Frequently Asked Questions & information What is an Au-pair? What age are they and what duties do they do? Freetime & Conditions Language Tuition Pocket Money Invitation letter & Travel Police Registration National Insurance & Healthcare Driving in a Foreign Country Do I need a visa? View page in: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Norwegian   What is an Au-pair? The Au-Pair arrangement offers a good opportunity for girls & boys from Western and Eastern Europe to learn a new language whilst living as a member of a resident native speaking family. Au-Pair applicants are usually available for a minimum of 6 months. There are a number of au-pairs who want to come for approximately 2-3 months during the summer holiday period. Age & Duties Most Aupairs are between 18 and 27 years of age. An Au-Pair must be prepared to help their host family with general light housework and to help with young children for upto five hours per day, or a maximum of 25 hours per week. In addition, 2 evenings babysitting per week would be reasonable. It cannot be too strongly stressed that au-pairs are not trained nannies or domestic servants, they should not be expected to take sole responsibility for children or household duties. Several weeks "training" may be necessary before s/he can do their share of the light housework. During school holidays, an Au-Pair may be asked to look after children more when the mother is working. Families are expected to compensate for this either in pocket money or free time. However, aupairs should never be expected to work excessive hours. An au-pair plus is an au-pair who does more than 25 hours a week for extra pocket money. Free Time and Conditions You will be given free time daily to study or to pursue other interests. Two whole days a week must be completely free and any evenings when babysitting is not required. You should have your own room where you can study in comfort, however most families welcome you to share in the social life of the host family, as if you were a member of it. An au-pair does not normally work more than 25 hours per week. You would have your own room and meals provided by the family. Language Tuition You will probably wish to follow a language course, usually for a few hours 2-3 times a week. This may take the form of private lessons or group classes at a private language school or technical college. Au-Pairs are responsible for their own fees, but families will assist you in finding the most suitable and convenient classes. Pocket Money Generally the same in all Countries. In the UK, The Home Office recommends from £50 per week, this must be paid on a weekly basis to the Au-Pair. Au-Pairs staying with families in country areas who have to travel quite far to language classes should receive above the "standard" pocket money to offset the cost of bus or train fares to their classes. An au-pair plus normally earns approximately £75 depending on the hours. We have also been advised by the Home Office that it would be reasonable for the family to give the Au-Pair two weeks notice when wishing to end the Au-Pair arrangement prematurely, you should also give the family 2 weeks notice if you decide to leave. Pocket money will be approximately the same in all countries. Invitation and Travel Once your family has decided to invite you as their au-pair, they will write you a letter of invitation, giving you details of thier family, your duties, free time and pocket money. You are responsible for your own travelling expenses. It is generally understood that the family will meet you at a major airport or mainline railway station. Police Registration A student from a non ec country must inspect their passport stamp on arrival as it may require that s/he reports to the Police at the Aliens Registration Office within seven days of their arrival, taking with them their passport, two passport sized photographs and a fee of approximately £34 (UK price). In England, Au-pairs from EEC countries need only apply for a permit of residence when they have been in England for almost six months and wish to remain longer. They must then obtain Form Eec1 from the local Job Center. Au-pairs are responsible for their own registration fee. Au-pairs should check with their local Embassy or Consulate for the country they are going to. National Insurance & Health care You should check before traveling that you will be adequately covered for health care. In the UK, this is not paid for an Au-Pair. Most Au-Pairs can be treated under the National Health Service, although au-pairs from countries who do not have a reciprocal agreement with Great Britain should arrange for private cover before arriving in England. Always check with your consulate before travelling. Driving If you intend to drive as an au-pair, ensure you have a suitable driving licence or permit for the country you are going to. It might be a good idea to have one or two driving lessons when you arrive. Do I need a visa? This will depend on your country and the country you are going to. Mainly Eastern European Au-pairs, from Turkey, Slovak, Croatia etc will need to apply for a visa. Telephone the consulate of the country you wish to go to thats in your country for more details. To obtain a visa you will need the family invitation letter, and take along to an interview all papers that they require.   Being an Au-pair can be great fun and very rewarding!

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