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Original poster

AP Youth mobility Visa

28 replies

DrEvil · 16/06/2009 08:10

Hi all,

A while ago I posted about having an Australian AP / Mothers Help and I just wanted to update you on the ease of getting the visa sorted.

The girl that is coming over to help us now has her visa, she sent in application forms and about 6 weeks later was invited to an interview and a week after that was notified the visa had been granted. I provided her with a letter outlining what she would be doing, confirming dates and provinding my details. It all seems to have been an easy process.

So, we have the flight booked, I have redecorated the bedroom, I have a great 'agreement' that a helpful mnetter copied to me and will probably suplement this with a contract from Payefornannies who I will also be using for payroll. What else needs to go into a sort of 'pack' to make everything when she arrives?

I have no idea what our houserules might be as we're generally pretty relaxed and everything I think of seems to just be common sense, ie no loud music / loud socialising upstairs after the ds are in bed.

She's 20 so it seems a bit bizarre to be putting a curfew on her as I would assume that having had a ft job since leaving school she realises that to be up and working at 7am she needs some sleep.

Any help or advice for a 1st time AP employer very welcome.

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DadInsteadofMum · 22/06/2009 20:12

She speaks North American so is ESL as far as I am concerned, and previous was Dutch so spoke excellent English, the one before that was French and English was adequate so never really been an issue for me.

Original poster
DrEvil · 22/06/2009 19:26

Mine will have to be wine - no one in the house is to finish the bottle without warning me.

I'm praying for a cleaning obsession, that really is one 'fault' I could force myself to live with!

Glad the Canadian AP is going well Dadinsteadofmum has the language made a difference from ESL speakers in your opinion?

OP posts:
mananny · 22/06/2009 14:34

LOL Athene, I wouldn't DARE to touch your DC I would however expect a second fridge in the garage for my lowly supplies LOL.

AtheneNoctua · 22/06/2009 13:54

OMG, mananny, there would be a war over Diet Coke in the house if you worked for me.

mananny · 22/06/2009 13:29

LOl at Squiffy, I have the Last Diet Coke rule at my bosses house too - except it applies to them not drinking MY last DC! Usually they don't drink caffeinated stuff other than coffee so I get a 6 pack of DCs in the fridge for my consumption. Every now and then (usually after a night out) MB or DB might help themselves and woe betide if it's my last one, DC is my sole remaining sin and I am not a nice person if I go to the fridge and there isn't one there!!!!!

Squiffy · 21/06/2009 22:10

...the last diet coke...

Never forget the last diet coke rule, or it'll end in tears.

DadInsteadofMum · 21/06/2009 21:50

All is well - she seems to have a cleaning obsession - but this I can live with

Millarkie · 20/06/2009 17:16

Glad she's arrive ok DIOM, hope she's settling in well. Ours arrives next Saturday.

DadInsteadofMum · 19/06/2009 10:23

AOP = AP truly a fat finger error.

DadInsteadofMum · 19/06/2009 10:22

Incidentally should anybody be interested latest AOP - arrived last week on a Youth Mobility Visa (Canadian). No problems getting the visa and sailed through immigration at Heathrow - so that all apears to be working OK.

catepilarr · 19/06/2009 08:38

:DDD love your rules!

DadInsteadofMum · 18/06/2009 21:50

thank you

Original poster
DrEvil · 18/06/2009 19:45

Sorry Dadinsteadofmum, all you lovely ladies and gentlemen

OP posts:
Original poster
DrEvil · 18/06/2009 19:44

So, adding to my little book of eminently reasonable rules;

Please remember to wash regularly and deodorise, you have free access to the washing machine.

And after hearing another story today,

Please do not feel free to try and seduce my dh, although he is a friendly chap he is not part of the pay and benefits package.

I really feel as if, with all the help of you good ladies, my career as an AP host is going to get off to a swimming start.

Ps: ok then, I'll treat the poor girl to Craig McLaughlan's Greatest Hits, 'Heeeeeeeyyy Mona ...'

OP posts:
AtheneNoctua · 18/06/2009 13:05

Oh, there was a thread once about an au pair who stunk because she never showered. SO you want want to ask her to keep on top oof her person hygeine.

Original poster
DrEvil · 18/06/2009 12:17

Someone mentioned about APs having expensive accidents with household equipment so I'll also be adding a large laminated sign above the front door saying 'All breakages must be paid for' a la those old granny ornament shoppe places.

I do hope my little rules aren't getting too unreasonable.

OP posts:
Millarkie · 17/06/2009 21:40

DrEvil - I like your list but I wouldn't wish Rolf Harris even on current AP.
How about - if your family are going to use the house phone to ring you on (rather than skype direct to your headset) teach them to say 'hello, can I speak to X please' rather than silence and then embarrassed giggling?

AtheneNoctua · 17/06/2009 20:15

I think I would phrase 1 more like "If you meddle with the heating 1- you will find the bill on your desk and 2- I will have to walk round butt naked dripping with sweat and trust me you don't want to look at my hairy arse.!

Original poster
DrEvil · 17/06/2009 18:04

Okay, you lot are the experts

So you think it would be prudent to include:

  1. If you are chilly put on a jumper don't heat the house to 50 degrees
  2. No shagging in the public areas
  3. Wear clothes that cover both tits and arse
  4. Feck off out to be social (I am both miserable and an old boot)
  5. Remember to lock door/ switch lights off
  6. Fromage frais are never for you.

I was also thinking maybe a welcome gift of Rolf Harris' greatest hits and a woolly poncho...

OP posts:
Millarkie · 17/06/2009 15:29

I would rephrase AN's first house rule to include all other shared rooms of the house particularly on brand new rugs

How about:
It is not ok to rearrange my furniture or create sculptures in the garden using firewood.
If you are told that food is for the children's school lunches this is not an invitation to eat it all now.

eastmidlandsnightnanny · 17/06/2009 14:43

athene you have just made me laugh so much!!

AtheneNoctua · 17/06/2009 14:06

"...I have no idea what our houserules might be as we're generally pretty relaxed and everything I think of seems to just be common sense"

I have found it is wise to write down the things you think are common sense.

Things like:
It is not okay to have sex on my living room floor even if I am at work.
Please lock the house when you are the last one to leave it.
Please turn lights and computer off when you go on holiday for two weeks.
Please don't do the ironing in your skimpy clothes which reveal your clevage and your butt cheecks just inside the front door with the front door wide open so you can show all the neighbors what exactly you have to offer.

These are all things that have either happened in my house or I have read on here. "Common sense" I find is not universal.

DadInsteadofMum · 17/06/2009 12:54

We are remote as are a lot of other local APs (inc Millarkie) they all meet up in town (and occasionally crash their with some other porr family) have had friends from home to stay, but I say not until they have settled in.

Lol at SunnyD's extra bedding. Australia or not APs seem to be cold, current one will be putting on jumpers whilst I am wandering around in a Tshirt and she's Dutch!

sunnydelight · 17/06/2009 06:50

Remember, depending on whereabouts in Oz she's from you might think it's a hot Summer's day, she might be freezing! Have some extra bedding on hand.

Millarkie · 16/06/2009 22:41

Mine have never had friends over in the evenings - -but they do like to have friends from home visit and stay for a few days. This week our AP has her boyfriend visiting for a few days - a lot of AP host families would not allow that. The APs tend to meet up with the other APs in coffee shops or the gym in the day and in pubs/cinema at the evening. There was an AP nearby who had a self-contained flat and she would occasionally host sleepovers/dvd evenings.
This may be because we live in a village and the other APs are scattered over a large distance though.