What Countries can I go
to? |
| Western
Europe, USA and, with about 6 months childcare experience,
Australia and Canada. |
| |
| How
long am I expected to stay? |
| For
at least 6 months. Stays over summer can be for
as little as a couple of months though demand is
high so early application is advisable. The minimum
stay in the US is a year. |
| |
| Do
I need experience or qualifications? |
| For
many jobs a genuine affection for children is the
only requirement. Practical experience is an advantage,
as is an outgoing nature for coping and living with
new people in a foreign country. You should also
be mature and responsible. |
| |
| Any
employment regulations? |
| Visas
for the United States are taken care of by your
programme co-ordinator. EU citizens can work freely
in any other EU country. |
| |
| Do
I need to speak a foreign language? |
| Often
an au pair is hired to help the children with their
English. A little knowledge of the local lingo is
helpful though, both for you and everybody who has
to deal with you. A good knowledge of German may
be required in Germany. |
| |
| Are
there any age limits? |
| The
minimum age is 18, the max 27. For Germany the max
is 24 and in Holland it's 25. Italy and Belgium
will accept au pairs as young as 17. The age range
for America is 18 to 26. |
| |
| Are
men accepted? |
| Men
as au pairs were, until recently, rare enough to
make the occasional newspaper article and forbidden
to work officially in the UK. This anomaly
has been corrected and most agencies can place male
au pairs, although some say they have difficulty. |
| |
| Do
I need a driving licence? |
| It
is an advantage to have one. For the au pair in
America programme it is compulsory as most families
require a driver. |
| |
| What
will my duties be? |
| Helping
with the children, including babysitting and some
light housework: ironing, dusting, hoovering, simple
cooking, making the beds, laundry, etc. |
| |
| How
much free time will I have? |
| A
minimum of one full day a week plus time to study.
Other free time is by arrangement with the family. |
| |
| Where
will I stay? |
| You
have your own room and eat with the family. |
| |
| What's
the money like? |
| Not
great, but meals and lodging are free. Expect about
£30 to £50 a week in Europe. Jobs in
the USA pay around $120 per week. |
| |
| How
much does an agency charge to place me? |
| £40
at most, payable when placed, but many agencies
provide a free service to au pairs and make their
income from the parents. You may also be charged
a few quid for a police check. |
| |
| Who
pays for my travel expenses? |
| You
usually do unless your new family has offered to
pay. In the USA airfares are included with the programme. |
| |
| How
much money will I need to take? |
| You
should have a return ticket or enough money to purchase
one. It is also recommended that you have about
£100 for emergencies. |
| |
| Can
I study while abroad? |
| Yes.
In the US $500 will be put toward studying at a
local college. In Europe it is normal for the au
pair to pay her own fees for language courses, which
are usually very reasonable at local colleges or
schools. |
| |
| Do
I need insurance? |
| Some
agencies insist that you take out insurance and
will provide details of an insurance agency that
specialises in au pairs. Others believe that EU
reciprocal agreements should suffice for any medical
emergencies. Contact the DSS for details. |
| |
| What
will I need to provide before being placed? |
| Various
agencies have various requirements. Expect to have
to provide any or all of the following: a detailed
application, passport photos, a medical certificate,
references, photos of you with your family or with
children, an essay about yourself or why you want
to work where you do, and a deposit. |
| |
| Will
I be able to meet other au pairs? |
| Yes,
many agencies help au pairs contact each other.
In the USA au pairs are placed in clusters and encouraged
to mix. |
| |
| What
happens if I have problems while abroad? |
| The
agency is there to help you and can change you to
a new family if the problem is serious. |
| |
| Can
I smoke? |
| That
depends on the family you are placed with. Some
agencies insist that you sign a no smoking agreement
if you are placed with a non smoking family. |
| |
| Do
I have to register with the police when I arrive? |
| Some
countries require you to do so. British au pairs
do not have to pay a fee in EU countries. |
| |
| Any
further advice or reading? |
|
Agencies
have been through placing au pairs loads of times
so are a good place to ask for advice. A useful
publication is The Au
Pair and Nanny's Guide to Working Abroad
The
latest edition is available
from amazon.co.uk
|
