Rainbow Au Pairs Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 6808082
Rainbow Au Pairs Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 6808082
Register as an Au Pair Families Register for an Au Pair Au Pair Agency Services Au Pairs for Kent, Sussex and London What is an Au Pair?
Nature of the Programme: The au pair programme is a cultural exchange programme and not a contract or work. Au pairs must be welcomed as a member of the family.
Age: Traditionally, an au pair is aged 17 – 27, however an au pair from the EU (not the new Accession Countries such as Romania and Bulgaria) can be older
Hours on duty: Au pairs can be on duty from 25 – 35 hours per week if they are from an EU country. This is limited to 25 hours per week if the au pair comes from Bulgaria or Romania. These hours can be spread out over 5 days per week. Longer hours are usually referred to as ‘au pair plus’.
Pocket Money: Au pair should expect some pocket money which can be from £65-80 per week for 25 hours, regardless of whether the minimum hours are worked. For 30 hours the minimum should be at least £80 per week.
Babysitting: Two evenings babysitting per week are included as part of the programme. Additional pocket money should be paid for any additional evenings.
Leisure time: The au pair’s schedule must provide sufficient time to attend language school, and the au pair shall receive two free days each week and should be offered one full weekend off per month.
Holiday entitlement: The au pair is entitled to a minimum of two weeks holiday per year; one week for every six months stay. Pocket money will be paid during these two weeks. If the au pair placement is for a shorter time, holiday is calculated pro-rata. The au pair should not be forced to take holiday to coincide with the family holiday. Au pairs should be able to take UK Bank holidays as free time.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework duties is below these guidelines.
Childcare: An au pair is not permitted to have continuous sole charge of children under the age of two.
Room and board: The au pair receives full room and board from the family throughout the stay. The au pair must have her own private room with a window and not be required to share with children, and she should be given facilities to study.
Travelling Costs: The au pair is required to pay their own travelling cost to and from the UK, unless the family chooses to fund this.
Insurance: EU au pairs visiting the UK do not need additional health insurance as they are entitled to use the National Health Service. The au pair may also wish to take out additional travel insurance to cover loss of belongings, repatriation in case of accident, death etc.
Language School and Costs: Au pairs must be given enough time to attend language school. Your family will help you to find a language course when you arrive but unless you are from an EU country, you may have to pay for the classes yourself.
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