AU PAIR PROGRAMMES
Au-Pair Programme in Australia & New Zealand
Au-Pair Programme in France
Au-Pair Programme in Italy
Au-Pair Programme in USA
Au-Pair Programme in Japan (coming soon)
Au-Pair Programme in Scandinavian countries (soon)
Why to be an Au-Pair?
Because it will be the best decision you ever made!
You will have the opportunity to live and work abroad as an Au-Pair. Whichever Programme or country you choose, you will be so glad you did! You will finish your Programme having made new friends from all over the world, and have many new experiences to share with your friends and family back home. Your experience abroad will help you to learn very quickly the host-country language and to improve your language ability, grow as a person, and learn important skills that will be with you for the rest of your life.
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You will gain a family that will accept you as another member of the family
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Total immersion in the culture and language of a country
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Living in the heart of a family, learning about their customs and gastronomy
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You work with children, which is what you enjoy doing
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You experience a country from the inside, as a local and not as a tourist
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You develop as a person and become more open-minded.
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You will make good friends for life. When you go out of your comfort zone, you will make strong friendships
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You will be part of an international environment
Native English speakers or with a very good level in English (B2-C2 of the CEFR) are very sought-after as Au-Pairs all over the world, so you have a great advantage and, provided your application is complete and suitable, you should be able to placed with a host family quickly. But also native German and French Native speakers are also very demanded from the families.
Many host families have some knowledge of English and are keen for their children to speak your native language or some English with you whilst you are improving your language skills. Don't worry if you are not yet fluent or even a little shy to use your language skills; the host families have a good understanding that you are coming to experience the culture and learn the language!.
What is an Au Pair?
An au pair is a caring, live-in childcare provider who lives as an extended member of a host family in exchange for room, board and pocket money.
In addition to providing childcare, Au-Pair responsibilities may also include:
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Dropping the children off at school or activities
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Picking them up from school or after-school activities
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Helping with homework
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Helping to keep the children’s rooms clean
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Cooking light meals for the children
While your main priority is to take care of the children, you will have plenty of free time to study, to socialise and get to know the area where you will be living. You can attend educational classes at local schools and you will also participate in meetings and activities planned with other Au-Pairs in your community.
Most host families are looking for someone who is able to commit for 12 months, although a six-month stay is generally also possible in most countries. You can also apply to the summer Au-Pair Programme, which is 2-3 months long, depending on where you wish to go. So, In Spain is the most common country where the families ask for Au-Pairs for just 2-3 months during the summer time.
Au Pair Programme in Spain
Guidelines for Au Pairs and Host Families participating in the Au Pair Programme in Spain.
Nature of the Programme: The au pair programme is a cultural exchange Programme. Au-pairs must be welcomed as a member of the family.
Age:Traditionally, an au pair is aged 18 – 30
Hours on duty:Au pairs can be on duty 30 hours per week if they are from an EU country. These hours can be spread out over 5-6 days per week. Longer hours are usually referred to as ‘Au Pair Plus’.
Common duties Au Pair Programmes Au Pair Standard and Au-Pair Plus:
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Childcare
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Share your own culture with your host family
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Help the host family with foreign language learning, especially the children (primarily English, Geman and French).
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Take and collect children to and from school/nursery
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Prepare breakfast, warm up lunch and/or dinner and let kitchen cleaned up
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Take the children to after-school activities
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Help them with their homework
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Play games and interacting doing activities such as painting, baking, etc...
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Take the children on outing such as playground, go to the pool, etc...
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Bath the children tidy up the children ́s room and bathroom after use
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Doing some grocery shopping
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Light housework such as tidying, cleaning, emptying the dishwasher, etc
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Babysitting 1-2 times a week
Common Benefits Au Pair Programmes:
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Private, individual room provided with free INTERNET
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Full board 7 days a week
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Transportation costs paid by family*
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Pocket money
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At least 1,5 days off a week*
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Paid holidays for stays of 6 months or more*
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Insurance during the whole Au Pair programme*
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Personal Programme coordinator
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Certificate upon completion of Program
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The host family will pick you up from the airport*
Pocket Money: Pocket money for Au Pair Standard must be minimum € 80-90 per week for 30 hours, regardless of whether the minimum hours are worked. Au-Pair Plus pocket money increase depending on the working hours.
