Information for Aupairs

Welcome to www.aupairs4families.com where we hope to explain to you through the following information how we operate the Au Pair Programme which is totally different from employment.  Au Pairing is a cultural exchange programme whereby a young person between 18 & 30 will come & live as part of your family in order to experience host family life, host country culture and learn English.

Au Pair Programme: An au pair is not an employee or a full-time student but have features of both, he/she is expected according the protocol of the Au Pair Programme to be treated 'an equal' within the family unit.  When an au pair registers with an 'Au Pair Programme' with their Agent (our Partner Agents) in their home country there are specific documentation which they must complete and supply.

After registration and interview process, they can be rejected or accepted on to the Programme. If they have a criminal record or misdemeanour of any kind they are rejected.  All of our Partner Agents speak English which can help us with language interpretations should any misunderstandings or problems arise.  

Au Pairs who sign up to the ‘Au Pair Programme’ with their Agent in their own country; can request some important information which will have an impact on their host family selection; this information can be any of the following:-
Age group of children, Au Pairs always determine the age group they prefer.
Amount of pocket money, is a very important factor for them.
Number of children,   Au Pairs will indicate the number of children & age group.
Geographic location:  Au Pairs will determine if they want a city or country location

Why do we use Agents

We do not normally accept au pairs off the street as most of them are not prepared to supply the required documentation (except on very rare occasions).  If they have no Medical Certificate from their family Doctor; hence; we do not know what their medical history is like e.g. type 1 diabetes (as happened recently in Ireland), depression, epilepsy, bipolar behaviour, mood swings  etc. or other rare viruses.  Families can face similar problems by choosing au pairs from the Internet and other unknown sites.
Au Pair can work one week-end in four. (Month)
Au Pair should never be asked to baby-sit on her free days.

What the Family Should Provide for the Au Pair

• Private bedroom with key and no sharing.
• Two full days ABSOLUTELY free per week.
• Weekly Duty Roster;  (or sample) + statement of House Rules. 
• Holidays away with family do not count as holidays.
• Host Families shall grant long-term Au Pairs one week full paid vacation pocket money for every six months of their stay with the family.

Host Family

• You are the host family, not an employer.  Your au pair comes to learn English, make friends, and discover the host country culture.  She should be encouraged to speak English.  Patience is absolutely essential.  Having an au pair might be a big adjustment to your family; it is also a period of adjustment for your au pair.  She lives with a different family, in a different country, with a different language and it is probably the first time she is away from home for this length of time.  We therefore would ask you to try and find au pairs in your neighbourhood who would be willing to involve the girl on her free days and evenings.  This way the au pairs will make friends of her age, get a break from the family (work), speak English and will enjoy stay.  Some au pairs like to go out and socialise a lot with other au pairs.  Other au pairs do not wish to socialise with au pairs from their native country because they come to Ireland or UK to mix with the Irish & UK families and therefore prefer to stay at ‘home’.  Host families have to be happy to accept this difference in au pair personalities.  The au pair should be invited to join in outing, meals and family occasions.  After all, she is a member of your family.

 Au Pair

• The duties of an au pair are primarily to help with your children and take care of their needs e.g. wake the children, wash, dress, prepare the children for school, prepare some very light meals or snacks for the children.  Take children to and from school, take the children for walks, go swimming, play and talk to the children about the culture & history of their own country such as hobbies, games, and other activities etc.   
• Helping with light housework: - light hovering (not heavy hovering), keeping the kitchen clean & tidy, load the washing machine & hang out the washing, collect when dry and fold. Iron children’s clothes only.  Load & empty the dishwasher plus general tidying up.