Tips on hiring your first au pair

You like the idea of having an au pair and someone to help out with your children, but not too sure what it entails?

These quick tips will give you an idea of what’s involved and what you need to think about when it comes to hiring an au pair for the first time.
 

Tips on hiring your first au pair

 

1. Things to think about when hiring an au pair

 

• It’s important to remember that au pairs are not qualified child carers. Their past experience will usually range from babysitting to part-time childcare.

 

• You need to also bear in mind that they might not have suitable experience to look after young babies and/or toddlers.

 

• An au pair coming to New Zealand will not necessarily speak English as their first language.

 

• They will be in New Zealand on a working holiday for generally only 3 months to 1 year.

 

2. Au Pair duties

 

• Au pairs are usually hired on a live-in basis and the hours they work during the day will vary depending on each  family’s requirements and the agreement with the au pair agency.

 

• An au pair may also be required to carry out some evening babysitting duties.

 

• Au pair duties involve helping parents with general childcare such as bathing and feeding the kids, cooking family meals, school runs etc.

 

• Au pairs may also be expected to complete duties such as doing the children’s washing and ironing, keeping the children’s bedrooms and play areas clean and tidy etc.

 

3. Host family responsibilities

As a host family you will be expected to provide a clean, welcoming home for your au pair.

This includes:
 

• A comfortable bedroom with a window, bed, desk, adequate heating and access to a bathroom.

 

• Ideally access to a computer, internet and TV.

 

• Three meals per day including weekends.

4. Cost to hire an au pair

The cost to hire an au pair will vary depending on the number of hours they work and duties involved.

Contact a professional au pair agency for more details.
 

More nanny & au pair articles to enjoy:

• 8 Common pitfalls to avoid when hiring a nanny
• Choosing a nanny
• Hiring your first au pair - a mother's experience

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