Pocket money different programmes
(*) depending on the programme and the host-country and the family the pocket money and conditions varies. At least it will be always agreed between both parts. For more detailed information about the programmes please contact the Team of B-lingual Experience.
Babysitting:Two evenings babysitting per week are included as part of the Programme.
Leisure time:The Au-Pair’s schedule must provide sufficient time to attend language school, and the AuPair shall receive 1,5 free days each week.
Holidays: Holidays should be mutually agreed between host family and Au-Pair. The Au-Pair gets paid holidays for stays of 6 moths or more. Normally 1 week every 6 months.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework tasks (2) can be found below these guidelines. Please, take in account every family is different and the task might be different. It will always depend on the host-family needs.
Room and board:The Au-Pair receives full room and board from the family throughout the stay. The AuPair must have her own private room and not be required to share with children, and she should be given facilities to study.
Travelling Costs: The Au-Pair is required to pay their own traveling cost to and from her/his country, unless the family chooses to fund this.
The Au Pair regulation varies depending on the country. Actually in Spain the participant covers the flight costs, travel costs, public transport costs, medical insurance, language course and other possible costs related to the participant.
In case the family is willing to help the Au pair covering part of the costs, this has to be agreed between both parties.
B-lingual Experience tries always the family pays part of the public transport costs.
Insurance: If you intend to work as an au pair in Spain for less than three months, you are covered by your European Health Insurance Card. If you do not already have a card, you need to apply for one at your health insurance company before your departure. If you cannot obtain this form for your health insurance company, you need to take out private insurance in Spain so that you can benefit from instant primary health care. B-lingual Experience offers you a private insurance. If you are interested please, do not hesitate to contact us. The Au-Pair may also wish to take out additional travel insurance to cover loss of belongings, repatriation in case of accident, death etc.
Language School and Costs: Au-Pairs must be given enough time to attend language school. If an AuPair chooses to learn Spanish in a language school, they must bear their own cost. There are many possibilities to learn Spanish in Spain. There are many courses at the “Escuela Oficial de idiomas”, which are national schools in Spain and are not so expensive as the privates ones. But in the meantime and in the big cities you can find very good offers from private schools. B-lingual Experience team will be more than happy to advise you regarding the languages schools to make the best choice for your needs. The family should also give support and help the Au-Pair to find the best course for their needs.
Written Offer:The Au-Pair receives a written offer from the family covering pocket money, holidays and what help would be expected. B-lingual Experience supports both sides and will put together the Au PairFamily contract according to the specifications of the European agreement of the job of Au Pairs 1964.
The host family: The family has to be suitable to host an Au-Pair and understands the nature of the AuPair Programme, and that the Au-Pair is there to help the family and is not in charge of the house.
List of housework tasks accepted as light housework (2)
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Washing dishes, including loading and unloading dishwasher
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Preparing simple meals for children
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Keeping kitchen tidy and clean, including sweeping and mopping floors
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Loading and unloading laundry into washing machine
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Ironing for children
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Putting washed children´s clothes away
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Making and changing children’s beds
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Cleaning children’s bathroom
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Everything to do with keeping their own room/bathroom clean and tidy
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Light shopping (not the entire household shopping)
List of tasks considered unsuitable for an Au Pair – Please remember, it is a cultural exchange Programme, giving a young person the opportunity to learn about British culture and improve language skills through interaction with children.
