Are you a UK or Irish Family looking for an Au Pair ?
If so would you like to know...

Every year hundreds of Au Pairs from all over French speaking Europe, Canada and French overseas departments are placed by Au Pairs Echange.

What information will we need to know about your family ?

To ensure the best match possible we need to know quite a bit about your family, for example where you live, how many are you, what would you like the Au Pair to do and what you can offer the Au Pair in exchange.

For example, do you live in the centre of a big city, in the suburbs or in the country?   Some Au Pairs specify a preference. Do you have pets? Do you smoke? Are you vegetarian etc ?

What would you like your Au Pair to do for you?  Principally Au Pairs are to assist with looking after  your children.  They do also help around the house but they are not a substitute for domestic servants.

Your Au Pair will expect a room of her (his) own, and time off to go to language school and socialise in a different culture.

Au Pairs are not trained nannies.  They should not be left in sole charge of children under three years old.

What is in it for the Au Pair ?

First and foremost Au Pairing is a cultural exchange.  It's a chance for young women, and sometimes men, to live for a while in a another country.

Almost all Au Pairs coming to the British Isles want to improve some English skills.   Many go to local colleges for a few hours a week for tuition and take some proficiency exams.  They will want you to speak to them in English.  In return they could teach you children some French.

Au Pairs are meant to be part of your family.  They will join you at meal times and for outings, some families take their Au Pairs on holiday with them.  However they need some private time like everyone.

Au Pairing is not a job, that's why the National Minimum Wage does not apply to them and you only pay them pocket money each week which is not taxed.

Successful Au Pair placements depend on a good understanding of what Au Pairs can be expected to do as part of your family.

Categories of Au Pairs

Au Pair placements generally fall into two categories, those for the long winter period which typically starts in September or October and finish in late spring.   Summer placements are for between two and four months between May and September.

There are three categories of Au Pairs:

All Au Pairs must have at least one completely free day and two free evenings per week.   Schedules should fit around your requirements and those of the Au Pair to attend language classes.

All Au Pairs receive weekly pocket money.  Currently we recommend:

Additional babysitting sessions should be paid for a t £5 - £6 an hour.  All Au Pairs should receive one week off with pocket money for each six months of a placement.

Demand for French speaking Au Pairs is higher than any others and there is a limited supply.  Early registration is strongly recommended.

How to register with us for free ?

You can call us, fax, e-mail or even write to us for an information and registration pack.

We will send you:

An introduction to Au Pairs Echange (leaflet)

An application form

Our terms and conditions.

All  you have to do is complete the registration form and send it back to us as soon as possible.  There is no registration fee.

Once you have registered we will start the search for your ideal Au Pair immediately.   For summer placements we may send you a summary list of candidates to choose from.   Otherwise we will match your requirements as closely as possible and send you details of a selected candidate.  If you like the candidate we will arrange for her or him to call you at home for a telephone interview.

You will only pay our fee when you have decided to offer a candidate a placement.   We will send you a placement agreement to sign at the same time.  Then we will send some more literature about settling in with your new Au Pair.

No registration fee.  Our current fee rates will be in the information pack.   Our terms include a replacement or refund policy.