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| FAQ’s | | | How we select our AuPairs
We take special care in selecting our au pairs as we realize that the most important thing to consider is your family and especially your children. We have international partners in Europe to select our au pairs by interviewing them in person. However please note the onus to check and vet the AuPair is on the family. | | | What the family should pay for
AuPairs are responsible for paying their own tuition fees, bus/train tickets, mobile phone cards, medical insurance/expenses and airfare. A contribution is sometimes made by the family however please note this is at the family’s discretion only. | | | Establishing a good relationship with your AuPair
Please keep in mind that your au pair may feel a little homesick at first and will need time to get used to your family and to being in a strange country. During this period, you will need to be as understanding and patient as possible and make her/him feel at home.
Accommodating someone from outside the family in your home is always a bit difficult at first, particularly if that someone is technically your employee, and some tension may occur. If things don’t go smoothly at the beginning, we advise our families to give au pairs some time to adjust. After all, they are trying to adapt to a totally new culture and to using a foreign language. The agency is here to support both the families and AuPairs so please feel free to contact us with any questions or with anything we may be able to help with. | | | | Your au pair's understanding of English might be poor at first, but it will soon improve. She/he is in Ireland to learn the language and your attempts at making conversation with your au pair will be appreciated. |
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House Rules:
You will need to explain your house rules and her/his duties to the au pair in a clear manner. Remember to pay her/his pocket money on time and try to make your arrangements in plenty of time if you need your au pair to baby-sit for you. If there are house rules in place (smoking, overnight/daytime visitors etc) please make sure to discuss and agree them with your AuPair. |
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| What the family should provide for the Au Pair! |
 | A Private Room (a friendly comfortable room is important) to include TV, stereo, desk with lamp for study purposes, Closet/Wardrobe storage space for clothing and personal items. | | Full board and accommodation for 7 days per week | | Weekly pocket money | | Two full days free per week – one of these can be made up of two half days | | If the Au Pair is required to drive, all expenses i.e. insurance, maintenance, petrol etc. pertaining to the car must be covered by the host family. |
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| Au Pair’s function with the family in the home: |
| The Au Pair is to share the life of the receiving family, while at the same time enjoy a certain degree of independence. | | Keep in mind there is always an adjustment time when engaging an Au Pair. Try to be patient and supportive, remember the Au Pair is in unfamiliar surroundings and with new people. | | Be very specific about the Au Pairs duties & schedules. (Make a list to avoid problems, discuss exactly what you would be asking of the AuPair before she arrives and make sure the AuPair has a detailed timetable every week). | | Au Pairs are expected to baby-sit weekly (depending on their hours and package), should never be asked to baby-sit on their free days. | | It is important to remember that the majority of Au Pairs do not have any formal childcare training, and are not in the same category as Nannies or Nursery Nurses. | | It is important that the Au Pair should be treated as part of your family, share the meals with the family, and be invited to share in their activity pursuits whenever possible. |
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Pocket Money:
Depends on how many hours the AuPair is working. 30 hours is €90 pocket money, 35 is €100 and 40 is €115. |
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| What Document and References should I receive from the Au Pair? |
| Medical Certificate stating the Au Pair is in good health. | | Two character references (Previous employer, Teacher, or school/college – No relatives). | | Police Clearance Certificate from the Au Pair’s home country. | | Copy of Driving license | | Copy of Passport |
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The AuPair’s Room:
The size of the room provided for the Au Pair does not matter, provided it is pleasantly decorated and large enough to accommodate a single bed, wardrobe and adequate storage space (if need be one can use space-saving furniture, such as drawers built in under the bed etc). There should also be a few book shelves. A television is optional but you should provide a radio & CD/cassette player. If possible a small desk and chair are helpful. |
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Before your AuPair arrives:
Before the AuPair arrives it is important to discuss in detail what you will ask of the AuPair. The more you can tell her before she arrives the less confusion there will be when she begins working. An Explanation on her weekly routine/daily routine, time off etc.
It is important to provide a weekly timetable for your AuPair. Please remember that it will take time for the AuPair to adjust to her new surroundings and will need support from your family to help her do so.
The Host Family must agree to ensure that their children treat the AuPair with respect and courtesy at all times. The Host Family must realise and agree that the success of the programme relies largely on their own initiative and shall try to integrate the AuPair into family life and should any problems arise communicate with her and actively seek a solution.
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Host Family Misconduct
The host family needs to be aware that they will be expelled form the Programme for gross misconduct in use of an AuPair. If an exchange programme needs to be terminated, the Host Family will continue to supply room and board and pocket money during the notice period (2 weeks). |
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| Typical AuPair duties: |
| dropping the children off at school | | picking them up from school or after-school activities | | helping with homework | | assisting in keeping the children’s rooms clean | | cooking light meals for the children |
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We can be contacted during office hours: Monday - Thursday
09:30 – 13:00 or 18:00 – 20:00.
Please call for an appointment: 00 353 1 2844675
Email: info@aupairstudy.com |