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Gardening
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Window cleaning
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Spring cleaning
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Cleaning the oven, other than simple wiping out
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Washing carpets
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Washing the car
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Weekly shopping
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Pet training
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Clearing up after untrained pets
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Making parents bed*
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Ironing for parents *
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Cleaning parents’ en-suite bathroom*
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Polishing silver and brassware*
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Cooking the family meal, unless the au pair enjoys cooking and has chosen to do this for the family
*These duties can be included where there is less childcare and the children are out of the house for most of the day, if this is agreed in advance.
Au pairs should not be required to do housework such as ironing, when looking after children of primary school age or toddlers, due to safety reasons.
Au Pair Programme in Ireland
Guidelines for Au Pairs and Host Families participating in the Au Pair Programme in Ireland.
Nature of the Programme: The au pair programme is a cultural exchange Programme. Au-pairs must be welcomed as a member of the family. The au pair is usually given room and board and paid weekly pocket-money.
There is no specific regulatory framework in Ireland covering Au-Pairs. An Au-Pair is not a professional nanny or child minder. Au pairs are not employees and there is no contract of employment between the host family and the au pair. The Au-Pair receives a written offer from the family covering pocket money, holidays and what help would be expected. B-lingual Experience will put together the Au Pair-Family contract according to the specifications of the European agreement of the job of Au Pairs 1964.
The au pair must be an EU-citizen (no Au pair visa available in Ireland for non EU citizen)
Age: Traditionally, an au pair is aged 18 – 27.
Hours on duty: Au pairs can be on duty 25-30 hours per week. These hours can be spread out over 5-6 days per week. Longer hours are usually referred to as ‘Au-Pair Plus’.
Common duties Au Pair Programmes Au-Pair Standard and Au-Pair Plus:
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Play and interact with the children
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Dress or help to dress them
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Shower or help to shower them
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Feed them when very young
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Prepare breakfast, snacks & lunch
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Prepare lunch boxes
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Drop to & collect from school or crèche
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Go for walks & take them to activities
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Organise indoors & outdoors activities
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Board games
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Supervise naps
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3 nights of babysitting per week (when required)
Pocket Money: Pocket money must be minimum €120 -150 per week for 25-30 hours, regardless of whether the minimum hours are worked. Au-Pair Plus pocket money increase depending on the working hours, so for 40 hrs worked the family will pay a minimum of € 200 per week, which will be an Au-Pair plus pocket money.
*this are an average example of what a family should pay minimum. Please, take into account each family offers their own conditions and those figures might be different.
Babysitting: One-two evenings babysitting per week are included as part of the programme. Additional pocket money should be paid for any additional evenings.
Leisure time: The Au-Pair’s schedule must provide sufficient time to attend language school, and the AuPair shall receive 1 day off every week (Sunday whenever possible) + 2 half days or another day off in the week and should be offered one full weekend off per month (at least every 6 weeks if host parents are shift workers)
Holidays: Holidays should be mutually agreed between host family and Au-Pair. The Au-Pair gets paid holidays for stays of 6 moths or more. Normally 1 week paid holidays every 6 months.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework tasks can be found below these guidelines. See below (4).The house work chores will indeed depend on the number and the age of the children. An au pair minding three children under 5 won’t be able to do as much house work as an au pair minding 2 school goers. Keep safety in mind too: it’s not advisable for an au pair to cook or iron when young children are under her supervision.
Childcare: An Au-Pair is not permitted to have continuous sole charge of children under the age of two.
Room and board: The Au-Pair receives full room and board from the family throughout the stay. The AuPair must have her own private room with a window and not be required to share with children, and she should be given facilities to study.
Travelling Costs: The Au-Pair is required to pay their own traveling cost to and from her/his country, unless the family chooses to fund this.
The Au Pair regulation varies depending on the country. Actually in Ireland the participant covers the flight costs, travel costs, medical insurance, language course and other possible costs related to the participant. The transportation to English classes is covered by the family (lift, petrol for the car, bus fare...).
In case the family is willing to help the Au pair covering part of other costs, this has to be agreed between both parties.
