An au pair placement is an arrangement where a single person between 17 and 27 years of age comes to the United Kingdom (UK) to learn English and:

Lives for up to two years as a member of an English-speaking family, with appropriate opportunities for study

Helps in the home for up to five hours a day with at least two full days off a week, in return for a reasonable allowance and their own room

The Au pair arrangement offers a good opportunity for girls & boys from Western and Eastern Europe to learn a new language whilst living as a member of a resident native speaking family. Au pair applicants are usually available for a minimum of 6 months. There are a number of Au pairs who want to come for approximately 2 months during the summer holiday period.

What do Au pairs duties involve?

An Au pair must be prepared to help their host family with general light housework and to help with young children for up to five hours per day, or a maximum of 25 hours per week. In addition, 2 evenings babysitting per week would be reasonable. It cannot be too strongly stressed that Au pairs are not trained nannies or domestic servants; they should not be expected to take sole responsibility for children or household duties. Several weeks "training" may be necessary before s/he can do their share of the light housework. During school holidays, an Au pair may be asked to look after children more when the parents are working. Families are expected to compensate for this either in pocket money or free time. However, au pairs should never be expected to work excessive hours.

An Au pair plus is an Au pair who does more than 25 hours a week for extra pocket money.

What Countries do they come from?

Au pairs come from many countries, it is very important you check that there is an Au pair agreement between your two countries and they are legally allowed to be an Au pair in the United Kingdom. Please see UK Visas for the latest information.

Free Time and Conditions

The Au pair should be given free time daily to study or to pursue other interests. Two whole days a week must be completely free and any evenings when babysitting is not required. S/he must have their own room where they can study in comfort, however the Au pair must also be made to feel that they are welcome to share in the social life of the host family, as if s/he were a member of it. Not to do this may lead to an Au pair becoming very homesick and lonely and eventually lead to them wishing to leave the family.

Language Tuition

Most Au pairs wish to follow a language course, usually for a few hours 2-3 times a week. This may take the form of private lessons or group classes at a private language school or technical college. Au pairs are responsible for their own fees, but it is extremely helpful of the family to assist them in finding the most suitable and convenient classes. Remember that the Au pair's attendance at classes legally takes precedence over their work for you, but obviously it is sensible that the girls' classes are at a time that is convenient to the family, both from the point of view of them getting there and back and from the point of view of the cost of those classes to the Au pair. For example, the Au pair is responsible for their own fees but if the family wishes them to attend in the evenings or at non normal times it would only be right for the family to pay the extra cost between the basic morning or afternoon classes and those in the evening. Please help your Au pair by contacting local colleges to gather information on class times and fees.

How much does an Au pair earn?

In the UK, The Home Office recommends from £45 per week, this must be paid on a weekly basis to the Au pair. Au pairs staying with families in country areas who have to travel quite far to language classes should receive above the "standard" pocket money to offset the cost of bus or train fares to their classes. An Au pair plus normally earns approximately £75 depending on the hours. We have also been advised by the Home Office that it would be reasonable for the family to give the Au pair two weeks notice when wishing to end the Au pair arrangement prematurely. 

Invitation and Travel

Once your family has decided to have an Au pair and you have selected a girl/boy, they will need a letter of invitation from you, giving them details of your family, their duties, free time and pocket money. Au pairs are responsible for their own travelling expenses. It is understood that the family will meet the Au pair from a major airport or mainline railway station.

Do they have to register with the police?

A student from a non EEC country must inspect their passport stamp on arrival as it may require that s/he reports to the Police at the Aliens Registration Office within seven days of their arrival, taking with them their passport, two passport sized photographs and a fee of approximately £34 (UK price). In England, Au pairs from EEC countries need only apply for a permit of residence when they have been in England for almost six months and wish to remain longer. They must then obtain Form Eec1 from the local Job Centre. Au pairs are responsible for their own registration fee and should be advised of this at the time of invitation. Au pairs should check with their local Embassy or Consulate for the country they are going to.

What about National Insurance & Health care?

In the UK, this is not paid for an Au pair. Most Au pairs can be treated under the N.H.S., although Au pairs from countries who do not have a reciprocal agreement with Great Britain should arrange for private cover before arriving in England. Au pairs going to other destinations should check before travelling that they are adequately covered for health care.

How do I check their background?

Background checks are always a bit tricky with Au pairs due to the language barrier between some countries. Certainly obtain at least two written references, preferably childcare references and telephone them to check they are genuine. Most Au pairs can also obtain a police check in their country free of charge to show they have no criminal record.

If you feel more comfortable, ask the Au pair to obtain a medical certificate from their GP to say they are fit & healthy.

Can they drive in the UK?

If your Au pair is to drive your car, it is important that you provide adequate insurance cover for them to do so. You should also check that they have a suitable driving licence or permit for them to drive in the UK. It might be a good idea to provide one or two driving lessons for the Au pair if they are apprehensive about driving here, especially if they are used to driving on the ‘right’.

How do I create the right Atmosphere?

The vast majority of Au pair placements are successful and happy. The following are likely to help:

When the Au pair arrives, give them a little time to settle in, and to become used to you and your family. If they want, let them make a brief call home to let their family know they have arrived safely.

Homesickness can be a problem. Be patient! Don't forget that the Au pair is a long way from home - possibly for the first time in their life. Talk to the Au pair! Remember that they have come to the United Kingdom to learn English, so it is important that they have the chance to communicate. You may need to speak slowly and particularly distinctly, but your Au pair's understanding will soon increase.

Treat the Au pair as you would the daughter of a friend from overseas, visiting your family.

Once a registered member, how do we contact an Au pair or Family?

Once registered you will be able to view our entire database.

Au pairs: Registered Au pairs can contact a family by adding them to your “hot list”. A button is provided on each profile. This will send them a summary of your profile and let them know you are interested in contacting them. Once the family has upgraded to a “Premier” membership you will be able to contact them directly by Email or the messaging system and they will be able to reply to you.

Families: Registered families can contact Au pairs by adding them to your “hot list”. A button is provided on each profile. This will send them a summary of your profile and let them know you are interested in contacting them. Once you are ready to contact Au pair/s you can upgrade to a “premier” membership. You will then have use of all our services, which includes direct contact information, and use of the Messaging system. Once a “Premier” member your contact information will become visible to Au pairs so they can contact you directly or via the messaging system.