What can I expect from my au pair?
Depending on the country you are based in you can expect different things from your au pair. In the UK a standard au pair will usually work for 25-30 hours per week. An au pair may have some childcare/babysitting experience but does not have formal childcare qualifications. Standard au pairs cannot take sole charge of children under the age of 2.
- Au pairs are aged between 17-27 and
their chief purpose for being in the country is to learn the language
and assimilate the culture.
- An au pair lives with you and should
be treated as part of the family. Au pairs earn board and lodging and a
small amount of money each week in return for childcare and light
housework.
- Many people tend to lump nannies and
au pairs into the same category but they are totally different. Au
pairs are NOT nanny-substitutes, and usually have no formal childcare
training. R.E.C (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) stipulates
that au pairs should never have sole charge of children under the age of
two.
- Au pairs are often seen as the
'Cinderellas' of the childcare industry. Agencies are often faced with
problems of au pairs being treated as cheap labour by people who should
be employing qualified nannies. Frequently they are left alone with
young children for long hours and given heavy housework duties far in
excess of what they should be asked to do.
- An au pair should have their own bedroom and be allowed proper time to study English.
- Visit The British Au Pair Agencies Association for more information
Duties:
Assist with light housework, help in the kitchen and care for school age
children. They should also be available for babysitting one or two
evenings per week.
Qualifications:
Au pairs have no formal training in caring for children and may have little or no experience.
- See more at: http://www.bestbear.co.uk/childcare-information/au-pairs.php#sthash.f6lpfsDk.dpuf
An au pair is often called an older sister in their host family as the au pair lives as part of the family during the time that they stay with the family, rather than being an employee.
A standard au pair can be expected to:
-Work 25-30 hours per week but au pairs from the EU can work up to 35 hours per week.
-one to two evenings of babysitting per week (with a maximum of one of these to be at the weekend).
-To have one full day off at the weekend and one full weekend off per month.
-Have 5 free evenings per week.
-A standard au pair is most suitable for a family with school going children (a mother's help is more suitable for families with very young children).
What do I need to provide my au pair with?
An au pair should have their own room and have all meals provided. An au pair will pay for their own travel expenses and language classes unless otherwise agreed with their host family. Au pairs often study English classes and should be allowed to attend these.
What housework can I expect my au pair to do?
An au pair's main responsibility is childcare but an au pair can be expected to carry out some household duties. We usually recommend that an au pair does approximately 1 hour of housework per day. Duties include housework related to the children such as keeping the children's toys and bedrooms tidy, giving them snacks. An au pair can also be expected to keep the kitchen tidy, the children's laundry and some hoovering. An au pair is not usually expected to cook the family dinner but in some cases an au pair will enjoy cooking dinner for the family on occassion. We usually recommend that an au pair does approximately 1 hour of housework per day.
Insurance
An au pair from the EU does not require additional health insurance as they are covered under the National Health System.
What holidays does my au pair get?
The BAPAA recommends 4 weeks holidays per year as well as all bank/public holidays.
British Au Pair Agencies Association
Pocket money
Pocket money of between £75-£85 per week (depending on hours) should be paid on an agreed day each week.
For more information please contact us at info@kangarooaupair.com or call us on 0044 203 1511660
Duties:
Assist with light housework, help in the kitchen and care for school age
children. They should also be available for babysitting one or two
evenings per week.
Qualifications:
Au pairs have no formal training in caring for children and may have little or no experience.
- See more at: http://www.bestbear.co.uk/childcare-information/au-pairs.php#sthash.f6lpfsDk.dpuf
- Au pairs are aged between 17-27 and
their chief purpose for being in the country is to learn the language
and assimilate the culture.
- An au pair lives with you and should
be treated as part of the family. Au pairs earn board and lodging and a
small amount of money each week in return for childcare and light
housework.
- Many people tend to lump nannies and
au pairs into the same category but they are totally different. Au
pairs are NOT nanny-substitutes, and usually have no formal childcare
training. R.E.C (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) stipulates
that au pairs should never have sole charge of children under the age of
two.
- Au pairs are often seen as the
'Cinderellas' of the childcare industry. Agencies are often faced with
problems of au pairs being treated as cheap labour by people who should
be employing qualified nannies. Frequently they are left alone with
young children for long hours and given heavy housework duties far in
excess of what they should be asked to do.
- An au pair should have their own bedroom and be allowed proper time to study English.
- Visit The British Au Pair Agencies Association for more information
Duties:
Assist with light housework, help in the kitchen and care for school age
children. They should also be available for babysitting one or two
evenings per week.
Qualifications:
Au pairs have no formal training in caring for children and may have little or no experience.
- See more at: http://www.bestbear.co.uk/childcare-information/au-pairs.php#sthash.f6lpfsDk.dpuf