Insurance: EU Au-Pairs visiting the Ireland do not need additional health insurance as they are entitled to use the National Health Service. If you are EU-citizen we recommend you to ask the National Health Service in your country to get the European Health-insurance card. The Au-Pair may also wish to take out additional travel insurance to cover loss of belongings, repatriation in case of accident, death etc.
Language School and Costs:Au-Pairs must be given enough time to attend language school. There are many courses in the UK for EU members, which are more affordable due to government funding. These are usually ESOL classes. If an Au-Pair chooses to go to a private school, they must bear their own cost, unless the family offers to fund this.
Written Offer:The Au-Pair receives a written offer from the family covering pocket money, holidays and what help would be expected.
The host family: The family has to be suitable to host an Au-Pair and understands the nature of the AuPair Programme, and that the Au-Pair is there to help the family and is not in charge of the house.
List of housework tasks accepted as light housework (4)
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Keep the children’s bedroom & playroom clean and tidy
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Wash, dry & iron the children’s clothes
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Change, wash & dry children’s bed clothes
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Make children’s bed
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Organise children’s school uniform
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Empty & load the dishwasher
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Tidy and sweep the kitchen & eating area after meals
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Hoover living area once or twice a week
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Cook for the children (lunch boxes, after school snack)
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Help to prepare the dinner (peal vegetables, cook rice, reheat dinners...)
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Keep her/his own area clean and tidy
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Do her/his own laundry
List of tasks considered unsuitable for an Au-Pair – Please remember, it is a cultural exchange Programme, giving a young person the opportunity to learn about British culture and improve language skills through interaction with children.
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Wash, dry & iron the parentś clothes
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Clean and tidy the parent’s bedroom
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Clean the bathroom & toilet (other than a simple wipe after kids)
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Clean the fridge, microwave & oven (other than a simple wipe after spillage)
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Wash the windows & walls
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Wash the car & gardening
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Tidying the garage, attic
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Spring cleaning
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Weekly grocery shopping
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Cooking the family meal, unless the au pair enjoys cooking and has chosen to do this for the family
These duties can be included where there is less childcare and the children are out of the house for most of the day, if this is agreed in advance.
Au pairs should not be required to do housework such as ironing, when looking after children of primary school age or toddlers, due to safety reasons.
Au Pair Programme in Germany
Guidelines for Au Pairs and Host Families participating in the Au Pair Programme in Germany.
Nature of the Programme: The Au Pair programme is a cultural exchange programme. Au Pairs must be welcomed as equal members of the family.
Duration: The stay usually lasts between 6 and 12 months. The maximum legal duration for an Au Pair stay in Germany for non-EU/EEA Citizens is strictly 12 months.
Age Requirements:
- Non-EU/EEA Citizens: Must be aged between 18 and 26 years old at the time of visa application.
- EU/EEA Citizens: Aged between 18 and 30 years old.
Language Requirement: Au Pairs coming from non-EU countries must have at least basic knowledge of the German language (minimum A1 level according to the CEFR) before arriving. German must be the main language spoken in the host family's home.
Pocket Money*: Pocket money for Au Pair Standard must be minimum € 280 per month for 30 hours weekly, regardless of whether the minimum hours are worked.
* depending on the programme and the host-country and the family the pocket money and conditions varies. At least it will be always agreed between both parts. For more detailed information about the programmes please contact the Team of B-lingual Experience.
Room and board: The Au Pair receives full room and board from the family throughout the stay. The AuPair must have her own private room and not be required to share with children, and she should be given facilities to study.
Working Hours: Au Pairs can work up to a maximum of 30 hours per week (maximum 6 hours per day), spread over 5 to 6 days. (Note: Under official German regulations, working additional hours beyond 30 hours per week is not permitted).
