FAMILIES INFORMATION:
FAMILY QUESTIONS: 1. First you must complete and return an application form, together with some family photos, a family reference and a “Dear Au pair letter” and registration fee of €50. 2. When you have registered with this agency we will then do our best to find a suitable applicant. You will then receive details, references, photos and a “Dear family” letter from the au pair. If you accept a long term applicant the placement fee is €350 (over 7 months) payable when au pair has booked her flight to Ireland. €150 for summer au pairs and €250 for short term up to 6 months. 3. If you specify nationality, age, driving licence etc. your choice may be reduced. You must pay for car insurance if you require your au pair to drive. 4. A family must help an au pair to settle in, explain their duties and help find English classes in your area. REMEMBER you and your family are strangers to the au pair, and your au pair is away from home, perhaps for the first time. 5. Au pairs are in great demand and some register with more than one agency. It is important to make your decision promptly. There is always the chance that if you delay, the au pair you like will have found a family elsewhere. 6. In your “Dear au pair” letter please give information about your family, number of children, area you live in, local amenities and what you expect from your au pair. 7. When you have decided on an au pair, we will send you an acceptance form, which you should sign, and return to us with payment before you au pair books her flight to Ireland. 8. To ensure safety of your au pair you must meet her at the airport, bus/train station, when she arrives in Ireland. 9. Your au pair may be new to this country so it is advisable to inform her of places to go and not to go. Provide a bus and dart timetable. Inform them of your local swimming pools, cinemas, discoetc. The pocket money described is the minimum accepted, even if your au pair is only doing 15 hours a week, you must pay the minimum stated. Standard au pair - (25hours: €70-80*per week) Au pair plus - (30 hours: €80-90*per week) A mother’s help would expect a higher rate of pay:
ONE LAST THING: Au pairs are people with feelings, likes
and dislikes. There may be some teething problems at first. Your
au pair may feel home sick. It is in your interest that you do your
best to make your au pair feels at home. We will supply a list of
other au pairs placed through this agency, which your au pair can
contact. [ back to top ] MORE INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES Being a host family is mostly common sense. If you find your au pair is either not listening or helping you in the way you asked, talk with her when you both have time. Does she have a problem or simply just not understand you. Make sure she knows that you are always willing to explain thoroughly any of your requirements. Explain where she could go to meet other au pairs. There may also be places in your area where she should not go. Cinemas, swimming pools, local coffee shops, bowling etc. are things young people enjoy. Inform your au pair of local facilities and how to get there. (Bus, dart etc.) If your au pair is going to be out late at night staying overnight with a friend, they must inform you. Explain to your au pair that she may not slap, hit or shake your children. Explain to her how you deal with your children when they are naughty. Don’t forget to tell her about a child’s curiosity and the dangers they can get in to. And if you have a baby in nappies your au pair should change them as soon as they are soiled or wet and not to leave it till you get home. Finally, if you have any problems you feel you cannot deal with don’t hesitate to contact this office. [ back to top ] |
