au pairs

synchro

wat ye think of them?
wat wage do they ask for on average theses days, say for an au pair minding 2 10 year old kids?

Nevyn

http://www.youthquest.ie/travel/aupair.htm

Travel and Working Abroad
Au Pairing
Working Abroad as an Au Pair

Living and working in another country gives you a chance to experience the culture and language of that country in a way you never will as a tourist. One good way of doing this is by working abroad as an Au Pair - not only will you experience family life in a foreign environment but you also will learn the language and the culture of another country.
What exactly is an Au Pair

Translated literally the expression actually means on equal terms - in other words an Au-Pair should be accepted as part of the family rather than as an employee. In return for doing light work such as cleaning, dusting, shopping and for taking care of the children, the Au Pair receives board, lodgings and pocket money of around €100 per week. Au Pairs should also get sufficient free time to attend language courses and to enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, not every Au Pair is treated in this way - all kinds of stories are told about Au Pairs being treated as servants and being overloaded with work with little or no time off. Finding an Au Pair position through a personal contact or a reputable agency may be the way to avoid these pitfalls.
Are you suitable?

* While agencies and families prefer Au Pairs to have experience of looking after children, most will consider anyone with a genuine liking of children and a willingness to help around the house

Other Characteristics sought include:

* An interest in people
* The ability to accept responsibility
* The ability to adjust to new surroundings
* A readiness to participate in local activities

The minimum age for most agencies is 18 years. Also, many countries will not accept Au Pairs who are younger than 18. Most host countries and agencies stipulate a maximum age limit e.g. for France, it is 30 years.

* Most agencies insist that their Au Pairs are single
* Some agencies and families will only take non-smokers
* On many programmes it is a distinct advantage to hold a driver's licence

Guidelines on Good Practice

In 1979 the Council of Europe drafted a treaty on Au Pair placements. Many European countries signed this agreement but haven't introduced legislation to enforce it. The guidelines are as follows:

* An Au Pair placement is a temporary stay with a family in another country during which Au Pairs perfect their knowledge of the language and culture of that country
* Au Pair placements can be for up to two years
* Au Pairs should be between 17 and 30 years
* The Au Pair should have a doctor issue a certificate of good health within three months of being placed with a family.
* The rights and duties of the Au Pair and host family should be set out in writing before the Au Pair arrives. This agreement should indicate how much participation the au pair will have in the life of the host family as well as guaranteeing some independence and privacy of the Au Pair.
* The Au Pair should receive all meals and where possible, a private room
* The Au Pair should get sufficient time off to do a language course, learn something of the culture of the host family and fulfill religious obligations, if desired. Time off should consist of at least one day off a week.
* The Au Pair should work no more than 5 hour a day excluding meals
* In countries in which there is no mechanism for providing social security the host family should obtain private health and accident cover for the Au Pair.
* At least 2 weeks' notices of termination should be given either by the host family or the Au Pair.

Unfortunately in most countries these are only guidelines but they may provide a basis for discussion between the host family and helpers.
Red Tape
EU Countries

As EU Nationals, Irish Au Pairs going to work in other EU countries should encounter very little red tape. However, if your placement is for longer than three months, you will be required to obtain a residence permit, which should be easy enough to obtain.
Countries outside the EU

Outside the EU, legislation varies from country to country but frequently AU Pairs benefit from sympathetic legislation exempting them from work permits requirements - you must check with the embassy of the country you are going to.

Au Pair Agencies

Irish College of English
2 Ross Tce., Malahide
Ph; 8453744

Au Pair Study Centre
10 Wellington St., Dun Laoghaire
Ph: 01-2844675

Breslin International
8 Carysfort Ave., Blackrock
Ph: 2884477
Email: breslin@indigo.ie
Web:www.breslininternational.ie

Dublin School of English
10/12 Westmoreland St.
Ph: 6773322
Email: admin@dse.ie
Web: www.dse.ie

Helpers
Oranmore
Co.Galway
Phone: 096-22109

Job Options Bureau
17 Herbert St., Dublin Washington St., Co. Cork
Ph: 01-6611910 Ph: 021- 275101

The Linguaviva Centre Experiment in International Living
45 Lwr Leeson St., D. 2 Cork
Ph:01-6789384 Ph: 021-275101

Nevyn

Au pairs are not childminders, and there are strict guildlines.
Never had one myslef but what I have heard have run from the oh gods like have another child but worse to wonderfull and they are coming back next year.

MrPudding

We have had a good few over the past few years. Like Thaed said, the experience has been varied but for the most part really good.

We have had 2 really bad experiences, there was no abuse of the children, but they were very unhappy times for all of us.

When you get the right person it really is a very good experience.

The cost is about €90 per week plus room and board. I think that is for up to 35hours and an optional 2 night babysitting.

MrP