Register on AuPair.com and craft your profile for free. Showcase your personality by adding photos, videos, certificates, and recommendations. Consider writing a personal letter to your potential Host Family, sharing your expectations and motivation. Your profile is key to finding the right match.
Once registered, explore Host Families in different countries. Browse through profiles that align with your preferences and add favorites for easy tracking. Send free requests to your chosen families and keep an eye on your activity level. Achieving 100% unlocks Premium Host Family details.
Engage in video interviews with shortlisted families. This step is crucial for mutual understanding and protection against scams. Prepare questions about the family’s experience, expectations, routine, and more. Use this opportunity to ensure a good match and discuss specific details.
Sign the Au Pair contract, a crucial document detailing terms and preventing misunderstandings. Download the template and customize it with your Host Family according to the host country’s laws. Discuss additional documents needed for registration, bank account setup, and other procedures.
Prioritize tasks before your trip: coordinate with the embassy for visa requirements, gather necessary documents for registration, ensure sufficient insurance coverage, pack your suitcase, and book your tickets. If the Host Family assists with travel costs, document it in the contract.
Upon arrival, familiarize yourself with the Host Family and your new surroundings. Understand the weekly schedule, household rules, internet usa
Remember, the Au Pair program offers a unique chance for personal growth. Explore the local culture, meet new people, and savor the experience to the fullest. For more information, explore our Au Pair A to Z WIKI and visit the FAQ section for additional insights.
What are an Au Pair’s responsibilities?
An Au Pair’s primary duty is caring for the Host Family’s children and performing childcare-related tasks. Cooking for the host parents, cleaning their exclusive rooms, or tending to someone else’s children is not required of Au Pairs.
What are the working hours for an Au Pair? Au Pair working hours vary by host country. In most nations, Au Pairs should not exceed 30 hours per week, but in the USA, they can work up to 45 hours weekly. Both Au Pair and Host Family should agree on a schedule, considering the maximum hours per day an Au Pair can work in their country.
What are the working hours for an Au Pair?
Au Pair working hours vary by host country. In most nations, Au Pairs should not exceed 30 hours per week, but in the USA, they can work up to 45 hours weekly. Both Au Pair and Host Family should agree on a schedule, considering the maximum hours per day an Au Pair can work in their country.
Are Au Pairs entitled to free time and holidays?
Au Pairs typically have 1-2 free days per week, with at least one on Sunday in some countries. They may also enjoy a free weekend per month. In many places, Au Pairs get up to 4 weeks of paid holidays for a 12-month stay. During holidays, Au Pairs can stay with the Host Family, receiving pocket money, accommodation, and full board.
How much pocket money does an Au Pair receive?
Each country’s official Au Pair program sets the minimum pocket money. It’s recommended for Host Families and Au Pairs to agree on this amount, which covers the Au Pair’s personal expenses. An Au Pair should never be responsible for buying their own food or paying rent.
Who covers travel expenses?
While Host Families are encouraged to support Au Pairs with travel costs, it’s mandatory in only a few countries, like the USA and China. Discussions about financial assistance for travel expenses should be noted in the Au Pair contract.
Who pays for visa expenses?
Au Pairs are responsible for visa expenses, and Host Families are not obliged to reimburse them. Au Pairs must apply for a visa at the host country’s embassy in their home country, ensuring compliance with visa requirements.
Is attending a language course mandatory for Au Pairs?
Au Pairs typically attend language courses to enhance their language skills and socialize. While some countries require Host Families to cover language course costs, most Au Pairs bear this expense.
Who covers public transport costs?
While not mandatory in most countries, it’s recommended for Host Families to provide a car or cover public transport costs for Au Pairs. This facilitates transportation for children and attendance at language courses. In some places, these costs may be deducted from the family’s yearly income tax.
Age Criteria: To be eligible for the program, applicants must be at least 17 years old but not older than 30. Specific age requirements may vary by country, so it’s essential to check the guidelines for the respective destination.
Language Proficiency: Effective communication with the Host Family is crucial. Generally, a good command of English or the official language of the host country is sufficient unless otherwise specified. The program is designed to enhance foreign language skills, so fluency is not a prerequisite.
Interested in Learning a Foreign Language? If you enjoy spending time with kids, the Au Pair program provides an excellent opportunity.
Visa and Language Certificate: For participants requiring a visa, a language certificate may be necessary to prove proficiency. Some countries mandate language courses, providing an avenue for improvement during the program.
Family Status: Participants cannot have children of their own and may need to be unmarried, a critical criterion for Au Pair visa eligibility in many countries.
Education: A minimum school diploma (varies by country) is required. Additional certificates or documents demonstrating childcare experience may be requested by some Host Families.
Visa Requirements: Fulfilling the host country’s embassy requirements is essential, especially for programs like Au Pair USA, where the J-1 visa is common. Explore details about working holiday visas issued in several countries.
Financial Responsibility: Au Pairs must be capable of covering travel expenses to and from the host country, unless alternative arrangements are made with the Host Family. While Host Families are encouraged to assist, this is not mandatory and depends on the family’s decision.
Health and Smoking: Applicants must be in good health and non-smokers. While smoking is not an official criterion, non-smoking Au Pairs generally have higher chances of finding a suitable Host Family.
Love for Children: Enjoying time with kids is paramount, considering that Au Pair responsibilities are centered around childcare. Having prior childcare experience, such as babysitting or working in a kindergarten, is beneficial. References showcasing experience enhance the chances of convincing a Host Family.
Finding a Host Family: AuPair.com, as an online matching agency, offers a platform to connect with Host Families worldwide. Explore tips on finding the perfect match and refer to the Au Pair Wiki for comprehensive program information. Check country-specific requirements and the Au Pair FAQ for additional guidance.
