FAMILY QUESTIONS
1. What do I need to do to hire an Au Pair?
First of all you must contact INTERAUPAIR to receive all the information about the program and necessary documents.
2. How long can I host an Au Pair?
An Au Pair can stay from 1 month to one year, depending on the chosen Au Pair program. Summer Au Pairs can stay from 1 to 3 months, and school year Au Pairs for stays from 3 months.
3. Why does the agency request a Criminal Background report to the Au Pair?
INTERAUPAIR has a through screening and selection of the Au Pairs, to avoid possible bad experiences.
4. Will the childcare references be checked?
Yes, INTERAUPAIR will personally check the references provided by the Au Pairs.
5. Do Au Pairs have childcare experience?
Yes, one of the requirements of the Au Pairs is that they have previous childcare references, like babysitting, teaching, summer camps, etc, and they need to provide at least 2 childcare references.
6. When is the best time to request an Au Pair?
Au Pairs can be requested year-round, although the best time to request a Summer Au Pair is March/April, and for a school year Au Pair in June/July.
7. Why do I need to sign a contract?
The contract specifies the number of hours the Au Pair will work, weekly pay, arrival and departure date, etc. The contract is important to avoid misunderstandings and it also lists both parts obligations and rights.
8. How much will the agency cost?
INTERAUPAIR will charge a fee to realize the search and selection of the Au Pair to match both party’s needs and requirements. Our prices for families from September 2009 until August 2010 are:
For Au Pair stays up to 3 months (the minimum stay is 2-3 months):
- Native English speaking Au Pairs: 300€
- Not native English speaking Au Pairs: 250€
For Au Pair stays of more than 3 months
- Native English speaking Au Pairs: 350€
- Not native English speaking Au Pairs: 300€
To start the Au Pair search and selection, at the presentation of the family documents InterAupair will request 100€ from that fee as deposit.
9. Why is it better to contract an agency?
Hiring an agency can be the key of the program’s success, we have a thorough screening process and selection of the Au Pairs, matching the needs and requirements of the family with the Au Pair’s. Additionally, INTERAUPAIR requests some documents from the Au Pairs, such as references, criminal background check, etc, that will be checked by the agency to guarantee its authenticity.
10. In what language will the family have to speak with the Au Pair?
Usually, the Au Pair wants to learn the native language, thus is important to speak Spanish to her, as well as help her and correct her in order that she can learn the language as soon as possible.
However, this is not always so, and something different can be previously agreed.
11. In what language will the Au Pair speak with the children?
The Au Pair can speak to the children in her native language or in the language chosen by the family.
12. Does the Au Pair speak Spanish?
The Au Pair might have previous Spanish language, but not necessarily. If the Au Pair does not speak the local language, it is also possible to communicate in another language, like English.
It is necessary that the family be patient and tries to facilitate the learning process.
13. Will I have to provide free time in order that the Au Pair attends Spanish lessons?
Au Pairs who stay more than 3 months in our country have the right to attend language lessons. For shorter stays they will have to discuss it with the family first.
The Au Pair will have to pay for the language school, but the family will have to help her find a school and provide the necessary free time.
14. Who will pay the airfare and medical insurance?
The Au Pair will have to pay for the trip and medical insurance.
15. Will I have to pick the Au Pair up at the airport?
Yes, if the family cannot pick her up at the airport or arrange for a friend or family member to pick her up, the family will have to provide the exact address and pay for the taxi expenses.
16. How many free days will the Au Pair have?
The Au Pair must have at least one a half day off per week, one of which must be on the weekend. Usually it is from Friday evening to Sunday evening, or Saturday noon to Sunday evening.
17. How many hours per week do Au Pairs work?
It depends on the chosen Au Pair program. Demi-Au Pairs work 20 hours per week, Standard Au Pairs 30 hours and Au Pair Plus up to 40 hours per week.
18. Does the Au Pair have holidays?
Yes, every 6 months the Au Pair has one week paid vacation.
19. What is the Au Pair not supposed to do, unless previously agreed upon?
The Au Pair must not work more hours than the previously agreed, unless both parties agree, and the additional hours are paid or exchanged for free time.
The Au Pair must not do heavy cleaning tasks, and she must not be considered as a cleaning lady. The Au Pair should not do the parents laundry, gardening, clean windows, clean the parent’s bathrooms or wait the table.
20. Does the Au Pair need a room of her own?
Yes, this is one of the main requirements of the Au Pair. She must have a room for her exclusive use, and it is recommended that she has her privacy, and avoid that the children enter her room freely.
21. Can I ask the Au Pair to babysit?
Yes, the Au Pair must do up to two babysitting nights per week, she must be notified in advance.
22. Can I ask the Au Pair to drive?
If a family needs the Au Pair to drive, they need to specify it in the Application Form, and it is under their complete responsibility.
INTERAUPAIR is not responsible under any circumstances on this aspect.
All the vehicle related expenses like gasoline, insurance, repairs; etc will be paid by the family. The Au Pair will not pay for any damages caused to the vehicle. Please make sure that the Au Pair is conveniently covered in case of an accident.
La familia podrá considerar la posibilidad de permitirle a su Au Pair utilizar el vehículo para su uso personal. En este caso la Au Pair deberá pagar la parte de gasolina que le corresponda.
The family can consider allowing the Au Pair to use the vehicle for her personal use. In this case, the Au Pair must pay the corresponding gasoline expenses.
Au Pairs belonging to a UE can drive in Spain with the driving license of their country.
Non UE members can drive in a UE country during a year with the driving license of their country, although it is recommended that they request an International Driving License in the country of origin.
23. Can I ask the Au Pair to work overtime in case of an emergency?
Yes, if it is an emergency and the Au Pairs agrees, but in exchange of a monetary compensation or provide additional free time.
24. When is the best time to specify the tasks expected from her?
The sooner you explain the family’s expectation the better. We recommend that on the first day one of the family members takes the time to show her the house, explains the family’s habits, as well as a detailed list of her obligations and schedule.
25. What if I do not like the assigned Au Pair?
It is advisable to wait for the adaptation period, and if any problem arises, it is necessary to speak with the Au Pair and try to solve it. If this cannot be solved, and there is a real reason for a complaint or a breach of the contract, INTERAUPAIR will proceed to find a substitute in a reasonable period of time.
Under no circumstances can the family throw the Au Pair out of the house without previous notice.
After three months, Interaupair will not change the Au Pair. If the family wishes to change the Au Pair, the family will have to pay the agency's honoraries again.