Welcoming our au pair

[Gusthetheatrecat]

We have our first au pair arriving on May the 29th. She'll be with us for two months, coming from France.

I was wondering what preparation I should do to help her settle in? I've read a thread on here where someone recommended making up a welcome pack with info about local places to go, and pictures from the children, so I will definitely do this.

I am also:

• clearing out the spare room completely so the space is all hers
• organising two Oyster cards, one for her to use if she's out with us (we pay) and one for her own use (which we'll preload with a certain amount as a pre-arranged part of her pocket money arrangements)

-going to see if we can organise her a phone so she can contact us

• contacting a friend who has an au pair, to try to set them up as a social contact
• going to write down a typical week, with hours and tasks, so we can discuss it

Is there anything else I should do or prepare or think of?

Also, can I seek advice about paid holiday? How much do you think I should offer for a two month stay?

Thanks for your help.

We did all of the above for our au pair

We also added a welcome basket of toiletries in their room

A manual is very important - ours was very thorough and includes things like how to use the washing machine

I wouldn't offer leave if the au pair is only with you for 2 months

A 'manual'? That sounds like a very good idea... But also like a lot of work to write!
A basket of toiletries is a lovely idea - will pinch that, thank you.
I see your point about holiday, interesting. I had assumed I would offer a small amount.

Re phones, both tesco and 3 offer capped contracts so the AP cant run up bills. A smartphone is good so they can use whatsapp and skype to ring home for free, but get insurance on the phone as they are ££££to replace when they "go missing". Include phone in contract and clearly state that if the phone is lost or stolen it is the AP's responsibility to replace it, (if you have insurance any payment to replace should be covered by AP) also it is the AP's responsibility to return the phone in a good state at the end of the contract term.
If you have everything in black and white they know what the deal is, and if you feel its unfair or want to help replace phone you can always negotiate this when needed.

I think a manual is a good idea - particularly if her English isn't perfect. It will reduce communication problems and you can reuse it for future au pairs. If things are written down she can refer back to it rather than stare blankly at you while you give what you think are perfectly clear instructions.

HRHQueenme - that is v useful info re phone, thank you.
merrymouse - good point re manual. I will get writing ...

Sounds odd, but is recommend sleeping in her bed for a night before she arrives, it's a good way of noticing odd lights/noises etc!

I wouldn't buy a phone. Most young people have a smart phone they are pretty attached to and they bring it, most sort their own new SIM cards, I just wouldn't get involved as its unnecessary.

We do a short manual and welcome cards, an AZ (we are in London), an Oyster and I arrange for friends with au pairs to meet-up with us in first few days.

Rather than having the faff of two Oysters, which would be easy to mix up, I would either reimburse her when she uses her card for family stuff or just pay for a monthly travel card for the zones she is likely to use for family things and she can top it up if she goes outside those zones.

I bring new au pairs to the phone place to get a PAYG sim when they arrive as it's tricky to understand the different packages, especially in a foreign language.