| Information
The au-pair program offers
a good opportunity for the applicants to learn English language,
whilst living as a resident member of a English speaking Family.
Au-pair applicants usually are available for a minimum of
six months or those requesting an au-pair post for summer
term are obligates to serve the family for a minimum period
of 8 weeks.
All applicants for au-pair
accepted by the agency are aged between 17-30 years old, however
if you are over this age group you can still apply for a nanny
or housekeeper position.
All applicants (au-pair)
must be prepared to help the host family with general light
housework and help with young children for up to 5 hours a
day, or a maximum of 25 hours per week would be reasonable
for £55-70( this can be negotiate with the family) per
week pocket money.
An au-pair plus can expect
to work up to 35 hours per week for £75-100 pocket money.
Nanny/housekeeper pocket
money starts from £6.00 per hour.
During the school holidays
the au-pair may be asked to work more hours when the parents
are at work. However extra pocket money should be paid to
compensate the extra hours.
The au-pair must be given
free time daily to study or to pursue other interests. Two
days a week must be free and any evenings when baby - sitting
is not required.
One free day for an au-pair
plus per week.
The family host must provide
the au-pair with their own bedroom where they can study in
comfort. However, the au-pair must also be made to feel comfortable
and treated as part of the family. Not doing this may lead
the applicants becoming very lonely and unhappy and eventually
lead them wishing to leave the family.
Some applicants wish to go
to a language course , usually for a few hours a week. Au-pairs
are responsible for their own fees, but is extremely helpful
if the family can assist them in finding the most suitable
and convenient classes.
Once a family have decided
to have an au-pair and have selected an applicant, we shall
need a letter of invitation from them together with their
application to you giving you details of your family, duties,
free time and pocket money. We will contact you informally
to get a quick yes/no whilst forwarding this letter, together
with their application form, with instructions from us.
Applicants are responsible
for their own expenses to the UK, however it is understood
if the host family cannot collect the au-pair from the arrival
point of your entry into the UK that the host will pre book
and pay for your travel ticket to the town where you will
be au-pairing.
As an au-pair if you need
to drive it is important that you obtain an international
driving licence from your country.
Some families will provide
one or two driving lessons for the au-pair if you are apprehensive
about driving on the left side.
When the au-pair arrives,
give them to settle in, and become used to you and your family.
If they want, let them make a brief call home to let their
family know they have arrived safely. Be patients! Don’t
forget that the au-pairs is long way from home possibly for
the first time in their life.
When you talk to the au-pair
remember that their English is not very good, that they have
come to learn English. Talk to them slowly and particularly
distinctly for them to understand.
Choose a family carefully
make and sure you are going to be happy there as this family
will be part of your life throughout your stay in the UK. |
