What is an au pair?
An au pair is a single person between the age of 17 and 27, without dependents who wish to travel to the United Kingdom to live with a family so that you can learn the English Language and gain experience and understanding on our culture and ways of British life.
What will my duties be?
An au pair helps with the children and helps look after the household. If any children are at school then you may be required to drop off and pick up the children from school. Any younger children that are not of school age will be entertained, maybe walks to the park or to music groups. Light cleaning and tidying of the house including hovering, dusting and cooking some meals etc You will also be asked to babysit twice a week in the evenings.
How long will I be needed for?
Some host families look for short term or summer au pairs, but the majority of families are looking for long term au pairs. Some au pairs stay with their host families from 6 months to 2 years. In this time you will make new friends from fellow students you will meet attending English Classes, as well as being a friend to your host family.
Will I be responsible to pay for anything?
As an au pair coming to the UK you will be responsible for paying for your transport to come over to England. The host family will meet you at your destination whether it is at an airport, bus station, train station or port. Your new host family will help you look for suitable colleges/schools to help you enroll on courses to study English. Some colleges can charge you a fee, which could be around £200 a term. All college fees are your responsibility in paying for and not the responsibility of the host family, however, the host family may lend you the money which you can pay back on a weekly basis from your pocket money. In some cases it has be known that the host family will help pay towards the costs of college (normally for au pairs who stay 12 months +). If you are an au pair coming form an EU Country and there are Adult Education Centres near to your host families' home then you may be entitled to free classes/lessons and only have to pay for the exam fees.
How much will I earn each week?
The pocket money to be expected does vary on whether you will be an au pair or au pair plus. A normal au pair working 25 hours per week will receive £60 per week pocket money which is regulated to government standards and an au pair plus can expect to receive between £80 -90 per week pocket money.
Will I be expected to drive?
No but if you have applied for an international drivers licence and you feel confident to drive then your host family may provide you with a car. They may want you to take a few driving lessons first so you can get to know the way of driving in the UK.
How do I apply to become an au pair with Kent Nannies?
- By filling in the online registration form you can register with us and we can start looking for a host family immediately. With your application you will need to write a letter to the host family with details of your family and your home town etc. Below is an idea of what you can put in your host family letter.
- Introduce yourself, where you were born and where you live now.
- Describe your family, including sisters and brothers and your parents’ occupations.
- Describe your community and its location in your country.
- If you have child care experience describe the children you have cared for and the type of things you have done with them.
- Describe your goals for the future.
- Share information about yourself and what you enjoy doing (hobbies, sports, music, the type of books you enjoy, etc.)
- Explain why you want to be an au pair and what you hope to gain from this experience.