Common Duties in the Au Pair Programme:
- Childcare (primary responsibility)
- Share your own culture with your host family and support language learning through daily interaction
- Take and collect children to and from school/nursery
- Prepare simple meals/breakfast for the children and keep the kitchen tidy afterwards
- Take children to after-school activities and playdates
- Help children with their homework
- Play games and engage in creative activities (drawing, crafts, baking, etc.)
- Take children on outings (playground, park, swimming pool, etc.)
- Help children bathe/get dressed and tidy up their bedrooms/bathrooms after use
- Doing some grocery shopping related to children
- Care for the children at home when they are mildly ill or during school holidays when parents are working
- Perform light household chores related to childcare and common areas, such as tidying, cleaning, emptying the dishwasher, etc
- Evening babysitting (1–2 times a week)
Common Benefits Au Pair Programmes:
- Private, individual, and lockable bedroom with free Internet access and heating
- Full board (3 meals a day, 7 days a week)
- Monthly Pocket Money: Fixed minimum of €280 per month, regardless of actual hours worked
- Monthly Subsidy for German Course: Legal allowance of up to €70 per month
- Local Transportation: Coverage of public transportation costs to/from the language course
- Time off: At least 1.5 consecutive days off per week (at least one full weekend off per month)
- Paid Holidays: 4 weeks of paid holiday for a 12-month stay (or 2 days per full month worked)
- Complete Health, Accident, and Liability Insurance fully paid by the family
- Personal Programme coordinator support and certificate upon completion
- The host family will pick you up from the airport
Babysitting: One-two evenings babysitting per week are included as part of the Programme.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework tasks (5) can be found below these guidelines. Please, take in account every family is different and the task might be different. It will always depend on the host-family needs.
Leisure Time & Holidays:
The Au Pair's schedule must provide sufficient time to attend language school. Au Pairs are entitled to at least 1.5 consecutive days off per week, and at least one full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) once every month.
According to the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), an Au Pair is entitled to 4 weeks of paid vacation for a full 1-year stay (or 2 paid days off per month worked).
If the host family takes the Au Pair on their family holiday, any hours spent working/looking after children count towards the weekly 30-hour limit. If the Au Pair is fully off-duty during the family holiday, this counts as part of the Au Pair’s official paid vacation time.
Travel Costs: The Au Pair is responsible for paying their own travel expenses (flight/train ticket) to and from Germany, unless the host family voluntarily agrees to contribute. However, the host family is expected to collect the Au Pair from the arrival airport or train station upon arrival in Germany and cover the local transport to their home
The Au Pair regulation varies depending on the country. Actually in Germany the Au-Pair candidate covers the flight costs, travel costs, and other possible costs related to the participant. In case the family is willing to help the Au pair covering part of the costs, this has to be agreed between both parties.
Not every German city offers a so-called "Stadtpass", but it's certainly worth checking to see if such a city discount pass for persons with a lower income is available in your host city. So check it out with the municipal administration in your city and see if they also provide some sort of "Stadtpass" that you would be eligible for as an au pair and language school student. You could certainly ask your host family for assistance in investigating this possibility.
Insurance: Host families in Germany are legally required to register and pay for complete health, accident, and public liability insurance for the Au Pair for the entire duration of their stay.
Language School and Costs: Au Pairs must be given enough time to attend a German language course during their stay. Host families in Germany are legally required to contribute up to €70 per month toward the Au Pair's language course fees (in addition to their monthly pocket money of €280).
This monthly language course subsidy applies to all Au Pairs, regardless of their nationality (both EU and non-EU citizens). In addition, host families are responsible for covering the transportation costs for the Au Pair to get to and from their language classes. If the language course costs more than €70 per month, the Au Pair covers the remaining balance.
There are many possibilities to learn German in Germany. There are many courses at the “Volkshochschulen”, which are regular schools all over Germany that offer high-quality, affordable German courses and there are not so expensive as the privates ones. The family should also give support and help the Au-Pair to find the best course for their needs.
