Au Pair

If you wish to be an Au Pair or Mother’s Help with APNI, please read the enclosed information carefully.
We can ONLY accept candidates with EU passports. Please click here to download application form and email the completed form and the rest of the documents to admin@apni.co.uk in PDF format, or send originals by post.

Who is Au Pair Network International (APNI)?
Au Pair Network International was established in 1992.  Our professional team is committed to finding the most suitable family for you as a prospective Au Pair.  Everyone at our agency has many years’ experience of arranging Au Pair placements both at home and abroad.  Since all members of our staff have themselves been Au Pairs, we have an excellent understanding of your needs and concerns.
Au Pair Network International is a founder member of IAPA the International Au Pair Association, BAPAA the British Au Pair Agency Association, BETA the British Education Travel Association and is a full member of WYSETC, the World Youth Student Educational Travel Confederation.
IAPA has since 1994 worked to protect the rights of Au Pair and Host families as well as setting internationally approved guidelines for the Au Pair programme. For you has an Au Pair this means that you will have the security and back up of travelling with a widely recognised organisation that is dedicated to live up to the high standards we set for ourselves as members of IAPA.

Why Choose APNI?
Because we take pride in making sure you are happy and confident about your new experience.  We help ensure that your application is of the highest standard and guarantee to find you a suitable host family in the UK.
We will help you settle into your new home and host country and are always happy to help you if you need assistance in any way (finding language classes, meeting other Au Pairs, etc.).  All of us were at APNI used to work as Au Pairs or Nannies, which helps us to understand your better.

What is expected of me as an Au Pair?
As an Au Pair you will live with a host family as a member of the family.  Duties vary from family to family but in general, you must be prepared to help out with childcare and light household duties (e.g. dusting, laundry, cooking simple meals, ironing).  You will, of course, have sufficient free time to study and explore the country!
Au Pairs work between 25 and 30 hours per week and receive a minimum of £70 pocket money per week.
Au Pairs Plus work between 30 and 35 hours per week and receive a minimum of £85 pocket money per week.
All Au Pairs have two free days every week (normally the weekend), and are expected to baby-sit on average twice a week.

What is expected of me as a Mother’s Help?
As a Mother’s Help you will live with a host family as a member of the family, and work alongside the mother.  Duties vary from family to family but in general, you must be prepared to help out with childcare and light household duties (e.g. dusting, laundry, cooking simple meals, ironing). Mother’s Help should have previous working experience looking after babies or toddlers, and can be expected to work up to 50 hours per week. 
Mother’s Help work between 30 and 50 hours per week and receive a minimum of £180 pocket money per week.

Who can apply to be an Au Pair or Mother’s Help?
To be eligible for the Au Pair and Mother’s Help programme, you must fulfil the following criteria:
be an EU citizen
be at least 18 years old
be unmarried and have no children of your own
be outgoing, flexible and open to new ideas
be happy to assist with childcare and light household duties between 25 and 40 hours per week
enjoy being with children and have some childcare experience (babysitting, training, etc.)
be able to stay a minimum of 10 months
be in good health and have no criminal conviction

How do I apply for an Au Pair or Mother’s Help position?
Applying to be an Au Pair or Mother’s Help is no different from applying for any other job.  It is therefore very important that your application is of high standard. To ensure your application is complete, please follow our application procedure carefully.
You should complete as much of your application as possible in English language.
A “Dear host family” letter. This should be at least two pages long and give your future family some more information about yourself, your family, your interests and your childcare experience.  You should also explain why you want to be an Au Pair.
2 childcare references. These should be recent and must state the age of the children looked after, the period of employment and the name, signature and contact number of the referee.  Suitable references would be from a family for whom you have babysat regularly, or a school or nursery, where you have done work experience. We do not accept references from family members.
1 character reference. This reference should ideally be from a teacher or an employer and should again include a contact number.
A medical certificate (not more than 3 months old) confirming that you are in good health and that there is no medical reason why you should not work as an Au Pair.
A criminal record checks (can be obtained by contacting your local police station).
A collage of photos of yourself, your family, your friends, your home, and you with children you have looked after.
Signed Au Pair agreement.
Other diplomas, certificates, copy of driver licence and passport or ID.

How long will it take before my placement is confirmed?
It all depends on how good your application is and how many families there are looking for an Au Pair at that particular time.  There are certain times of the year when we have more families looking for Au Pairs than other.
Most families in the UK are looking for Au Pairs to start at the beginning of the school year (end August/ beginning September) and to stay until the end of the school year (middle/end July).
Therefore, if we receive your application between April and the end of June and you can stay for the whole of this period, we should be able to find you a family fairly quickly.
Many families also look for Au Pairs who can start at the beginning of January and stay for a minimum of 10 months. If you would like a host family for this period, then you should apply with us between October and December.
We do, however, welcome applications throughout the year and in general the longer you can stay as an Au Pair or Mother’s Help and the better your experience, the easier it is for us to find you a family. A well-presented application also makes a good impression on the family.

Do you have any useful advice for me as an Au Pair?
Attitude
First and foremost it is very important that you approach your new challenge with a positive attitude and lots of initiative.
Make sure you inform your family and us as soon as you have your arrival details.  We advise you to purchase an open ticket in case of any emergencies that might cause you to leave earlier than planned.

Money
We highly recommend that you bring some money with you for the first couple of weeks in your new home (as you are paid in arrears, you will not receive your payment until the end of your first week).  It is well worth considering getting an internationally accepted credit card such as a Visa or MasterCard before your depart just in case an emergency occurs or you may need extra money to help pay for language classes or travelling.

Language Classes
Please be aware that language classes are likely to be expensive, costing a minimum of around 250.00 GBP per term.  Some schools are much more expensive, especially in bigger cities.  Over the summer, most families cannot allow their Au Pair much time to attend any language classes as the children are on holiday, meaning that they require extra childcare.  Also, schools are often closed from June until September.

Insurance
Before your departure, make sure that you have the appropriate insurance cover for your Au Pair stay. Everything apart from car insurance is your own responsibility.

Have fun!
Finally, all of us here at APNI strongly advise you from personal experience to make the most of your stay from the beginning to the end.  You will be amazed at how fast time goes by once you have settled in and before you know it, it will be time to return home!

Driving Licence
You will need to have an international driving licence if you agree to drive in the family. The family will provide you with their car and insurance. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Payment is done by the Host family once per week in arrears:
Regular Au Pair receives a minimum of £70 per week
Au Pair Plus receives a minimum of £85 per week.
Mother’s Help receives a minimum of £180 per week.
Families may offer various perks and bonuses such as contribution towards language classes, transport, bonuses etc.

Termination
In the event of either party wishing to terminate the stay earlier than agreed, both parties are required to give a minimum of two weeks’ notice and agency must be informed immediately.
In the event of gross misconduct by either by the Child minder or the Host Family, both parties shall be entitled to terminate the engagement with immediate effect.

Holiday
The Au Pair / Mother’s Help is entitled to 20 days holiday per year, exclusive of Bank Holidays.

Expenses
The Au Pair / Mother’s Help is responsible for his/her travel arrangements and expenses to/from the family’s home country. Language courses, local transport, and travel insurance are also payable by the Au Pair / Mother’s Help.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO FINDING YOU A FAMILY!!
We can ONLY accept candidates with EU passports. Please click here to download application form, e-mail the completed application form and required documents to admin@apni.co.uk in PDF format, or send the originals by post to APNI, 14 Basil Street, London SW3 1AJ, UK.