, the cost of courses, and similar matters. In most cases the Au Pair pays for these studies from the money they make. You can help her out with the tuition for these studies. Attending school is a good way for your Au Pair to make new friends. Schools may offer get-together parties, sightseeing trips and other events that allow foreign students to meet and share adventures. School is a pleasant way for your Au Pair to relax.
•  Your Au Pair’s free time
  Each Au Pair has the right to do no nearly anything they wish in their free time. She should however let you know how she spends this time and what time she will come home. This isn’t required, but if your Au Pair doesn't share this information with you and you are worried, be sure to talk with her about it. If you Family does certain activities like hiking, cycling, or making other trips, it is a good idea to invite your Au Pair along. You will see that it will strengthen your relationship.
•  What documents to check?
  To make a safer selection it will be good to request copies of the following documents:
  An extract from the Criminal Register
  Medical confirmation
  Passport
  Driver’s license
  Photographs with children
  Visa
•  Questions to ask
  1. Why do you want to be an Au Pair? (If the applicant hasn’t listed care for children as one of the reasons they would like to do this job it might be best to consider someone else).
  
  2. Have you ever spent a longer time away from home? It is possible that there is a strong bond between the Au Pair and her Family; the Au Pair may become homesick and want to return home.
  
  3. Do you have any previous experience with this type of work? If yes, what was your favourite part of this work? What made you decide to work as an Au Pair again?
  
  4. If you have already worked as an Au Pair did you stay with your Family for the entire contracted period? If no, why not? (this could involve a serious reason for leaving. Request a contact to the previous Family).
  
  5. What is your experience with children? What do you enjoy about working with children? Have you ever bathed or fed children?
  
  6. How old were the children you took care of?
  
  7. If she has never worked as an Au Pair ask her why she has chosen this type of work and what she thinks her presence can bring the children.
  
  8. Describe some specific hypothetical situation to the Au Pair and ask her to say what she would do (for example, how would she entertain the children in a certain situation?). Are you aware of what it’s like to spend 25 to 42 hours a week with children? Do you have any such experience?
  
  10. Can you handle the basics of first aid? (this could have critical significance in the event of an emergency)
  
  11. What is your style of handling children?
  
  12. Do you know how to cook? What types of food would you prepare for children?
  
  13. Do you help out at home? Do you mind housework? Are you willing to hoover, wash dishes, etc.?
  
  14. Do you have any health problems or allergies?
  
  15. How do you feel about pets? Would you mind taking care of them? (feeding and walking a dog?)
  
  16. Do you smoke? If so, how often? How many cigarettes do you smoke a day?
  
  17. Are you a vegetarian? If yes, would you mind cooking meat for the children?
  
  18. Do you have any special eating habits?
  
  19. Do you have a driver’s license? For how long? How often do you drive? Are you experienced in driving longer distances?
  
  20. Have you ever been to England? (the USA, France, Germany – use the relevant country)
  
  21. Are you familiar with the local culture and Family values
  
  22. Are you willing to live for the entire period where your host Family lives? (large city, small town, rural area, farm, village, far from the centre…)
  
  23. In what type of area do you live in at home?
  
  24. What is your relationship with your Family like? If this relationship is not good, what happened?
  
  25. What do they think of your plans to go away to work?
  
  26. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? What do they think about you going away? Are they ok with it? Will they want to come visit you?
  
  27. What are your hobbies?
  
  28. What special skills do you have? (playing the piano, drawing...) If you want to take advantage of these skills for your children, or if you are in fact specifically looking for an Au Pair with these special skills, ask candidates how long they have been doing these activitiec and if they have any professional training.
  
  29. Do you like sports activities, travelling, bike riding, swimming…?
  
  30. How would you like to spend your free time? What would you like to achieve?
  
  31. What did you study at school?
  
  32. What was your last job?
  
  33. How long have you studied English (French, German, Russian…) (Naturally use the language in which the Au Pair will communicate.)
  
  34. Ask about references. Speak with the references.
  
  
•  Warning
  In no case expect the Au Pair to give you any money ahead of time, as this is a common scam run on Au Pairs. You will notice that this warning is repeated often on our web site so that Au Pairs will be fully aware of it. You could easily land on our black list even if you had good intentions. We wish you luck in your search for an Au Pair.
  Your ProfiAupair team.