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Original poster

New Au Pair arriving - advice please

28 replies

MiddleAgedMother · 03/01/2017 13:13

We have an au pair arriving tomorrow.

She's young, from Germany and I'm keen to get things off to a good start so all advice appreciated.

(Had a temp older au pair in the past but with experience and had both live in and live out nannies - but this is our first experience of a young au pair on her first role.)

Our youngest DC is 9.

So far I have done notes on the house, school and activities, printed out maps and a draft daily/weekly schedule, got details for language classes and gym.
Also a U.K. phone with a SIM card and we will pay for that.

We are in outer London zone 4 but pretty much everything is within walking distance. She will have an Oyster card for work. (I can get a spare one for her personal use she can put money on.)

The room is bright and tidy and will have flowers, shampoo, shower gel etc in the shower room.

What more to do?
What obvious things am I likely to forget that she wouldn't know?

What do you do in evenings? Do they spend every evening and weekend with you - I know she is young and part of the family too but would like some time "off" and we only have one sitting room.

(We have a good size kitchen and au pairs room is v large with TV, sofa etc.)

How do they meet other au pairs? Some at the school gate and I've emailed one other mother I know with an au pair. Are their websites?

Her English is amazing so she is not sure she will do language classes.

Thank you.

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OVienna · 03/01/2017 20:21

You should have her address and to have followed up references before she arrives...

Your prep sounds fine, but maybe try to steer her towards FB groups locally where she can meet other au pairs. If she has a hobby -great, steer her towards a group too. This will really help with the socialising. Most find their feet and dont hang about in the evenings after the first few weeks. We have had one nototious one who didnt but tbh I dont think something in a guide book woukd have helped with this partucular person. See how it goes and if it's an issue you can always pop back. Smile

katieks · 03/01/2017 19:26

If not using an agency:
Get a copy of their passport and home country address details.
Make sure you've followed up references.
Get them to sign a contract/agreement (examples ones abound online)

Sorry to be a party pooper but I didn't do this and it cost me very dearly. I was far too trustworthy despite an uneasy feeling - go with your gut instinct.

PolarEspresso · 03/01/2017 17:07

If you don't want her to spend every evening with you, then put it in writing in your welcome back.

Daily routines, checklists etc in writing. Plus any rules for the kids eg when they can watch TV, eat sweets.

Be explicit about everything, for example being fully showered and dressed before starting work. Keeping their room/bathroom clean and tidy (I have even started specifying how often they need t hoover and change bedsheets at a minimum!).
What food can they eat for lunch, when can they use the washing machine?

There are lots of au pair Facebook groups.

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