Written Offer: The Au Pair receives a written offer from the family covering pocket money, holidays and what help would be expected. B-lingual Experience supports both sides and will put together the Au Pair and Family contract according to the specifications of the European agreement of the job of Au Pairs 1964.
The host family: The family has to be suitable to host an Au-Pair and understands the nature of the AuPair Programme, and that the Au-Pair is there to help the family and is not in charge of the house.
Housework Guidelines:
Accepted Light Housework Tasks:
- Washing dishes, loading/unloading the dishwasher
- Preparing simple meals for the children
- Keeping the kitchen clean (sweeping/mopping) after meal preparation
- Washing, folding, and putting away children's and own laundry
- Ironing clothes for the children
- Making and changing children’s beds
- Cleaning the children's bathroom and keeping their own room and bathroom clean and tidy
- Light grocery shopping for daily child needs (not the entire household shopping)
Unsuitable Tasks for an Au Pair (Not Permitted):
- Heavy gardening or window cleaning
- Deep cleaning / Spring cleaning / Cleaning ovens or carpets
- Washing the family car
- Full household weekly shopping
- Pet training or clearing up after untrained pets
- Making parents bed
- Ironing for parents
- Cleaning parents’ en-suite bathroom
- Polishing silver and brassware
- Cooking the family meal, unless the au pair enjoys cooking and has chosen to do this for the family
Safety Note: Au Pairs should not carry out heavy housework or ironing while directly supervising babies or primary school children.
Au Pair Programme in China
Guidelines for Au Pairs and Host Families participating in the Au Pair Programme in China.
Nature of the Programme: The au pair programme is a cultural exchange Programme. Au-pairs must be welcomed as a member of the family.
Age: Traditionally, an au pair is aged 18 – 29
Language skills: The Au-Pair applicant has to be a native English speaker or to be fluent in English with a level of B2-C2 of the CEFR.
Hours on duty: Au pairs can be on duty 30 hours per week if they participate in the Normal Au-Pair Standard Programme (short and long Term). If the candidate is willing to participate into the Summer Programme the working hours will be just 20 hrs per week. These hours can be spread out over 5-6 days per week.
Common duties Au Pair Programmes Au-Pair Standard and Summer Au Pair:
· Help the children with foreign language (primarily English)
· Childcare( will not be sole care for children < 2 years)
· Share your own culture with your host family
· Take and collect children to and from school/nursery
· Prepare or warm up lunch and or dinner
· Take the children to after-school activities
· Help them with their homework
· Play games and interact doing daily activities (painting, baking, etc...)
· Tidy up the children ́s room and bathroom after use
· Light housework ( tidying, cleaning, emptying the dishwasher, etc....)
Common Benefits Au Pair Programmes:
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Private, individual room provided with free INTERNET
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Full board 7 days a week
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Pocket money at least 1,000 RMB per month (≈ 152 €, depends on rate)
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Travel stipend 1,500 RMB (≈ 228€) at the end of the programme
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Insurance during the whole Au Pair programme
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Common excursions with other programme participants
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Personal Programme coordinator
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Welcome dinner
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Welcome package (SIM card, Transportation card, City Map, Family address card...)
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Orientation + Au Pair Handbook, to help them adapt to the new environment and enjoy their life in China
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Certificate upon completion of Program
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The host family will pick you up from the airport
Summer Programme: 2 months(≈ 60 days)
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20 hrs working weekly maximum. 2 full days off a week
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Monographic courses about the History, Art and Chinese culture and customes
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50 days Au Pair work + 10 days for travelling
Short-Term(3 months) and Long-Term(6 months) Au-Pair Programme
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30 hrs working weekly maximum. 2 full days off a week
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Chinese language lessons at least 8-10 class-hours per week
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Supplementary bonus of 2,000 RMB (≈ 290€) for Short Term (3 months), or 4,500 RMB (≈ 650€) for long Term (6 months) at the end of programme.
