F. A. Q. ABC will provide support and advice throughout the stay, both to the family and to the au pair or mother's help, should this be needed. Please contact us if you have any questions about hosting an au pair.

Q: What accommodation do I have to provide for the au pair?

A: An au pair has to have her own room (not shared with any children). Although it is not reasonable to make this a lockable area, others should not allowed in the au pair’s absence. An au pair’s room should be free of any family possessions (children clothing stored in the cupboards or draws) to allow complete privacy. The room should be reasonably sized and furnished and where possible, it should have a desk/small table with a chair, to allow the au pair to study in her free time. If there is no desk in the room, the au pair has to be allowed to use another table or desk in the house (dining room, family office etc.)

Q: What kind of housework can I ask the au pair to do?

Here is a list of housework duties accepted as light housework

• Washing dishes, including loading and unloading dishwasher
• Preparing simple meals for children
• Keeping kitchen tidy and clean, including sweeping and mopping floors
• Loading and unloading laundry into washing machine
• Ironing for children
• Putting washed clothes away
• Vacuuming
• Dusting
• Making and changing children’s beds
• Cleaning children’s bathroom
• Everything to do with keeping their own room/bathroom clean and tidy
• Light shopping (not the household shopping)
• Walking and feeding pets
• Emptying bins

Here is a list of duties considered unsuitable for an au pair

• Gardening
• Window cleaning
• Spring cleaning
• Cleaning the oven, other than simple wiping out
• Washing carpets
• Washing the car
• Weekly shopping
• Pet training
• Clearing up after untrained pets
• Making parents bed*
• Ironing for parents *
• Cleaning parents’ en-suite bathroom*
• Polishing silver and brassware*
• Cooking the family meal, unless the au pair enjoys cooking ans has chosen to do this for the family

*these duties can be included where there is less childcare and the children are out of the house for most of the day

Au pairs should not be required to do housework such as ironing, at the same time as looking after small children or toddlers

Q:  What if I need my au pair to drive the car

A: Most au pairs need a couple of driving lessons before they are considered competent to drive children.  It is the responsibility of the family to ensure that their au pair is capable and responsible to drive children in their care. Au pairs must not be required to pay the insurance excess, should there ne any accident. An au pair from the EU is able to drive indefinitely in the UK with their original driving licence. An au pair from outside the EU are limited to 12 months from their date of entry to the UK - after 12 months they will need to take the UK driving test (practical and theory) to allow them to continue driving in the UK.
 

Q: How many evening’s babysitting can I ask for each week?

A: Au pairs can do up to two baby-sittings in any one week. This can be one night at a week-end but should not be evey Saturday.  Reasonable notice should be given of babysitting commitments, so that the au pair can organise their own social life.

Q: Can I ask my au pair to work extra hours if there is an emergency?

A: Flexibility is a key feature of the relationship between an au pair and the host family.  Au pairs should normally have a weekly timetable and should not be asked to change at short notice, unless there is an emergency.  If this means that they are working additional hours, they should be paid extra or given time off in lieu.

Q:  Will my au pair need special medical and insurance cover?

A: Au Pairs from the European Economic Area can receive medical treatment in the UK under reciprocal Health Care Agreements.

Au Pairs from other countries should confirm with the embassy prior to their departure to the UK of the reciprocal Health Care Agreements available, but in any case will be entitled to receive emergency treatment from Family Practitioners or Hospitals in the UK but may be charged a fee in some situations.

We advise all au pairs to have adequate personal and medical insurance prior to their departure from their home country

Q: What if there is a problem between me and my au pair?

A: Should a problem occur we will provide full support and try to solve any issues. It is important to deal with problems immediately and not wait to see how things work out.  A small problem can normally be easily solved. We would encourage open discussion and feedback. Many problems are due to a misunderstanding (due to the language or cultural differences). Please read our Terms and Conditions about what happens if a problem cannot be resolved.