The initial settling-in period is a very important time both for the family and the au-pair. Welcome the au-pair into your family and treat her/him as part of the family to make the au-pair feel at home and comfortable on arrival.
To help settle in your aupair we run monthly induction and training courses. 9/10 families choose this option and its proved a huge success for most. Read more
In order to make a happy and safe environment for everyone in the family, be straightforward about the house rules and give clear instructions about what to do. Give the au-pair a little time to settle into his/her new way of life and for the family to get used to having a stranger in their home. A little patience and understanding is required by both the au-pair and the family.
It is a very good idea to put everything down in writing so that both parties are clear of the agreement. We will send you an agreement to use. Make sure that you outline the duties and house rules, such as use of telephone, internet, and be clear about friends staying with them during their stay.
The notice period if you wish to release your au-pair is 2 weeks unless otherwise agreed. Should you wish to let the au-pair go without any notice you must make sure the au-pair is safe and has somewhere to go plus pay her/him for 2 weeks.
Peek-a-boo offers you a comprehensive back-up service and ongoing support.
We are always available for help and advice. If you have any problems or questions please call us on 020 7600 9880 during the office hours (Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm). We also have an emergency helpline that operates 24 hours 7 days a week should things go wrong. This number should only be used for true emergencies that may occur at weekends, out of office hours or during holiday periods.
Studies
We specialize in Scandinavian and German au-pairs who will have a very good level of English before they arrive, still a lot of au-pairs wish to take English Classes to improve their language, many with the aim of taking the Cambridge First Certificate, Advanced or Proficiency exams. Many families like to make a small (or big) contribution towards the cost of classes (fees are normally payable at the beginning of each term). It is helpful if you can make enquiries at your local Tech/FE College/University before your au-pair arrives - this is particularly important if you live in or near London, where language classes tend to be oversubscribed. Some aupairs may wish to study something else, part time, evenings or weekends. We can help with this too
Holidays
There is an ongoing debate on what the aupair holiday entitlement is. Some claim that as an aupair is not an employee the statutory entitlement does not apply. Here is the old rule: For each 6 months stay with a family, the au-pair is entitled to 1 week paid holiday. Most our families give them more time off than this. If asked to go on a holiday with a family at any point of stay, and the au-pair refuses, family doesn't have to pay an au-pair for the time being away. If the au-pair goes with the family, the family has to pay.
If the family doesn't invite au-pair for a holiday, they have to pay her/him (regardless if au-pair stays in the house or not, i.e takes a holiday her/himself).
Until the government has decided what is correct and we have been advised, we suggest that you stick with the statutory amount that a "normal" employee is entitled to (just in case there was a dispute)
Au-pairs often appreciate the chance to return home for one week at Christmas or New Year.