Some of the au pairs jobs may include the likes of preparing simple meals for the children, taking them to and from school, helping with homework, tidying their things, and in most cases, assisting them with learning or improving their English language skills.
Feel At Home.
Au Pair Abroad.
What is an Au Pair?
An Au Pair is a childcare worker living with a host family in a foreign country. Au Pair jobs abroad programs are a hugely popular way to travel for international students, as the Au Pair arrangement is mutually beneficial. Au Pairs receive major benefits, as they earn pocket money, as well as having food and accommodation provided, in exchange for childcare and moderate household chores. Securing an au pair job abroad has never been easier, with an agency being able to help you through the entire process, so you can focus on offering the best support possible.
Why Become an Au Pair Abroad?
A low-risk, high-reward way to travel.
An Au Pair program is as personal as travel experiences come. It's an incredible opportunity to develop close relationships in a cultural exchange setting overseas.
Securing an au pair job abroad is also an impressive checkmark on a CV - if you're responsible and courageous enough to move around the world, care for children, and help teach them the English language, you'll be a great addition to your desired workplace.
Au Pairs have a chance to explore new places overseas, gain exposure to new cultures, improve language skills, and obtain valuable skills and experience.
Why Au Pairs are In Demand
Host families want cultural exchange experiences too - and some help with their kids.
Many families choose to host a foreign au pair because they need extra help caring for their children. Although it's expensive to host an au pair, the family receives the added benefit of improving their language skills and learning about another culture.
They feel that it's preferable to have a responsible caretaker in their home on a permanent basis, rather than send their child to a day care centre, or have varied part-time carers come into their home.
Au pairs are often also invited to join the family on their holiday destination, so that the parents can relax and enjoy their time off.
About Au Pair Programs
You can have the best of both worlds - Au Pair jobs abroad are the best way to feel at home when you're overseas. You'll have a home away from home, a close relationship with your host family, and time off to travel.
It's a great way to get out of your comfort zone - because you'll discover a brand new one.
What to Expect from Au Pair Jobs Abroad
Work Type: Childcare/Au-pairing
Food Provided: Yes
Age Requirement: 18-30
Accommodation Provided: Yes
Maximum Working Hours Per Week: 30-45
Flexible Timeframe: Yes (Minimum 3 months)
Your Responsibilities as an Au Pair Abroad
Assisting with Childcare
General Cleanliness
Au Pairs are responsible for their own cleanliness and general hygiene. Taking a reasonable role in helping to keep common areas such as the kitchen and bathroom clean, as well as helping out with day to day household chores will make sure you have a great relationship with your host family. A conscious effort to minimize your own mess is always appreciated.
Personal Travel Expenses
Au Pairs are responsible for paying their own travel expenses to and from the country they'll be living in, as well as any expenses incurred while exploring during their free time. On average, Au Pairs work around 30 hours a week, with lots of spare time to explore, either on days off or on the holiday time each Au Pair is entitled to.
What's Not Your Responsibility
Make sure you know what is and isn't required of you.
Au pairs shouldn't be required to do household chores. Your assistance might be required for some tasks, but in general, an au pairs job to help take care of the children. Some host families might employ someone to take care of certain duties such as cleaning or yardwork, and some of them are even live-in staff.
It's important to remember - the role is about providing assistance with childcare, as much as you're able to. Open communication with your host family about what you are and aren't comfortable with doing is the best way to ensure a happy relationship - and you may even be invited back.
What's Required of Your Host Family
You're not a hired hand - you're a part of the family.
The Au Pair jobs abroad programme is intended to be a cultural exchange experience. The host family should welcome the applicant as a family member, not as an employee or boarder. They provide the au pair with food, pocket money, and full accommodation in a private room, 7 days a week.
Host families need to live in an accessible area, so that Au Pairs have the opportunity to take a language course to improve their skills, as well as having a social life. While not required, host families overseas are encouraged to provide access to transit, either through access to a family vehicle, or with transit tickets. As an au pair abroad, you'll still have a comfortable environment around you.