* depending on the programme and the host-country and the family the pocket money and conditions varies. At least it will be always agreed between both parts. For more detailed information about the programmes please contact the Team of B-lingual Experience.
Leisure time: The Au-Pair’s schedule must provide sufficient time to attend language school, and the Au-Pair shall receive 2 free days each week.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework tasks (6) can be found below these guidelines. Please, take in account every family is different and the task might be different. It will always depend on the host-family needs.
Room and board: The Au-Pair receives full room and board from the family throughout the stay. The Au-Pair must have her own private room and not be required to share with children, and she should be given facilities to study.
Travelling Costs: The Au-Pair is required to pay their own traveling cost to and from her/his country, unless the family chooses to fund this.
The participant will cover also the visa fees, travel costs, own costs in the country, and other possible costs related to the participant. Those costs shall be paid totally by the Au Pair. If the family is willing to help the Au pair to cover part of the costs, this has to be agreed between both parties.
Insurance: To get the Visa you will need an insurance who covers the following cases: illness, pregnancy, childbirth, accident, repatriation cost, own risk insurance etc...
Language School: Depends on the Programme, the Au-Pair candidate will get a language course of Chinese lessons at least 24 class-hours + 1 excursion monthly.
Written Offer: The Au-Pair receives a written offer from the family covering pocket money, holidays and what help would be expected. B-lingual Experience supports both sides and will put together the Au Pair-Family contract according to the specifications of the country.
The host family: The family has to be suitable to host an Au-Pair and understands the nature of the Au-Pair Programme, and that the Au-Pair is there to help the family and is not in charge of the house.
List of housework tasks accepted as light housework (6):
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Washing dishes, including loading and unloading dishwasher
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Keeping kitchen tidy and clean, including sweeping and mopping floors always when the candidate use for himself or for the children
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Loading and unloading laundry into washing machine for her own use
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Making and changing children’s beds
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Everything to do with keeping their own room/bathroom clean and tidy
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Light shopping (not the household shopping)
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Walking and feeding pets
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Prepare/Cook light meals for children
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Breakfast for children
List of tasks considered unsuitable for an Au-Pair – Please remember, it is a cultural exchange Programme, giving a young person the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and improve language skills through interaction with children:
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Gardening
-
Window cleaning
-
Spring cleaning
-
Cleaning the oven, other than simple wiping out
-
Washing carpets
-
Washing the car
-
Weekly shopping
-
Pet training
-
Clearing up after untrained pets
-
Making parents bed*
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Ironing for parents *
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Cleaning parents’ en-suite bathroom*
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Polishing silver and brassware*
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Cooking the family meal, unless the au pair enjoys cooking and has chosen to do this for the family
*These duties can be included where there is less childcare and the children are out of the house for most of the day, if this is agreed in advance.
Au pairs should not be required to do housework such as ironing, when looking after children of primary school age or toddlers, due to safety reasons.
Au Pair Programme in Canada
Although your specific work experience details may vary depending upon your location and job type, there are certain aspects of your Au Pair experience that will remain consistent.
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Socially Responsible Host Family – B-Lingual Experience carefully screens each and every Host Family to ensure that they maintain a safe environment for all Au Pairs. Our employers are committed to a high level of training, education and a positive work environment that is safe and free from discrimination.
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Working Hours – Depending on your Au Pair program, you can expect to work up to 30-40 hours per week in exchange for room, board & an allowance, have time off to explore your destination, and be in regular contact with your Au Pair program coordinator. It is through regular monitoring that B-Lingual Experience ensures that you are comfortable with your host family and that the needs of everyone involved are being met.
