2. What is an Au Pairs?
The Au Pair programme is essentially a cultural
exchange programme, although in practice it is
characterised as a foreign-national domestic
assistant, working for and living as part of a family.
The Au pair typically shares responsibilities for
childcare and housekeeping duties, and in
return, receives a small amount of money.
3. The Changing Face of Au
Pairs in the UK
The profile of the Au Pair has changed in recent
years. What perhaps, used to be something
families might use in the summer holidays, has now
become an indispensable source of childcare for
busy professional families. In the past many au pairs
were from France or other parts of Western Europe.
Now we see au pairs from all parts of
Europe, including from Eastern Europe. We also see
large numbers of male au pairs, and au pair
couples. Elements of cultural exchange (such as
the ability to teach a language or share cultural
experiences) may still be important, but so too are
fundamental duties of childcare, where practical
considerations of childcare experience, ability to
drive and swim, have become key requirements
4. Types of Au Pair
Au Pair: Can work up to 25 hours a week
Au Pair Plus: Same duties as an Au Pair, but can
work up to 25 hours a week
5. What is a Mother’s Help
In some ways a Mother's Help is a helper category
in between Au Pair and a Nanny. A Mother's Help
can work up to 10 hours a day. Mother's Help often
live in with the family, like an Au Pair, but although
they work more hours and are paid more than Au
Pairs, they should be treated more like a member
of the family than a Nanny. Mother's Help
candidates are not expected to have as much
experience, or formal qualifications as a
Nanny, but should have more experience than Au
Pairs.
Cont…
6. What is a Mother’s Help?
For example, they should have a minimum of one
year's experience looking after children or a
childcare qualification, gained through full time
attendance at a college. They should be an EU
citizen (Romanians and Bulgarian nationals are not
eligible). It's important to remember, that Au Pairs
and Mother's Help should not have sole charge of
a child and is not there to replace the mother as
main childcarer and housekeeper.
7. Au Pairs – Key Facts
Age: Typically 17 – 27
Hours: 25 – 35 hours a week
Pocket Money: Typically from £70 for 25 hours; £85 for 30
hours
Babysitting: Two evenings babysitting per week should be
included. Expect to pay extra pocket money for
additional babysitting sessions.
Leisure time: The Au Pair’s schedule should allow for time
to attend college, two free days per week, and one full
weekend per month.
Holidays: BAPAA recommend 28 days per 12 months.
Room and Board: Full room and board. They should have
their own private room.
College Costs: Some families choose to assist or pay
college attendance.
8. What makes a good Au Pair?
This is impossible to say, largely because everyone is
different, and families have different needs and
expectations.
Here are some things to look out for:
Personality - Happy and smiley people!
Maturity - Mature and confident sounding people.
Humour - Someone who can see the funny side of life.
Adaptable - The ability to fit in and adapt.
Understand Children - it helps if they can get on the
same wave length with kids.
Multi tasking - Deal with the kids and also cope with
some household tasks at the same time.
Patience with Kids - The ability to play and control
children, and deal with tantrums all takes patience.
9. www.findahelper.co.uk
The safest, easiest and most affordable way to find every type of
helper in the home.
Findahelper provides a great Free resource for finding out about helper
jobs and How to guides on a wide range of subjects about
childcare, carers, and help in the home.