Need to draw up a contract for my aupair...where do i start?!

[rinol]

My aupair has been with us 1 week and asked me if i had a contract for her to sign!i have yet to put one together! and just wondered what i need to include....

Au pairs don't really have contact as such. I usually put together a very detailed schedule of duties, including hours when AP is on duty and finishes childcare arrangement, and light house work. I have also included a seperate list of house rules, contact numbers and information about the children.

I would write out a job description and attach a set of house rules. But no need to sign it really.

hmm, if you can read german I can point you to an excellent one

hours, duties, benefits, eg own room, eat with family, language school, how far away shops/course are, paid holiday, health insurance, notice period.

I agree with keepingcalm that a schedule can be a very useful way to communicate exactly what your expectations are in terms of how much time you expect to be spent on childcare/housework and exactly what housework you expect them to do. Although I think a lot of "house rules" are obvious, if they are from a different culture, there is no harm in setting out some basic written rules to try to avoid misunderstandings. Translate into German if necessary!

Sorry - I meant translate into au pair's language if possible. Got mixed up with the reference to German.

thank you all for the info...