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What to Expect – This program will offer:
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Private Room & Accommodations
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Meals provided by Host Family
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Weekends Off (usually Saturday & Sunday)
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Roundtrip airfare for those committing to one year
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Regular Contact with Au Pair Program Co-ordinator
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$600 CDN monthly allowance
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Nearby Access to Public Transit
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Drop in prescheduled ESL classes during weekday mornings/afternoons if placed in the Greater Toronto Area
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Visa support
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Internet access provided by the Host Family
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Orientation Package
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Welcome Package
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Some Weekend Excursions with the Host Family
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Job Responsibilities - Each student will be required to perform some or all of the following duties:
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Put the absolute safety of the children first before all other responsibilities
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Provide care, warmth, and security in the absence of parents, maintaining a patient, cheerful, and helpful attitude while on duty
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Plan activities that promote physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development
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Participate and supervise daily activities with children, which would include: games, walks, play dates, playground outings and reading
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Introduce/plan activities using your language(s) to children as requested by the Host Family
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Actively participate in the children's special areas and interests and serve as a resource for problem solving
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Assist children's basic needs such as bathing, dressing, and brushing teeth
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If necessary, administer medication as directed by parents
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Plan and prepare nutritious snacks and meals for children during scheduled hours
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Limit television/video and computer games to 30 minutes per day unless educational or as directed by Host Family
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Comply with Family's discipline and child-rearing preferences
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Provide reasonable flexibility in times of emergency or unexpected schedule changes
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Light household cleaning as directed
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Program Requirements - In order to be eligible for the Au Pair program, students are required to meet the following program requirements:
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Age 18 to 35 years old recommended
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Working Holiday Visa under IEC (International Experience Canada)
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Successful completion of Canadian secondary school equivalent
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Recommended/preferred at least six months of full-time classroom training or at least one year of work experience as a child or elderly caregiver or in a related field or occupation within the last three years, including at least six months of continuous employment with one employer
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The ability to speak, read and understand English so that he/she can function in an unsupervised setting
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Pass medical, security and criminal clearances
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Must provide a vulnerable sector search
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Preference for those with international driving license
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Medical insurance coverage and/or related travel insurance applicable valid for entire length of stay
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Successful completion of "Orientation Program (i.e., emergency protocol)"
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Changing Families - If an Au Pair has a valid reason to change Host Families after arriving to Canada, we will do our best to find a new placement for them. All au pairs must stay with their family for the first 30 days. Once they are approved to change families, they must stay with their current family for 2 weeks. If a new placement cannot be found, the au pair will have to return home at their own cost.
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Smoking - If the candidate is serious about being an au pair, they should stop smoking. B-Lingual Experience does not accept Au Pair applications from candidates who smoke.
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Driving - All au pairs must have an International Driving License before they arrive to Canada. All au pairs must also have a valid driver’s license from their home country before applying to the program. Non-drivers may only be accepted by a pre-matched family.
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Financial - You may collect a registration fee established by your organization for any Au Pair sent to the ICS Au Pair Canada program.
Au Pair Programme in Australia & New Zealand
Do you want more information on the Au Pair experience? Contact us: info@b-lingualexperience.com or register free and without commitment here (if you are an Au Pair) or here (if you are a Host family). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your request.
Au Pair Programme in France
Do you want more information on the Au Pair experience? Contact us: info@b-lingualexperience.com or register free and without commitment here (if you are an Au Pair) or here (if you are a Host family). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your request.
Au Pair Programme in Italy
Do you want more information on the Au Pair experience? Contact us: info@b-lingualexperience.com or register free and without commitment here (if you are an Au Pair) or here (if you are a Host family). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your request.
Au Pair Programme in USA
Do you want more information on the Au Pair experience? Contact us: info@b-lingualexperience.com or register free and without commitment here (if you are an Au Pair) or here (if you are a Host family). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your request.
Au Pair Programme in Japan
Do you want more information on the Au Pair experience? Contact us: info@b-lingualexperience.com or register free and without commitment here (if you are an Au Pair) or here (if you are a Host family). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your request.
Au Pair Programme in Scandinavian countries
Do you want more information on the Au Pair experience? Contact us: info@b-lingualexperience.com or register free and without commitment here (if you are an Au Pair) or here (if you are a Host family). We will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your request.