Hiring an au pair in Surrey is an excellent way to foster a cultural exchange in your family while ensuring a trustworthy professional cares for your children. Connected to the right candidate, families gain flexible and reliable support. Additionally, children benefit from exposure to new languages, ideas, culture and knowledge. This arrangement combines personal connection and practicality, creating a unique dynamic. But what exactly is an au pair; what are their duties and how can you arrange to hire one in Surrey?
An au pair is a young individual, often a student, usually from a foreign country, who provides childcare in exchange for accommodation and a small stipend. They are offered employment, and the opportunity to experience life in a new country, improving their language and communication skills.
As a cultural exchange member, au pairs in Surrey are expected to properly integrate in their employer's life, not just as an employee, but also as a respected member of the family. Unlike full-time nannies, au pairs' duties differ slightly. As per government guidelines, they cannot look after children under the age of 2 because they often lack the necessary childcare experience to be responsible for toddlers and babies. They cannot have sole charge of children, unless rare, exceptional circumstances occur - those should be agreed on beforehand.
Housekeeping duties should be considered a secondary focus. While an au pair's primary role remains childcare, they usually also have to complete light duties related to the children. These can be doing the children's laundry, keeping their bedrooms clean and tidy and maintaining play areas well-organised. A typical day may consist of tasks such as:
Au pairs in Surrey cannot exceed 30 hours per week. Although arrangements can vary and be extended depending on the country's regulations, it is widely recommended that au pairs in the UK do not exceed 30 hours. Flexibility is sought after for au pair positions - some families will request the candidate to work extra hours one week, and will provide a corresponding amount of time off in exchange. Moreover, au pairs may be required to do split shifts offering support to their family during busy mornings, afternoons and evenings.
Au pairs in Surrey are employed on full-time, live-in basis. Their family provides them with a separate bedroom within the family home, and access to a shared bathroom or an ensuite.
An au pair's duties can be quite broad but their key role is to take care of children: getting them ready for school, preparing meals, transporting them to and from activities and ensuring their overall development. Au pairs in Surrey are not intended to be a sole, long-term child carer or a replacement for a professional nanny, as they lack the experience and professional qualifications required for these specialist positions. Some of the key childcare responsibilities include:
Taking the initiative to hire an au pair on your own in Surrey may give you a wider range of applicants, but it can also lead to unnecessary frustration and disappointment. Sorting through a pool of unqualified candidates can be time-consuming and add unnecessary stress to an already demanding process. Working with an agency easily removes that burden and provides you with peace of mind. They handle all screening and interviewing processes, as well as thorough background checks. If you are looking for exceptional candidates, the best way to find someone suitable is to seek the help of experts. Little Ones London prioritises understanding your family's specific needs and requirements to perfectly match you with the most suitable candidates.
With over 15 years of experience in the childcare and domestic placement industry, Little Ones provides you with the most thoroughly vetted Au Pairs in Surrey. Each candidate goes through a thorough interview process as well as a detailed review of their previous childcare experience and skills assessments - a strict vetting procedure that has been carefully developed over the years.
We guarantee that all candidates have:
Little Ones ensures that your family's needs are at the forefront. Our experienced consultants also make sure that the candidates' skills and qualifications are suitable for the role they are applying for and align with the family's requirements and values. Moreover, they verbally verify previous employment references, confirming that any details provided are correct and genuine.
If you are looking for an Au Pair in Surrey, reach out to us, and we will be happy to find you a suitable candidate as quickly as you need. Call 0207 183 0309 or enquire here.