Info AU PAIR

Info AU PAIR programme

UPDATED: 2012

Info AU PAIR

What is an au pair?

Working as an au pair is the best way to learn a foreign language and culture. The au

pair takes care of children and by doing so she learns the language and familiarizes

herself with their culture.

Normally, young people who already have some basic language skills in a foreign

language stay with a family for a certain period of time. During their stay they should

be treated as family members.

Trust is important

Being an au pair or a host family is exciting, but tricky for both sides as well. An au pair

seeks new tasks, a new language and a new family in a foreign country. The host family

seeks a trustworthy old daughter or son for a limited period of time. A lot of mutual

trust is needed. Having said that, a contract shall be signed by both parties to make

sure regulations and general conditions are clearly specified.

How many hours does an au pair have to work?

Spain 35 hours per week

Additional babysitting is required in most host families (1-2 evenings per week)

Is an au pair required to help with housework?

The family can expect light housework from the au pair. This does not include ironing

of difficult pieces of laundry like blouses.

Spring cleaning (no matter in which season it takes place) does also not belong to this.

If the au pair shall be responsible for the laundry, this should be restricted to hanging

out to dry, folding and ironing. The sorting of dirty underwear is not the task of the au

pair as well as the cleaning of the toilets unless the au pair is the only person who uses

this toilet.

Many au pairs do not know how to cook. If this will be necessary in your household,

you should point this out before.

Info AU PAIR

Language skills

An au pair needs basic knowledge of the language spoken in the host country and

should be able to answer simple questions and to make himself/herself understood in

a simple way.

Please note: Even if your family speaks the au pair's language or if you can

communicate in a different language, this will not be sufficient. The au pair looks after

children. If during your absence an accident happens, the au pair should be able to

bring help. You cannot assume that people who work at a public safety answering

point speak or understand the native language of the au pair.

Language courses for au pairs

There is a 2 week intensive course (20 hours/week) included in this programme, but If

the au pair wants to attend an extra language course, she/he must be given the time

for this purpose. However, the host family and the au pair must agree whether the au

pair will have this time in the mornings, in the afternoons or in the evenings according

to the required presence with the family. The au pair must bear the costs

herself/himself.

Who pays the au pair's travel costs?

In most countries travel costs must be paid by the au pair. Please read the information

about which regulations apply in your host country.

Travel expenses as well as language courses need to be paid by yourself.

References from au pairs & health certificate

References from au pairs can be obtained from various sources:

• teachers

• former or current employers

• former host family

You can also be asked to send a health certificate issued by your local doctor (general

practitioner). This document will most likely be in English. Most families are especially

concerned in regards of HIV, hepatitis B, drug consumption and bulimia nervosa.

Au pair visa for different countries

You should contact your local Spanish Embassy for further information.

Info AU PAIR

Meet other au pairs in Murcia

We are sorry, but we cannot provide addresses of other au pairs who are working in

Murcia. As a general rule, we don't provide addresses of other au pairs nor do we

arrange meetings for au pairs.

We suggest that you join our language courses as we offer various leisure activities and

the atmosphere is also very international. This way you can meet other young people.

Driving license

It is always an advantage if the au pair possesses a driving license. Some tasks within

the family might require driving a car. Of course, the driving license is of little or of no

use if the au pair does not have the required driving experience.

As an au pair you should enquire early enough if your driving license is also valid in

your host country or if you can get an International Driving Permit. Please ask

the competent authorities.

How can I change the family

Before you decide to go to a family, try to get to know a lot about the expectations of

the family. Tell them which ideas and suggestions you have. Nevertheless, the first

weeks might not be very easy for you. Everything will be new to you. You will possibly

be homesick. Try to talk about it with the family and give the family and yourself time

to get used to each other.

Nevertheless, it might be possible that the family and you are a bad match. In this case

you should try to talk to us and explain your reasons in order to get to a clear point. In

most cases this is possible and will not cause a problem, but we always apply common

sense.

If you have a visa for the country, you must check with the aliens registration authority

what you and the host family need to do so that you can stay in the country.

If you like to dissolve the au pair contract you have signed, normally you can do this

with 14 days announcement.

Au pair registration

You want to be an au pair? You are looking for a kind host family? Then you should

register now.

Info AU PAIR

Please print out the following form or send us the information requested in an email if

you are an au pair seeking a host family. The information will be used to match

families with your requirements. You will shortly be sent details of suitable families.

Please enter all information accurately.

About you

Your gender female male

Surname / last name

First name

Your email address

Your address

Address / street / building

Postcode (ZIP code)

City

State / province / region

Phone number

Fax number

URL of your private home page

More about you

In which country are you currently living?

Your nationality

Have you worked as an au pair before? Yes No

Do you have a driver's license? Yes No

Do you smoke? Yes No

How old are you?

Can we check your FACEBOOK profile?

Yes No

Info AU PAIR

Your language skills

It is very important for the host families to know more about your language

skills. Please answer the next 2 questions honestly. In the first box you should

select all the languages that you can speak fluently (including your native

language). In the second box you should select all the languages that you

have basic knowledge of.

You speak these languages very well or fluently

(Should be at least your native language)

You have basic knowledge of

Further useful information

Refund policy

Once the booking is completed, there will be no reimbursement.

Thanks for your interest and welcome to IH Murcia!