FAQ & Information – Au pair families in the uk.

THIS INFORMATION MAY HELP YOUR PREPARATION. WE'LL ALSO SEND YOU INFORMATION BY E-MAIL, EXACTLY WHEN YOU NEED IT!

FAQ & INFORMATION

SALARY GUIDE

VISA REQUIREMENTS AND NATIONALITIES

TRAVEL TO BRITAIN

AU PAIR DRIVING

INSURANCE

KEEPING IN TOUCH

UNHAPPY

CHILD UNDER 2 OR CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS & SERVICES

EEA COUNTRIES

FAQs AND INFORMATION

Please find here the information you may want to read in preparation of your au pair's arrival. These are also answers to the frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can e-mail us on

info@smartaupairs.com

SALARY GUIDE

An au pair takes part in a cultural childcare program. They get the opportunity to earn and learn.

This salary guide is exactly that, a guide to indicate what the allowance/pocket money salary may be. It is part of a package. As a family, you also look after your au pair by giving the following

A bedroom. Mostly within the family home and varying in level of comfort. In some families au pairs have their own bathroom, TV, DVD player etc.
Full board

And in some cases there are other elements to consider

Use of car in for her/his spare time,
Chance to travel abroad with the family
Internet (broadband) access to keep in touch with home
A mobile phone with limited personal use funded (pay as you go)
Membership to (sports) clubs
Payment of/towards English classes
Payment of/towards First Aid qualification
Payment towards travel expenses on public transport
Payment of a flight home after agreed period of successful performance

These are all factors that play a part in the salary level. You may have an amount in mind, based on what you are looking for in terms of

The level of previous childcare experience. A prospective au pair should be able to quantify their experience in the number of hours, weeks, years of caring full time for children in the relevant age group. Occasional babysitting means less previous experience than teaching a group of young children on a daily basis.
The number of hours she/he will be required, the total number of hours plays a role but also ‘split shifts’ or regular evening and weekend requirements
The level of responsibility she/he will be required to take, how many children to look after, age of children, sole care, driving required etc
The level of education and spoken English. The au pair’s influence on a child’s development is important, as she/he will spend many hours in their company. An educated au pair with good command of the English language is in a better position to stimulate the children and contribute towards their development.

Please find below the guidelines for the main categories of au pairs. It is very important to agree in advance what you expect from each other.

Au Pair (25-30 hours per week)

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 pay from £70 - 25 hrs
No sole care for children under 2

Au Pair Plus (30-35 hours per week)

Works 6 hours per day, 5 days per week
Baby sits 2-3 evenings per week
Receives 2 free days and 3 evenings off
Recommended pay from £ 85 - 30 hrs
No sole care for children under 2

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 free day and 3 evenings off
Weekly pay from £100 - 25 hours, from £120 - 35 hours, from £150 - 40 hours
More responsibility, younger children and/or longer hours

Tutor** (25-30 hours per week)

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 pay from £1000 - 25 hrs
Real focus on educational support, school age children

*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.

We can help find candidates from the EU who are willing to work over 35 hours and/or offer more experience. Pay varies depending on age, experience and hours. Tax and NI contributions are payable as soon as pay is more than £115 per week. (£ 6,035 tax year 2008/09)

Extra hours for au pairs are usually paid at minimum £4 per hour.

Parents who use an approved child carer will be able to receive some financial support towards their employment costs. Find out how you can help your Mother's help or even your au pair to become an approved carer so that you can benefit both financially and due to their increased knowledge on childcare. childcare approval scheme

For more information on Tax and NI contributions see www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/it.html

VISA REQUIREMENTS AND NATIONALITIES

At smartaupairs au pair agency we specialise in au pairs from Europe (EEA), because there are no visa requirements, no work permits and no restrictions. This means the process is easy and quick and the au pair arrangement offers you the ultimate flexibility. We do however also have au pair candidates on our books from Turkey and Macedonia, who do need a visa. Our fees reflect the delay and contractual restrictions (max. 25 hours) caused by the visa process.

As a potential host family in Britain, you are in a fortunate position, as so many talented and ambitious young people recognise the value of learning English and want to do so here. They would like to earn and learn and provide cultural childcare.

It would be impossible to recommend one nationality over another. But here are some of the reasons why we focus mainly on EEA countries. (list below)

If you choose a person from within the EEA, they will not need a visa. If you need someone quickly, a visa application can cause delay.
A driving license issued in an EEA country can be used in Britain for up to 12 months. For more information, see link below.
No restrictions on duration, age and working hours, giving you the utmost flexibility for your au pair requirement.
If you travel frequently on short breaks or long-haul, a person from another EEA country can travel with you without the need to obtain an additional visa.
Many local colleges offer part-funded language courses provided by the council, like ESOL courses, they are usually restricted to EU nationals.
For au pairs who originate from Europe, it is much easier and affordable to go home for a break. This ensures a high success rate.

Would you like to find out where your au pair candidate is from? To find out, enter the name of the town or the postal code on www.multimap.com to see their location. For more information about their country, see BBC country profiles

TRAVEL TO BRITAIN

There are a wide range of low cost airlines that offer flights to (regional) airports. Au pairs are expected to pay for their own flight but the host family should collect the au pair from the airport or arrange for collection.

You can help your au pair by recommending your local airport and or an airline that offers good value.

Some au pairs may choose to travel by coach or even by car, as luggage restrictions on flights may mean they can only bring limited amounts.

AU PAIR DRIVING

If your au pair has a full, clean driving license from another EEA country, they are permitted to drive in Britain. Check www.DVLA.gov.uk if you want to know more.

However, the fact that the au pair has a driving license does not guarantee suitability to drive in Britain. As driving in Britain is quite different from the continent (driving on the left, roundabouts, levels of traffic) it is best to consider a driver with some driving experience (regular driving with town, countryside and motorway experience).

To familiarise them with driving in Britain, you should give them the ‘highway code’, book a few lessons with a qualified driving instructor and give them time to practice before driving your vehicle on their own and transporting your children.

If you need them to drive your vehicle, you will need to arrange appropriate insurance for the car they will be driving. Most insurance companies will insure EEA drivers and even their no-claims bonus may be transferable.

You cannot expect an au pair to pay for any damage. Petrol must be provided for use on duty, but the au pair may be asked to contribute towards petrol for personal use whilst off duty.

INSURANCE

We recommend au pairs to consider an annual insurance policy. In many cases healthcare in Britain is free but the policy should be there to protect them (and you) for costly emergencies, such as repatriation and legal assistance.

In addition to this, some insurance companies can include an au pair on your home insurance policy. Check for individual benefits of your policy.
Please register your au pair with your family doctor.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Although they will be making lots of new friends, it is important for them to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Traditionally this has been costly but with technology evolving all the time, you may find that it is much easier now to help them to keep in touch.

If you have broadband at home and they have a broadband connection at their family home, they can chat online in writing and also speak to their family and friends. If you both have a webcam, they can even see each other. Keeping in touch with minimise the risk of home-sickness.

UNHAPPY

Even with the best planning and support, occasionally things do not work out and someone is unhappy.

We always first try to assist to find a solution between the two parties. We can mediate and often an open and frank discussion results in a positive outcome.

However, there are situations where this is not the case. Each situation is different and we will do what we can to support both parties. If appropriate, we find a replacement.

At all times we ask both parties to remain courteous.

The hosting contract states 14 days notice, giving au pair and host family a chance to make alternative arrangements.

SOLE CARE FOR INFANTS OR CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

An au pair should not be expected to have sole care for infants under the age of two or for children with special needs, because they are not usually qualified to do so.