Go with an IAPA Approved Agency.
We're official members of the International Au Pairs Association, which means we work at the very highest standards of Au Pair recruitment. IAPA is the global leader as an Au Pair and cultural exchange trade association.
If you're heading overseas, listen to a voice you can trust. Go with IAPA.
Why Travel with an Au Pair Agency?
Thorough vetting process of Au Pairs & host families
We ask each Au Pair to provide a minimum of two childcare references, a police background check issued within the last 6 months, and a declaration of full health.
Support when applying to be an Au Pair
International Au Pair agencies carefully design their programs, to ensure that the Au Pair and the family are both happy with the arrangement.
Au Pair agencies make sure that Au Pairs are going in to a loving family that has been thoroughly vetted and interviewed, and take maximum precaution to ensure the safety of both the Au Pair and the host family.
Smaller Earth along with our international Au Pair abroad placement teams, provide 24/7 support for all of our Au Pairs. We ensure everyone is fully prepared for their trip with a comprehensive pre-departure guide, advice and orientation where applicable.
Pre-departure preparation & Au Pair community
Once you have secured your au pair job abroad, your Au Pair coordinator will ensure that everything is set, and that you're fully prepared for your trip. You'll receive a comprehensive pre-departure guide, as well as any other advice and orientation necessary.
Your guide will contain useful information about your new country - how to get around, how to deal with culture shock, how to find language classes, and safety. It’s a complete manual about what to expect, especially for your first weeks when everything is brand new.
Many Au Pair abroad programs will also have a thriving community, either in-person or online, where you can get in touch with other program participants in the same area. It's a great way to kick-start your social life in a new place before you even arrive.
Once you're in your new destination, you'll be able to make plans to travel around with your fellow Au Pair friends.
Setting & maintaining expectations of the arrangement with the host family
One of the main reasons why it's a smart decision to go with an Au Pair agency is that they'll ensure you're getting the most out of your experience. Au Pairs should have time to study for and attend a language course, as well as time for exploring the area and a social life.
It's intended to be a cultural exchange travel experience, so Au Pairs should have time to themselves. Agency placement teams ensure that the Au Pair's well-being and free time are taken in to account and respected by the host family.
24/7 support and assistance for Au Pairs
Au Pair agencies have years of experience coordinating Au Pair jobs abroad. If you have any questions or concerns, or need any assistance, your coordinator will be able to help you out.
If anything does go wrong while you're overseas, you'll have somewhere to go, and an agency that will stand behind you to support you however you need it.
Au Pairs will be assisted whenever necessary during their stay by the agency staff. It's worth noting that if placements with host families do not work out, due to differences in lifestyles, views, or any other reason, your agencies will help set up an alternate arrangement. This may include finding a new host family for the au pair, ensuring that they have a pleasant stay.
Au Pair Jobs Abroad Guides
Au Pair FAQ's
Do I need to speak the language of the country I'm moving to?
No - fluency is not required. However, you will need to know some basics before you go. This will help you settle in and communicate with your host family, as English may not be their first language.
How long will it take to find me a host family?
The placement process could take up to 12 weeks, but you'll likely be sorted in 8 weeks or less. It's important that both the Au Pair and the host family find a suitable match, so we'll make sure we do everything possible to find the right host family for you.
Do I get to speak to the family before I depart?
Absolutely! In fact, we can't encourage this enough. Once you have been matched, it's a good idea to email or call the family a few times before you depart, so you can get to know them before you arrive.
My son or daughter wants to be an Au Pair. What should I expect?
If you're concerned about your son or daughter working as an Au Pair, you're not alone. Letting your child go off to another part of the world can be scary, but Au Pair programs are one of the safest ways possible for young adults to travel. Your child will be with a loving family, who have children of their own - and they'll be fully backed by an IAPA-approved agency.