FAQ

Preguntas Frecuentes

• What is an Au Pair?

  An au pair is a young person aged 18 to 30, unmarried with no children, going abroad for a temporary period of time and living with a host family. Whilst living abroad, the new temporary family member assists his or her host family with childcare and light housework.
  
  Incidentally, the term au pair is French and means "by mutual agreement". Therefore, au pairs receive a pocket money, live free of charge with their host families, just as regular family members, and share meals with the families. The monetary allowance and amount of working hours are defined by the regulations of the respective host country. The main objective of an au pair placement is the mutual cultural exchange – within an informal setting.
  
  As a "big sister" or "big brother", an au pair occasionally takes on the responsibility of looking after the children. By living with a host family, he/she improves his/her language skills and normally attends a language course. He/she gains an insight into the family's life, as well as culture, language and the lifestyle of the host country. The au pair gets to know more about the daily routine of his or her host family, as well as new customs and habits. He/she gains new experiences, impressions and perspectives. All these are advatages – even for their future careers.

• What will my tasks be?

  As an au pair, you will be living with your host family like a regular family member assuming daily tasks throughout your stay with them. As a son or daughter for a defined period of time, you are primarily in charge of childcare, a task which requires a great sense of responsibility on your part. Furthermore, you will help with light housework related to childcare, such as:
  
  - preparing the children's meals
  - washing and ironing their laundry and putting it back into the wardrobes
  - helping the children tidy up their rooms
  - taking the chidren to school or their spare time activities and back home
  - helping them with their homework and supporting their school development
  
  However, you should not only be aware of your duties, but also of your rights: an au pair is neither a nanny nor a home help or carer for the elderly. He or she is no employee, but must be considered a fully adequate family member throughout his or her entire stay as an au pair.

• Is au pairing the best thing for me?

  Do you wish to get to know a different culture and explore a foreign country?
  Do you intend to improve your language skills in your host country and gain new important experience for your personal and professional future?
  Do you love caring for children?
  Should you have answered these questions with "Yes", au pairing would be just the thing for you. The Info host countries section will help you thoroughly get to know the culture and language of your host country. At the same time, you will live with your host family like a "big brother or sister for a defined period of time", having close persons who support you while you are abroad.
  
  Au pairing entails much joy and fun, however, also a great deal of responsibility, especially when it comes to childcare. Therefore, it is very important that you love to assume responsibility and are not afraid of new challenges. After all, it can be very life-enhancing for an au pair to tackle challenges. You will get a more detailed overview of the au pair experience by reading our Au pair stories our au pairs and host families have sent us.

• What is a family host?

  A host family has at least one child under the age of 16 and invites an au pair from a foreign country for a defined period of time to join in family life. Single parents also qualify as host families if their children live with them on a permanent basis. The au pair lives with the host family just as a regular family member and participates in family activities.
  
  The main duty of an au pair living with a host family is looking after the children and helping with light housework. In return, the family provide their au pair with free board and a room of his or her own in the family home. They also pay the au pair an agreed amount of pocket money. (The amount of pocket money and working hours are defined by the regulations of the respective host country). The au pair should have the possibility to improve his/her language skills by attending a language course.

• Can I choose my home country as my host country?

  We don't accept registrations from users who want to work in their own countries, because as part of our
  Basic idea of au pairing the aim of the au pair stay is to get to know another culture and language. In some countries, the government also doesn't allow au pairs to work in their own country.

• Will I recieve a salary?

  No, as an au pair you will not receive a salary. Your host family will pay you a certain amount of pocket money. It varies according to the relevant host country and partly depends on your working hours.