WHAT IS AN AU PAIR?

The au pair experience is a cultural exchange program. As an au pair you get the chance to earn and learn in a family setting. Your time in language classes is combined with practical daily conversations. Au pairs travel longer for less and see the country as a local, there is no better way!

As part of the cultural au pair experience, in exchange for helping out with childcare or nanny duties and light housework, you are welcomed as a member of the family and given full board accommodation and pocket money.

In Australia an au pair is often called a nanny.

Click here to register now to be au pair or nanny

(Australian candidates only)

As au pair you can expect the following benefits:

• An opportunity to have a gap year on a low budget and travel for longer, in some destinations we even offer a 'flight refund bonus'
• An amazing cultural experience for life
• A warm welcome and private full board accommodation in your chosen country in the safety and comfort of a friendly screened host family
• The support from expert au pair or nanny agency in Australia to help prepare you before you go and in your chosen country during your stay
• Enjoyable work with children (and some light housework)
• Pocket money to pay for (language) classes, excursions and events
• A chance to meet new people and make friends for life
• Looks great on your CV
 

For the cultural au pair program you must fit the following criteria:

• Aged 18 – 30 eligible for Working Holiday* Visa   
• be unmarried and have no children
• be flexible, friendly, independent and open
• be happy to help with childcare and light housework for 25-30 hours per week
• stay for a minimum of 6 months**
• stay for a maximum of 12 months
• able to demonstrate that you are healthy have no criminal record
• able to demonstrate basic local language skills (not needed in Netherlands)

*In some countries dedicated au pair visas are available, criteria may vary slightly, especially age restrictions - lower maximum age

**Limited summer au pair positions (May-Sep) available on request

Tutor program Europe – live in-position where your main role is to communicate with family members for approx 15 hours per week to help them improve their English skills. Full board accommodation provided but no pay. Available for 3 month placements in France and Germany – no visa needed.  

Mother’s Help and professional nanny positions – full time live-in positions with responsibility for childcare, often for younger children.  (experience and/or qualifications required - UK & Netherlands)

HOURS & POCKET MONEY

Pay varies depending on the number of hours and the level of experience of each au pair. It also varies from country to country.

In Britain, pocket money for an au pair/nanny with native English is minimum £100 p/w (AUD170) although many families pay more. If you have qualifications or extensive experience, we can always get you better pay and maybe secure a professional nanny position for you. In other countries the pocket money is lower but should cover your regular expenses.

In all cases, families should provide a comfortable room and full board (all meals included). Duty hours should allow an au pair to study and attend structured classes. Two days per week should be free and suitable compensation should be received if extra work is required.

Additional payment and rewards:

Additional benefits vary, some families take au pairs on holidays to exotic destinations to luxury hotels but it is best not to expect this! Most host families are generous and want you to be happy. Many will make the effort to show you their city and their area and take you on excursions and family trips. Some will contribute towards local travel expenses or phone bills. There are also families who are prepared to pay for or contribute towards the cost of language lessons.

It is very important to agree in advance what you expect from each other on the basic hours and pay. Extras are a bonus!

*Mother's helpers, tutors and professional nannies from Australia are also part of our cultural exchange program. They are candidates who are willing and able to take on higher levels of responsibility, a Mother’s help or tutor does not need to be fully qualified, nannies can only be placed in a professional nanny position if they are fully qualified and can provide proof of qualification and experience. 

NOTE TO ALL AU PAIRS – During the (summer) holidays (July & August!) you may be asked to do extra hours. Holiday pocket money should reflect the extra hours. Many language schools are CLOSED during July/August.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?

For many cultural au pair positions a real affection for children is the main requirement. Practical experience is an advantage, even if it is only babysitting, as is an outgoing nature for coping and living with new people in a foreign country. You should also be flexible, independent, honest, mature and responsible.

Candidates with extensive experience in childcare and/or a qualification in childcare or teaching are very popular. We work with dedicated nanny agencies to secure you a role as a professional nanny.

If you have a background in education or you have been nanny before, we can often find you a position very quickly. In particular in Britain, families are prepared to pay more for experienced candidates, especially if you are willing to look after younger children. (no sole care for under 2s unless you have a nanny qualification)

Additional advantages - please make sure you highlight your skills in your letter to the family, the following 'extra skills' are highly in demand with families:
• Talents/sports that you can share with the children (such as swimming or painting)
• Experience/qualification in food hygiene and cooking
• (International) driving license
• Understanding of first aid

If you have more childcare experience, you may consider being a mother's help. Expect to be asked specific questions about your experience during your interview.

EXPECTED TASKS

Tasks will vary by family, but expect the following to be part of your duties in most families.
• Wake the children in the morning and get them ready
• Help the children to tidy their rooms and make their beds
• Prepare breakfast and lunch for the children
• Clean up breakfast dishes
• Make sure children have books and homework for school, drive children to/from school (if needed)
• Tasks while children are at school: shopping, light housework
• Prepare a healthy afternoon snack
• Assist the children with their homework, initiate and supervise play
• Help the children with their bath routine and help get them ready for bed

Host families describe their requirements on the profile and they are able to prepare a handbook, that Smart Au Pairs provides them. It helps to define the job so that expectations are clear.

HOW ABOUT FREE TIME?

An au pair should have 2 days and most evenings free. New friends are usually quickly made through language classes and children’s activities. In the first weeks, you can ask the host family to help find other au pairs in the area. Local agencies also provide a contact list.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Cultural au pairs are expected to pay for their own travel to the host country (nearest airport to host family). The host family will pick you up from the airport or arrange for collection. In the Netherlands and Germany we have a 'flight refund bonus' so that you get your flight costs refunded after successful completion of the au pair program.

Click here to see in which countries we offer au pair overseas programs.