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Worldwide Employment Opportunities For Au Pairs

If you're young, between 18 and 27, enthusiastic, and have a genuine interest in learning the culture of a foreign country, you may want to consider employment as an au pair. Au pairs have a wonderful opportunity to widen their perspective on the world, as they learn to appreciate the values and traditions of the people with whom they will share a unique and mutually rewarding experience.

Some of us may not realize the difference between a nanny and an au pair, since childcare is a major responsibility of both. A nanny is often more professionally trained to perform their duties and may or may not live with the family. As such, nannies may work in an efficient, yet impersonal way and may not establish as close a relationship with their employer. On the other hand, au pairs live and work with the family, and as the name implies, are treated and respected as an equal, rather than just a paid employee, babysitter, or servant.

The main qualifications to be an au pair are a love of children, good social and communication skills, and the ability to interact daily with the family you live with. Your employer will run a thorough background check, request a medical report, ask for character references, and in some instances, require you to have a driver's license. If you will be caring for infants or children under 2 years old, in particular, your experience should include at least 200 hours in this type of childcare. Of course, knowledge of the language of the country and that spoken at home is a necessity. This too offers a great opportunity to improve your skills in a foreign language in a warm and friendly environment.

Au pairs are paid a salary, which will vary from 260 Euros a month or more depending on your experience, the hours you work, the number of children you'll care for, and the country where you will be employed. Obviously, the more education and training you have, the better your salary. Au pairs are assured of at least one or two years of permanent long-term employment. Usually, they are required to work at least 25 hours a week, with occasional evenings and additional babysitting time. Most au pairs in Europe will have two days off and from three to five evenings free, as well as certain holidays and vacation time. If you're considered an au pair plus, you will work a few more daytime and evening hours, but your salary will be increased. Keep in mind that the majority, if not all your expenses will be paid by your host family including accommodations, meals, laundry, and various other items as agreed upon. Some families may pay for your bus or train passes, cell phone, Internet access, and even allow the use of the family car.

The majority of jobs for au pairs are found in the UK; however, au pairs are needed in numerous other countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Employment may also be available in Asia, India, Australia, the U.S., Canada, and South America. The Internet, depending on the country you live in, will be able to provide you with resources for finding suitable and reliable employment through au pair agencies and organizations. Both the family and the au pair will be carefully screened and interviewed before recommendations or referrals are made.

As with any type of employment, a legal contract prepared before employment begins is advisable and recommended in most countries. The terms of the contract should include names, addresses, and contact information for both the host family and the au pair. Salary amount, how paid and when, as well as vacation and holiday pay, should be included. If you work additional hours, be sure to ask about overtime pay and have that included in your contract. Usually, the foreign visa, if required, is paid for in full or for a specified amount by the host family. Information on taxes and details of health insurance and how they will be paid must also be addressed. A description of the accommodation you will be provided should specify what furniture, appliances, and other amenities are included.

You will have certain rules to follow as an au pair, such as smoking, drinking, and allowing visitors to the home, and these should be spelled out in the contract. As the children's au pair, you will have a schedule to follow, a list of their medications and special needs, if any, as well as discipline, safety, and emergency procedures and authorizations as agreed upon with the family. The contract should have a timetable for performance reviews and pay increases, if any, and the length of notice required in the event of termination.

Your interests and involvement are centered around the child or children, and will include feeding or preparing some of their meals, getting them dressed and ready for their day, helping them with their studies or household chores, arts and crafts, and whatever else their daily activities may be, whether it is school, play, or outdoor excursions. Frequently, your host family will encourage your taking language lessons and may pay for these, as well. As a member of your new, extended family, you will often accompany them on vacations, visits with relatives, and shopping trips, as well as attending cultural events and taking part in many other things that families enjoy.

There is an interesting alternative to being a full-time au pair, known as a "demi au pair." In this type of employment, you will work only in the afternoons for a maximum of 15 to 20 hours a week, with a few of the same duties, but you will have more time to study and focus on learning the language of the country where you are employed. You will be required to attend language classes in the mornings and still live with and maintain close interaction with the family to enhance your language skills and childcare training. The small salary or allowance, at least 50 Euros a week, you will earn as a demi au pair will provide you with spending money or go toward a longer stay and more travel abroad.

Besides the excitement and adventure of living and working in a foreign country and learning to be a responsible individual, the rewards of being an au pair cannot be measured in dollars and cents. In many instances, the close bond you establish with the family will last far beyond the term of your employment.

Guest article by Sharon Slayton

Posted by James Trotta at March 15, 2010 8:01 PM