Information

For Families only

A family should give the au pair a private room of their own which is clean and comfortable.

The family should give help to find local classes where the au pair can learn English. The family should enable the Au Pair to visit places of interest and to take part in social activities. The au pair will need to pay for tuition at English classes unless the family choose to support the training. The family will need to make sure that travel arrangements are agreed before the au pair arrives and a letter of invitation is sent to the au pair prior to arrival. It is helpful for the family to meet the au pair on arrival but this is not always possible if the family live at a great distance in which case alternative arrangements should be made on arrival to Britain. The au pair pays for the air fare to Britain. But you should arrange their onward journey.

Au pairs usually stay in Britain 6-12 months, in summertime 3 months. Most Au Pairs are prepared to start in August-September and stay for 6-12 months. However there are some applicants throughout the year for different periods of time.

After 6 months in a family the Au Pair is entitled to a week’s holiday. It is only fair to pay the pocket money but this is not obligatory. It is important that any holidays taken by the family should include the Au Pair. If this is not possible, other mutual arrangements should be made (e.g. some girls like to return home for Christmas).It is suggested that Au pair take off Bank holidays along with the rest of the country. If it is necessary for the Au pair to work during this time it is a nice gesture to either pay extra time or time off in lieu should be given. Au pairs may remain in the family home during holidays if desirable.

We can arrange for au pairs to change families provided the new arrangement continues to meet the requirements by law and is authorized by Christian au Pairs. But the agency should be informed of any difficulties early on. No consideration can be given if an au pair leaves a family unless the agency has been given an ample opportunity to find a solution.

It may be a nice gesture to allow the Au pair to telephone home perhaps once a fortnight for a few minutes. Even better to allow the au pair a pay-as-you-go mobile phone. Also consider adding SKYPE to your computer for free international calls. Girls benefit greatly from the use of the internet to keep in touch with family and friends. However, be aware if the au pair is not getting a social life as she will likely become homesick.

Most Au Pairs who come to the UK are away from home for the first time and are adjusting to a new language, a new environment, new customs that may be totally different to that they are used to. They may feel homesick at first! Families should be understanding during this period and should try to help the Au pair adjust to their new surroundings. Should problems persist we would appreciate you contacting our Agency and raising your concerns. Families should be aware that Au pairs come to the UK to learn English and should be willing to help correcting mistakes in speech. If families speak a second language they must always speak in English whilst the Au pair is there. It is not uncommon for an Au Pair to leave a family if they are not involved in an English speaking environment.

Please be aware that at certain times of the year there are shortages of Au Pairs. This tends to fall between December and May and although we do our very best to help you it is advisable to be aware of the situation should you decide to change Au pairs during that period of time.