How to Become an Au Pair

The Au Pair program was originated in Europe right after the Second World War when there were countless domestic servants available to take care of children of the elite. The concept of Au Pair is for a domestic assistant to share the child care responsibilities of the family, as well as to assist the host family in light housework. Au Pair is a French term for “equal to”. Even if the Au Pair is working as a temporary domestic assistant, he or she should be equal with the host family, as if he or she is a member of the family.

How to become an Au Pair, though? It is just like becoming an employee for another type of job. The first thing you need to do is build your resume for jobs that you have had. If you have an experience with children, this will be a great advantage. Take note that Au Pair Foundation, one of the larger matchmaking organizations, only receives applicants whose age is between 17 and 27, depending on the international partner, and with at least a high school diploma. Having a degree in a university, however, is more preferred. When applying to any job, though, make sure that your childcare references are prepared, together with the official documented result of a criminal background investigation. The international partner of country where you are born will hold a personal interview for the purpose of finding our if you are suitable to the Au Pair program as well as checking if you are proficient in the English language. Together with your resume, an application form is filled out and submitted to Au Pair Foundation for evaluation. Your information will be submitted to the host families that has been previously screened and approved. If a host family selects your application, you will be subjected to further telephone interview. If you are qualified, you will be placed within 3-4 months.

But there is another way to become an Au Pair without visiting the offices of the Au Pair Foundation. The Internet has several sites of Au Pair agencies within most countries. There are also search sites for Au Pair that are available without cost. You simply read about the families you are interested in, and if there’s a family that appeals you, you can submit your resume and all other information for consideration. Remember that Au Pair is not a one way system; you can also interview the family, ask them for references, their phone number and other details you deem pertinent to your employment. You can even perform a background check. If you have found your match, process all your papers and bon voyage!

What Does an Au Pair Do

Being an Au Pair requires a lot of child care activities and perhaps some light housekeeping. Au Pairs are expected to live with the host family, and take care of the children while their parents are away at work. Watching the children, keeping the rooms of the children clean, including their study and play area, preparing the meals of the children, doing their laundry and driving them to school or other extra-curricular activities are all typical tasks. In other host families, some Au Pair are expected to do light housekeeping, such as putting the laundry in the machine, preparing dinner for the family and washing the dishes. Other families insist the Au Pair focus on child care alone, but most Au Pairs are willing to extend a helping hand. To work as an Au Pair is not really difficult know what an Au Pair is and discuss the specifics of your working relationship with the family prior to accepting your assignment.

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How Much Money Does an Au Pair Make

The money you will receive as an Au Pair will depend on the program and other factors, such as the country where you are working. In Australia for instance, Au Pair nannies can expect to earn AU$80-200 every week. In Canada, it ranges from CA$235-290 per week, depending on which part of Canada you are assigned. In Denmark, it’s about DKK 2900 per month. Au Pairs in Ireland receive €3.30 per hour; so depending on the number of hours you are working, you will receive between €60-140 weekly. In Netherlands, the pocket money of Au Pairs will be a maximum of €340 per month, and they are expected to live with the host family. In UK, Au Pairs who are more experienced and work longer number of hours receive higher compensation, which ranges from £55-85 per week. In the US, Au Pairs in families with children above 2 years old will receive lower weekly stipend, compared to those caring for families with children below 2 years old, who receives $164.05 as weekly stipend. In the US, families are required to pay part of the academic credit or course work of the Au Pair.

Other countries have different systems of providing compensation to their Au Pairs, so it’s best to research these figures beforehand as this may affect your decision on which assignment to choose.

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Why Become an Au Pair

Work. Travel. Independence. For many women, this is their way to assert their independence. It is also an opportunity for them to learn new language and immerse in different cultures. For those who are fortunate enough to find a host family who travels to exotic places, it will also be an opportunity for the Au Pair to experience what her host family has experienced. But to top it all, it is a work opportunity that can help boost your resume. Those who are interested in child care will have their Au Pair experience

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Pros and Cons of Being an Au Pair

An Au Pair provides low cost assistance in child care, gives both you as the Au Pairs a learning opportunity to experience another culture and language. All in all, it is an opportunity not just to travel, but to work and build up your resume.

The disadvantage is than Au Pair relationship is typically for maximum of one year for the family. On the second year, you may be replaced by another Au Pair, and you have to move and find another host family once more. This can be disruptive, so if you prefer consistency, this might not be a good job for you.

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Au Pair Quotes

Somewhere along the line of our development we discover what we really are, and then we make our decision for which we are responsible. Make that decision primarily for yourself because you can never live anyone else´s life. -Eleanor Roosevelt

You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you. -Barbara Sher