WANT TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER CULTURE, EARN MONEY, MAKE FRIENDS AND MAYBE LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?
WHAT IS AN AU PAIR?
The au pair experience is a cultural exchange program. As an au pair you get the chance to earn and learn in a family setting. Your time in language classes is combined with practical daily conversations.
In exchange for helping out with childcare duties and light housework, you are welcomed as a member of the host family and given full board accommodation and pocket money.
WHAT IS AN AU PAIR?
Traditionally, for the au pair program you must fit the following:
- Aged 18 or over
- be unmarried and have no children
- be flexible, friendly and open
- be happy to help with childcare and light housework for 25-30 hours per week
- stay for a minimum of 6 months
- stay for a maximum of 24 months
- be fit and healthy
- no criminal record
HOURS & POCKET MONEY
Pocket money varies depending on the number of hours and the level of experience of the au pair.
Basic payment
In all cases, families should provide a comfortable room and full board (all meals included) for the au pair. Working hours should allow an au pair to study and attend structured classes. Two days per week should be free and suitable compensation should be received if extra work is required.
Additional payment and rewards
Some families, especially in remote areas, will also contribute towards travel expenses. There are also families who are prepared to pay for or contribute towards the cost of language lessons.
It is very important to agree in advance what you expect from each other.
Au Pair (25-30 hours per week including babysitting)
- On duty approx. 5 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Babysitting can be 2-3 evenings per week
- Free time minimum 2 full days and 3 evenings
- Recommended minimum pocket money £70
- Recommended minimum pocket money native speaker £100
- Limited light housework
- No sole care for children under 2
Au Pair Plus* & Summer Au Pair (31-35 hours per week including babysitting)
- On duty approx. 6 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Babysitting can be 2-3 evenings per week
- Free time minimum 2 full days and 3 evenings
- Recommended minimum pocket money £85
- Limited light housework
- No sole care for children under 2
Tutor** (25-30 hours per week including babysitting)
- Works 5 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Baby sits 2-3 evenings per week
- Receives 2 free days and 3 evenings off
- Recommended minimum pocket money from £100
- Focus on educational support, school age children – very limited light housework
Mother's Help* (35+ hours per week)
- Works up to 10 hours, 5 days per week
- Baby sits 2-3 evenings per week
- Receives at least 1 full free day and 3 evenings off
- Pay minimum £130 - 35 hrs, £150 - 40 hrs, £180 – 45 hrs for Europeans
- Pay minimum £180 - 35 hrs, £210 – 40 hrs, £230 – 45 hrs for native speakers
- More responsibility, younger children and/or longer hours, more housework
*mother's helpers or tutors are not officially part of the au pair cultural exchange scheme. They are candidates who are willing and able to take on higher levels of responsibility, but not fully qualified like a nanny or teacher.
Please read more information about mother's help or more information about tutor program.
Extra hours for au pairs are usually paid at minimum £4 per hour.
NOTE TO ALL AU PAIRS – During the (summer) holidays you may be asked to do extra hours. Holiday pocket money should reflect the extra hours. Most language schools are CLOSED during July/August.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?
For many jobs a real affection for children is the only requirement. Practical experience is an advantage, even if it is only babysitting, as is an outgoing nature for coping and living with new people in a foreign country. You should also be flexible, honest, mature and responsible.
Au pairs with extensive experience in childcare are however very popular. If you have a background in education or you have been au pair before, we can often find you a position very quickly. Some families are prepared to pay more for experienced au pairs, especially if you are willing to look after yournger children.
Additional advantages:
- Talents/sports that you can share with the children (such as swimming or painting)
- Flexibility and enthusiasm
- (International) driving license
- Understanding of first aid
- Good level of English (and write in your ' more about you' section what other languages you speak!)
If you have more experience, you may consider being a mother's help. Expect to be asked specific questions about your experience during your interview.
EXPECTED TASKS
Tasks will vary by family, but expect the following to be part of your duties in most families.
- Wake the children in the morning and get them ready
- Help the children to tidy their rooms and make their beds
- Prepare breakfast and lunch for the children
- Clean up breakfast dishes
- Make sure children have books and homework for school, drive children to/from school (if needed)
- Tasks while children are at school: shopping, light housework
- Prepare a healthy afternoon snack
- Assist the children with their homework, initiate and supervise play
- Help the children with their bath routine and help get them ready for bed
Host families describe their requirements on the profile and they are able to prepare a handbook, that smartaupairs provides them. It helps to define the job so that expectations are clear.
HOW ABOUT FREE TIME?
An au pair should have 2 days and several evenings per week of free time. New friends are usually quickly made through language classes and children’s activities. In the first weeks, you can ask the host family to help find other au pairs in the area.
HOW TO GET THERE?
There are many low cost airlines that offer flights to/from (regional) airports. Coaches travel takes longer but it's cheaper and allows you to bring much more luggage. Au pairs are expected to pay for their own travel to the host country (nearest airport to host family). The host family will pick you up from the airport or arrange for collection. For more information, see travel in FAQs & information.