Sunflower Au-pair and Mothers Help Agency

 

  

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information for au-pairs

An au-pair is a young person, single, without children, between the ages of 17 and 27 normally from Europe who wishes to live as part of a family. They receive free board / lodging and pocket money and in return are required to undertake light household work and childcare / babysitting duties. The rates for pocket money are set by the British Government.

An au-pair is not a qualified nanny nor a domestic. His / Her experience in child care / housework is the one gained in her own home. She should be fully instructed before being left in sole charge of the household or children for any length of time.

An au-pair should expect to be treated as an "elder daughter" with rights and appropriate responsibilities. She should have her own room and be expected to take part in family activities. As she is here to learn the language of her hosts' country she should be allowed to attend a language class if she wishes to do so.

Duties

An au-pair may be asked to work 5 hours 5 days per week. Pocket money for au-pairs is normally a minimum of £50 per week.

Childcare: Preparing breakfast, taking / collecting children from school, helping with homework, playing games, feeding, bathing, dressing and reading them bedtime stories, taking them for walks and outings.

Housework: Vacuum cleaning, dusting, making beds, washing (most families have washing machines), cleaning, ironing, simple cooking, helping with meal preparation e.g. peeling vegetables.

Free Time: 2 full days at the weekend, they must be free to attend and English language class if they wish (classes are normally 2 or 3 times per week).

Mother's Helps

Where the mother is at home with the children she wants another pair of hands to help with the care of children and housework. Although less experience is required to work under supervision as a Mother's Help it is important to like children and to be flexible about duties.

Typical duties expected of a Mother's Help are:

  1. Assisting the mother with the daily routine from the time the children get up until they are in bed.

  2. Sorting and putting laundry in the washing machine and tumble dryer, then putting away clean clothes. Ensuring that repairs are made when necessary.

  3. Assisting with shopping and cooking, cleaning children's rooms and play areas (light housework). Most households employ cleaners for the heavy work.

  4. Playing with and entertaining children creatively, taking them to nursery school or approved play schemes, babysitting once or twice a week. Driving may be required.

  5. May accompany the family to the country for weekends and holidays.

  6. Time off is at least one and half to two days and evenings per week.

  7. Some families may require you to take sole charge of the children and do housework unsupervised. You are not expected to take sole charge of a newborn or very young baby.

  8. Mother's Helps can be live-in or live out.

  9. Mother's Helps can expect to be paid £80-£200 depending on the hours and conditions of service.

Au-pairs upon arrival should register with a local doctor. The National Health Service offers free emergency treatment / health care to EU nationals.

Whilst every attempt is made to match au-pairs with suitable families the key to a satisfactory au-pair placement requires flexibility and tolerance on both sides. Au-pairs who come from Turkey are required to register with the police within one week of entry into the country at either a local station or at the address below if they live in the London area (the registration fee is £30):

Overseas Visitors Records Office
10 Lambs Conduit Street
London WC1
Tel: 020 7230 1208

Failure to register could result in a fine or even imprisonment.

Au-pairs are not allowed to make arrangements for their friends to go to their family or any other family who are customers of this agency. Au-pairs must contact the agency if they wish for any such arrangement to be made or they will be liable to pay an agency fee of £300.

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Contact Details
Address: 32 George Lovell Drive, Greater London, Enfield, Middlesex EN3 6WE, UK
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 8245 4789 Mob.: +44 (0) 7740 867757
Fax: +44 (0) 1992 787398

© 2003 - 2005 Sunflower Au-Pair & Mothers Help Agency