has anyone done an au-pair year in America?????? If so,
could you either e-mail, or leave details about it. Thanks
very much
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HI! I do not know much about nannies other than to offer you
some suggestions...Get your contract in writing. Make sure
all of your duties are written down before you agree to
anything. If you are able, have a lawyer or respected
business person look over the agreement. Check with people
who have done this job to compare the pay rates for the
duties you are expected to do. You can always order a
newspaper from the area you will want to go to to see ads
with the prices this type of job pays. Makes sure to see if
your lodging is included, your food(how many meals a day),
and your pay on top of all this for babysitting..
also, do you have family car usage for your own time(do
you pay for gas and car insurance?)I do not mean to sound
too harsh, but hope that you will be protected. I have heard
stories from nannies who have been paid not-so-great wages
and since they live in the peoples' home, they are suddenly
expected to be on call to work 24 hours a day and do
cleaning chores, pet sitting..cooking etc... make sure you
have specific day(s) and hours off for your own time. There
might even be web sights pertaining to this industry or a
chat line. Please make sure there is some provision for you
to be able to break the contract and to be sent home or
transfered to another family if you are not comfortable with
the family or situation at the home. Also, there should
be some kind of pay if you have to leave the family
under bad situation so you are not left stranded with no
money. Just remember, you are providing a professional
service and need to know what your own guidlines are first
and then make sure the contract has all of your limits
wriiten in it so you are not taken advantage of and so you
can have a nice experience.One other thing I just thought of
is, it might be a good idea to make arrangements in case of
something getting broken in the home(vase, TV...) Usually,
if you work for an agency, this would be handled through
their insurance, but just make sure either way. Also, make
sure about income taxes in the US and a work permit!Good
luck! Darn, I keep thinking of things.. you also need to put
in there about the pay rate you will charge per hour of
babysitting or cleaning or cooking for any hours or days
over the usual amount. Keep in mind that in the US, good
nannies who are professional and caring and attentive
(usually)get paid very well, so do not sell yourself short!
I own a house cleaning business and the old saying is"you
get what you pay for!" So, if you are really good, people
will pay for it , but you need to also hold up your end of
the deal with high quality,educated, service. Take care!
Hi
I have been an au pair in 1994 for a year.
I have had a wonderful time.
But please be sure that you will go through an agency.
Because its right what the above lady told you.
Besure that everyting is arranged and that you have a
counceller who can help you if you need somebody.
I went with Au Pair in America and that is the biggest
organisation there is in the USA.
Just go for it. It will be the time of your life.
And another thing i hope you are older than 21 because here
in Europe we are used to get out when you are 16 years old.
But in the USA you have to be 21 years of age.
And when au pair friends of you are going and you cant join
them thats a problem.
But there is always a FI
Good luck and keep us in touch if you are going.
i did it for a year in boston, it was a lovely city and i made loads of lovely friends, but you have to be careful. their babies are not as strong as the british, i think it's something in their shitty milk or something. anyways, if you shake them too hard they actually die. i couldnt believe it, that little matthew bastard was crying as usual and like any normal british mum i just shook him furiously to get him to shut up. then they got pissed off at me cos he died. i have learned a lesson though, i will only drink british milk.