Do you have a 'welcome pack' for your au pair?

[WonderingWillow]

Had a couple of au pairs now, and starting to wonder for the next girl we have (Australian) whether we should make a welcome pack for her? The agency sends one anyway, but they tend to be pretty crap.

Just something like local amenities, shops, train station, how to use and Oyster card, leaflets for attractions, along with the other bits we provide like a doctor's & dentist list and handy phone numbers?

Does anyone think this is a good idea? Or have any suggestions?

I do an au pair handbook ... because I read about it on here! I try to include as much as I can in it, and send it over before arrival so that the prospective au pair can read it carefully, look up any bits that aren't clear, and generally understand as much as they can before they arrive. It includes house rules for the children, a typical week, places to go, contact phone numbers, emergency details, and some ground rules for our au pair (no overnight guests without prior permission, free to use landline for UK calls, free to use wifi and Skype as long as not for anything irresponsible).
I then do a separate welcome pack when they arrive, and put this in their room. But this is more like pictures from the children, a magazine, chocolate, shampoo, etc. I have also included a London guide book, and a map of our immediate area.
Does that help?

Eh? Where did my post go? have i posted in chicken keepers?

Wondering - I'll happily pm my bible to you, our au pair has a separate flat and drives so some of my bible may not apply to you/and your au pair. need to go off to bed as our new au pair arrives tomorrow, collecting early from Heathrow - pls wish me luck

Sounds like a great idea

That's fab thank you! I wondered if it might come across as really controlling, but somewhere to lay out basic ground rules would be helpful too (like the ones you suggested as some things just don't occur to them sometimes!) as it just covers it without you sitting down and going through it all; that would look really imposing and off putting.

A welcome pack (choc etc) is nice too, it would be good to get DS (4.5) in on it too.

Karole good luck with your new AP tomorrow; I live in the London area myself; are you close or do you have a bit of a trip? That first car ride home can be a little awkward sometimes! A copy of your handbook would be fab, thank you!

Karoleann good luck. You're an au pair host pro so hopefully it will all go swimmingly.

Good Luck Karoleann!
I have a folder which lives in the Ap room. The aps all add to it and write in tips. It has maps, london guide, train timetable, themepark guides etc.
i also buy a cheap dressing gown from Tescos for the room as most girls havent brought one and dont realize how cold UK houses are.

I am currently searching for an ap, the welcome pack sounds like a wonderful idea!
karoleann would you be ok with sending me your bible also please?

Sorry, manic week not been on much - new au pair seems lovely. Amazing with the children, they took to her straight away, but she's going to need a bit more instruction with the housework bit I think.

Happy to PM stuff - but I don't seem to have any messages in my in box - please PM (private message )me and I'll happily send.