First Au Pair arrives in 3 weeks!

[ConstantlyCooking]

Thought I would start a thread so those of us new to the world of au pairs could worry/prepare together.

I bought new bedding yesterday. After lots of thought I went for neutral stone-cream type colours with patterns and white towels with appliqued leaves on one edge so she could identify them easily. I felt overwhelmed by choice as generally stocks of bedding and towels just grow gradually. Am now worried that have not got the right things and will head to Ikea tomorrow where I have discovered they do much cheaper quilt covers which are v nice.

Also WH Smiths have paperback English dictionaries for 89p, so I bought one to add to her welcome pack.

banking - hsbc required AP's passport and my utility bill and a letter from me to say that she is working as an au pair.

Its a basic account with a paying in book and ATM card.

Aha, more useful info
thanks new teacher

CC
When does your ap actually arrive? Are you very excited? I know its this week, but wasnt sure which day

She arrives tomorrow (Tuesday). I have made her bed, the DCs have made a card and I have welcome gifts - a dictionary, an A-Z, and a Boots set. The DCs are choosing a plant and some chocs for her tomorrow morning before we head off to the airport to collect her. I still haven't finished the manua, but thought I would work on it over the next few days once she is here and give it to her once she starts work "properly" when my course starts - until then it is a kind of induction period.
Am nervous and excited. It should be interesting and (if it works) could solve so many childcare issues. Fingers crossed.

Well, she has arrived - she came bearing chocs and posh biscuits so that was a good start. DCs have just taken her to the park while I get on with supper. She seems v nice so far and we recognised her at the airport!

Hi DTG - does your au pair arrive this week?
One tip - we opened a Barclays bank account for on friday - but they would not accept a letter from the bank in Germany (even on headed paper) - they needed the actual posted statement, however, they accepted a passport plus driving licence plus bill with my address on it. They do a special "young person's account" for those aged 19 and under which has a cheque book and debit card, but which is easier to open than a "normal account". English classes were filling up fast when we registered on Wednesday so do that ASAP with your AP. We have also sorted out a library card and driving lessons.
Things are going well so far both DCs really like her (even DS who is very fussy about babysitters normally). The longish settling in period is working well for me and I will feel happy to leave her charge when I start my course.
We have been watching TV/DVDs with the English subtitles on to make it easier for her to follow them and that has been working well. Keep me posted about your progress!

i found, well heard from people, that even shy children tend to accept a person who lives in the home much better than just an evening babysitters.
glad things are working out well.

Hey CC, sorry been off line.

So glad your AP has arrived ok and is doing well

Language classes are a MASSIVE problem as enrolement is this week and they start next week- but Pia doesnt arrive till Saturday.. Ho hum I have booked her an interview for Monday morning so I jsut have to hope she does ok and they can find her a space int eh class- dont think I can do more than that.

Thanks for the bank account info- very useful. I will email her that.

Hope it is still going ok?
I ahve made the bed and jsut have to paint 2 shelves and the room is FINISHED. Hurrah!!

Whats your news?

Hi DTG - not long for you know!
Here things are still going well. Ap is very friendly, both children still like her a lot. We are currently looking at gyms as she wants to join one (we are not paying). They are much cheaper in Germany and so the price was a bit of a shock to her!
Another useful thing is to give her a couple of letters from you stating that she is your au pair and is living with you. These have been useful for getting a library card etc.
fingers crossed for the 5th

Thanks CC
The bedroom is done and looks lovely, jsut washed and ironed the sheets and about to put them on the bed

I am so excited!!
Really glad yours is going well too- maybe we now need a 'new host families' thread?

Oh and thanks for the tip about the letter, I will do that for sure xx

all going well DTG?

Hey CC

Well I think it is going ok...

She arrived safely and hasnt had to do anything yet really- she came to a 4th birthday party with us today, but I let/ sent her off to go shopping for over 1 hour of it, and she played with Sam for about half an hour this morning and another half hour this afternnon. Otherwise she has helped clear and set table and clean up afterwards but nothing else, which I felt was ok as she doesnt officially work weekends

Tonight I printed off and gave her a very rough timetable for the week and she went a bit quiet then said she was going to her room to watch tv. I think she had forgotten she was going to have to work!!!

I havent given her the manual yet, cos we dont know whats happening with language school, so hopefully we will be sorted with that tomorrow
It all just feels very odd at the moment!!

How is it your end?

waves to DTG.
I read on another thread that things are not going so well - I hope it approves soon.Things are still going well here and the children like her. She looked after DD yesterday (she was off school with a virus) and as i have a day off college today, I have given her a day off the school run so she can go shopping. I think that I have been lucky - also after school DCs have homework so don't really need to be kept occupied. However, the couple of days before my course started I did stress (repeatedly) that work for everyone started on Monday.
Lots of positive thoughts and wishes

Thanks CC

I have twice said 'we need to have a chat' and 'Shall we talk in a few minutes' but then she went to her room and is talking to someone AGAIN FFS ...

So, time to pluck courage and go get her ...

Glad yours is going well :-)