First time au pair

[onlyone]

I am about to get my first au pair, anyone got a tried and tested contract and any hot tips.

Am going to send her on a first aid course and language course.

Try this site for advice :)

We had a live in nanny, which is very different. But sounds like you are on the right track getting a language course. :)

We have au pairs for for years now (I think that we're on number 6)

We have never had a contract.

People make promises, and are generally honourable. This is a person who you are trusting with your DC.

We always skype / phone and ask about childcare experience (naturally) but also previous time away from home / family acceptance of being in another country for so long.

As well as easyaupair.com (Terrible name!) We have found most of our girls through AuPairWorld.net.

Depending on where you live, it may be difficult getting a course that's worth while in school time. Here girls paid for their own and got photocopied exercises. not so hot so.

We now have a collection of self-study books bought from Amazon for the resident girl to use.

Best of luck.

Message me and I'll share house rules and contract. I have had live-in nannies for several years and now have an au pair / childminder combination. I do have a contract for the au pair, give her hols and everything else normally given to an employee. Her babysitting night is included in the hours/pay.

I don't pay for a language course. I give her enough time off to go to one but she pays for it. I would pay for the first aid course because that is more for my benefit, not hers.

You may not have had written contracts Anandan, but legally you have had a contract with every au-pair you have employed as soon as you started paying them (offer, acceptance, consideration). Au pairs are now covered by employment law in a way they weren't years ago so it's definitely worth having written contracts nowadays.