Au-Pair Berlin - Au-Pair England
Au-Pair program in the UK
Want to be an Au-Pair in England?
Being an au pair in England gives you the opportunity to experience another culture, learn another language and develop your independence. A year in the United Kingdom will certainly improve your career prospects and help you learn about yourself and prepare yourself for thing to come. Being an au pair in England will be one of the most important experiences of your life.
It is easier to learn a language in the country where it is spoken.
Additional benefits:- the experience of a longer stay abroad will carry you far along in your personal development and bring benefits to your professional future.
We associate only with reputable and experienced partner-agencies, who have substantial experience of the au pair programme. We have very strong partner agency in England , an IAPA member, with a great range of experience and together we place male and female au pairs - and have host families available all year round. Most of the placements are for a minimum of six months.
We can offer you the highest quality of service and reliability. Our style is one of personal and individual advice, honest communication and careful and quick service!
An au pair is someone who...
- is aged between 18 and 27
- is single
- lives as part of the family
- can take responsibility for looking after children
- is prepared to do light housework and ironing
- has a minimum of basic conversational English - basic communication is essential
- may be asked to drive children to and from school. If you say you are prepared to do this, you must be a confident driver with a clean record and, if you are from outside the EU, you must bring with you an international driving licence.
Documents Required:
We require the following enclosures:
- 2 Passport photos
- A photocopy of your Birth Certificate
- A medical certificate
- Copy of your last school certificates
- International driving licence
- 2-3 written references, certificates/qualifications obtained especially about child care (in English)
- 2 character references (from your teacher, or somebody else who knows you)
- A dear family letter of Introduction to a potential host family to include a summary of your life to date and your future ambitions and your reasons for wanting to come to the UK (in English)
- Certificate issued by the police (stating that the holder has no criminal records)
- Application form (in English)
- Dear Family letter (in English) introducing yourself to a potential host family
Please keep all original documents that you may need in the future, send only photocopies to us!
Your relationship with the prospective family:
You will be provided with your own room, board and pocket money. You will have your own room with facility to study and be allowed free time each day at a time which is mutually convenient.
Our UK partner will ensure that family understands that it is essential that you are given consideration and respect and treated as a member of the family. You would normally take your meals with the family (or children) and be invited to share in recreational pursuits whenever possible. You are not expected to be a qualified child-minder or domestic, and you should receive full instructions before being left in sole charge of the household or with children.
Families will understand that during the initial period you will need time to adjust to your new environment and the family will be patient and sympathetic and will aim to build up a good relationship.
This expects your family from you:
Duties: You should make sure that you have be given full information about the family and your duties before you leaves her country to avoid any confusion. This will be in a letter of invitation you will receive from the family. You are expected to help with the housework and the care of the children. Some training may be given if you require it.
Working hours: Au pairs usually work 25 hours per week (but some may agree to do more for extra pocket money – up to 35). Also you can expect 2 evenings baby-sitting a week.
What you can expect from your hostfamily?
Free time: You should expect to be given at least one and preferably two full days per week, plus free time during the day and some evenings, to allow you to attend classes and socialize with friends.
Pocket money: This amount is at the discretion of the host family but is normally not less than £60 (i.e. about € 90) per week.
Language classes: The cost of attending language classes is the responsibility of the au pair the family should help to find a suitable course and assist with the enrolment. Your language classes must fit in with the family routine.
Travel: You will be responsible for your own travel expenses to your country, however it is understood if the host family cannot collect you from the arrival point of your entry into your country that the host will pre book and pay for their travel ticket to the town where you will be au pairing.
Summary of Pay and conditions:
- five hours work a day
- two evenings babysitting, one of which can be at the week-end, but not every Saturday
- two whole days free and some evenings
- enough free time to study or pursue other interests
- own room to be keep clean & tidy
- meals and pocket money of a minimum £60 per week in London
- more pay for additional hours
- the notice period is 2 weeks on either side
- 1 weeks paid leave after 6 months
About this service:
This service is an introductory one – through our partner in the UK we help you make first contact with your host families. We suggest that before committing yourself you talk to the family by phone and e-mail if you feel. It is essential that you are able to carry out a simple telephone conversation initially as it is part of building a personal relationship and understanding with the family. Any communication with your host family must be made through us and the partner agency in the UK so that we can fully support you during the process.
Settling in
When you arrive in England, our partner agency will put you in touch with other au-pairs. They hold reception meetings in London at certain times of the year where you can meet other au pairs get information about life in England and ask us anything you want.
It is important to be polite, friendly and helpful to the family as soon as you arrive. Join in - do not go to your room and sit quietly waiting to be spoken to. Au pairs who use their initiative and make friends with the children are an immediate success! Get clear instructions about what you are supposed to do and, if you are not sure, ask. You must behave reasonably and with respect for the family. When you arrive you will be given a guidance leaflet with more advice about how to make your stay a success.
Our partner also organises outings during the year which provide another opportunity to meet au pair friends, whilst having access to discounted events. We recommend you to join in as this will enrich your experience of the culture and they are great fun!
Travel arrangements
Au pairs must pay their own fare to Britain and inform the agency of their arrival details, so that they can be met at the airport or bus station. Families are asked to meet you at the airport or to pay for your onward transport if they do not live near an airport. When you have an offer, please agree the arrival date and time with the family before booking to ensure it is convenient for them to meet you. The agency will pleased to advise regarding any difficulties about travel arrangements.
Length of stay
Most families want their au pairs to stay for at least 9 - 12 months. Very occasionally we have opportunities for shorter placements. Please consider carefully how long you want to stay before applying. Please do not let the family down by leaving early.
Insurance
Au pairs may wish to arrange their own insurance for personal effects, but most au pairs will be able the use the National Health Service in case of emergency accident or illness. There is a small charge for each item of medicine. Au pairs not from the EEC must arrange separate medical insurance before coming to the UK.
If you have any problems you should talk about them to your family. The agency is also there to help. If the family behaves badly towards you, please tell our partner agency in the UK so that we can try and find out what has happened and sort it out. The family has the right to dismiss an au pair who behaves incorrectly. The agency will try and assist in case of misunderstandings. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, please contact the agency immediately. You can phone them for confidential advice.
If you think you can meet the requirements above and feel like Au-Pair in England, please fill in the online registration form and send it to us by post, fax or e-mail together with above mentioned documents.
We hope your stay will be a happy one!
Downloads:
Do you have any other questions?
Call…
Nadine Dorn
Phone: +49 30 26 36 73 61
Fax: +49 30 26 36 73 62
Email: nadine[at]aupairagentur-cefelin.de