Au Pair

Au Pair Information

 

 

What is an au pair?

The French phrase au pair means on equal terms - an au pair is a young, unmarried person, aged

17 - 27 who provides childcare in exchange for living with a foreign family. Au pairs usually come to England to learn English and to experience a new culture.

 

Au pairs’ duties

· Helping with children, taking children to and from school, babysitting

· Light housework (ironing, dusting, vacuuming, washing up)

· Preparing breakfast, snacks and light meals

 

Au pairs are considered to be working if they are required to be available and are not free to leave the house even if the are not actively working, for example if the children are in bed asleep.

 

Working hours and time off

Working hours per week:

· Au Pair: 25 hours plus 2 - 3 evening babysitting

· Au Pair Plus: as individually agreed but maximum 38 hours per week

· Mother’s Help: up to 45 hours per week plus 2 evenings babysitting

· Demi Pair: no more than 15 hours per week plus up to 3 evenings of babysitting

 

· Time off per week: 2 full days and other time by arrangement with the family including free time to study English at a college

 

Benefits

Pocket money:

· Au Pair: £60 for 25 hours

· Au Pair Plus: £70 for 30 hours; £80 for 35 hours

· Mother’s Help: £4.50 per hour

· Demi Pair: £30 - £40 per week

 

· Own bedroom and food

 

Registration Documents

· 1 filled Au Pair Application Form

· 2 photographs with your name on the reverse

· 1 Medical Certificate stating you are fit to work with children

· 2 (minimum) references from teachers / employers etc.

· 1 copy of your school leaving certificates

 

Please send or fax your application form with all the other accompanying items to:

             Swedish Connection Au Pair Agency

             84 Fitzjohn Avenue

             Barnet, Herts.

             EN5 2HW

             England

 

Letter to the family

Also, please include a letter introducing yourself to the Family in English: a “Dear Family” letter.

The letter is to give the family a good idea of who you are - it often replaces a personal interview with the employer so it is very important that there's plenty of information in it. The letter should include:

· Your name, age and country of origin

· Something about where you live

· Do you have any brothers and sisters

· Family background (what your parents do)

· Your education

· Your experience of caring for children, cooking and housekeeping

· Details of your interests and hobbies, likes and dislikes, whether you smoke or not

· Something about your personality (you are writing to your future employer so be positive!)

· The letter should be written in English by yourself. Please don't ask anybody to write it for you, it should show your personality and language skills.