New Au pair

[AttillaTheMum]

Hi,

We have an au pair starting. What would your advice be to me? How could I make her stay comfortable, what would be nice to provide?

For example I have been and bought her new towels and bedsheets, should I unwrap the sheets and make the bed or leave it so she can see they are new and therefore we have made an effort.

This is new territory for me!

Wash them surely...otherwise she will think you expect her to? Make the bed, she won't expect new sheets, just clean! Not sure where you live but a tube map or a to z etc might be handy. Form for registering at doctors...um...can't think what else.

I would make up the bed for her.

Maybe also make up a little file of local info - maps, brochures, bus timetables etc? A "manual" for what goes on in your house?

Have a few basic toiletries ready in case she has forgotten anything?

Do you have info about local English classes etc? Local networks for au pairs to meet up?

A little written "intro" to each family member, with photos to help her remember who is who, likes/dislikes etc?

A little "welcome basket" with a few snacks/other essentials, and a note to welcome her to the family? Something made by your kids (if old enough)? Some fresh flowers?

Agree, you should definitely make up her bed - clean sheets will be the thing she will be bothered about, rather than if they are new. info on local language classes also great.

We usually give our au pair an A-Z, an Oyster card with about £20 credit, a dictionary, a Time Out magazine and an adaptor for electrical items.

Oh that adaptor is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that.

We do work stuff on the second day. Contract (sent before do it can be looked over in their own time with a dictionary if needed), manual for the house and child including washing machine progs, any temperamental appliances and common warming lights, preferred activities, emergency contexts, useful phrases for emergencies plus map of local area, form for a bus pass, papers for bank account and doctors forms.

Make up the bed, flowers in the room and chocolate is appreciated. If your house is cold then slippers are a nice welcoming gift! Mobile phone, bit of paper with the wifi key, a few sample size toiletries.

Dont mention aupairs and nappy changing MN police will be right onto you
I do a pot of flowers in the room, choccie bar and magazine.

Well DS cosleeps with us so we do but otherwise I'd just save in the general direction and say something jokey about its a tip so safer not to go in.