INFORMATION GUIDE

The term Au Pair is not translated in any language and is used to describe an exchange concept. The term can apply equally to both young men and women.

The Au Pair concept was born in 19th century Europe. It initially allowed young upper class men and women to improve their foreign language skills, discover another country and its customs while staying with a family of the same social standing.

As a form of exchange of services, the Au Pair would take care of the host family's young children in exchange for food and lodging with the family.

Since the end of the Second World War, the Au Pair concept has become more democratic and now includes young people from all kinds of social backgrounds interested in its possibilities for exchange.

Today, the concept is more a response to the economical and social needs of the host family in helping them to balance childcare with work and vacation. It allows people who accept the concept to experience linguistic, cultural, or social immersion while traveling and staying abroad at a much lower cost.

Although these days, the host family is required to provide a minimum of weekly spending money to the Au Pair and weekly days off in exchange for their work, the philosophy of the Au Pair concept is never an employer to employee relationship.

BE AN AU PAIR

If you like to take care of young children and want to offer your services to a family with the following advantages:

BE A HOST FAMILY

If you want to host someone in your family who will take care of your young children in exchange for the following:

Depending on the destination, some additional advantages may be offered (insurance, transportation, language courses) Consult the section for all applicable criteria to be or host an Au Pair in the country of your choice.

Social and educational: The ideal program for exchanging and improving language skills, discovering another culture, and making new friends in a safe and trusting environment.

Note: The Au Pair concept can also apply for families who need someone to accompany an elderly family member, do general maintenance and gardening, or help with light work around the house. It must always be a cultural exchange in a host family context.

It is the host family's responsibility to meet the Au Pair when he or she arrives at the closest international airport, train or bus station.

If it is not possible for the host family to meet the Au Pair, taxi charges to the family home will be at their expense. Au Pairs cannot be expected to transport their luggage by public transit.

For the Au Pair, make sure you know who will be coming to meet you before you leave, including their name, title, photo if possible, which must be sent to you beforehand. A sign with your first and last name will avoid any risk of confusion when you arrive.

Please provide your host family with your precise itinerary for your entire trip (name of airline, flight number, departure time, arrival time, and any transfers)

Remember to keep the contact information for your host family on you so that you can reach them at any time during the trip to notify them of a change or delay in your arrival time.

Security note: If the person who is supposed to meet you when you arrive is not the agreed upon person, demand to speak to your host family to confirm the change.

For the family, make sure to tell the Au Pair everything possible about the person who will be coming to meet them (first and last name, title and photo if possible)

A sign with the first and last name of the Au Pair will avoid any potential confusion when he or she arrives.

Obtain the complete travel itinerary and provide contact information where you can be contacted in any circumstances if your Au Pair needs to contact you for a change to his or her travel plans.

If it is not possible for you to meet the Au Pair, taxi charges to the family home will be at their expense. Au Pairs cannot be expected to transport their luggage by public transit.

For the placement, it is essential to have a phone conversation between the Au Pair and the host family. Exchanging contact information must be confidential and secure before any placement can be accepted and confirmed.

Obtaining or sending contact information is only done after one or more satisfactory exchanges to determine that the Au Pair placement is doable for both the Au Pair and the host family.

Remember to take the time difference into account if applicable.

The telephone interview should be enthusiastic and allow you to confirm the specifics of the placement. Preparing questions in advance will make this easier. It's important to be patient and listen well, especially when the exchange is taking place in a foreign language for the Au Pair or the host family.

If the program is available in your language, it is possible to use your computer to call someone for free with a microphone and headphones or speakers.

There are numerous telephone communication programs available for free on the Internet, including Skype, which can be downloaded by typing "Skype" in a search engine like Google, Yahoo etc.

For Au Pair telephone calls during a stay, it is important to minimize long distance or local phone charges when communicating with your family or friends.

You should agree on rules governing phone use with your host family. Au Pairs cannot demand to use it, and the host family may require that they use phone cards or have their own phone line or cellular.

For the Au Pair, ask your doctor to complete and sign a medical certificate stating that you are in good physical and mental health. Send a copy of this document to potential host families by e-mail, fax, or mail upon request.

For the family, it is important to ensure that your Au Pair is in good physical and mental health to guarantee that he or she will be able to stay with you for the duration of their planned placement.

Require that your Au Pair provide you with a certificate or other document signed and certified by a doctor whose contact information can be verified and ask that the document be sent to you by e-mail, fax, or regular mail before accepting a placement.

RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS
Depending on the country, some vaccinations may be required. Many countries have such restrictions.

For the Au Pair, contact the embassy or consulate of your chosen country for information on required vaccinations.

For the family, make sure that your Au Pair has all the necessary vaccinations to stay in your country.

For the Au Pair: ask your local police department or other legal authority in your country to provide you with a certificate or other document stating that you do not have a criminal record. Send a copy of this document to future host families by fax, e-mail or mail if they ask you to do so.

For the family: it is important to ensure that your Au Pair is honest and has a clean criminal record. This will provide you with peace of mind when welcoming the Au Pair into your home and family for the length of the placement.

Require a certificate or other document from the Au Pair issued by a police department or other legal authority that can be verified and ask that the document be sent to you by fax, e-mail or regular mail before agreeing to a placement.

For the Au Pair, you have to make sure that your luggage is prepared along with your personal effects for the length of your stay. Ask your host family about the climate and the clothing you'll need.

For electrical devices, depending on the destination, voltage and outlets may be different and you may need an adapter or converter.

Bring gifts and souvenirs from your home country to give to your host family and their children when you arrive. This little touch is always appreciated.

Don't overpack and ask your transport company about the maximum weight and number of bags you can take. If you are over the limit, you may have to pay a surcharge when you leave.

In addition, some products may be prohibited depending on your destination. Check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country if necessary.

For the family, help your Au Pair to select personal effects adapted to your climate and the clothing they will need where you live.

Any reproduction, in full or in part, of texts contained on this site is forbidden without the expressed prior consent of the site's administrators. Use of these texts or copies thereof constitutes counterfeit and is punishable under applicable copyright legislation in all countries.

These general conditions form a legal agreement between the site user (you) and the Au Pair website.

By registering on the Au Pair website, the user agrees to be bound by all conditions and stipulations herein for as long as his profile remains on the website.

The conditions and stipulations herein may change at any time and will take effect automatically.

Users may, at any time, cancel their registration for the website for any reason.

The Au Pair website reserves the right to suspend the access of any user at any time without warning in the event that the user violates one or more of the clauses contained in the general conditions.

Au Pair website services are intended for persons wanting to perform an Au Pair placement in a host family or host an Au Pair with their family.

All users registered on the website must complete a personal profile, which will be accessible to all site users.

New users certify that all information contained in their profile is factual. The administrators of the Au Pair website are in no way liable for information transmitted via the site or information exchanged by users about other users, if applicable

It is prohibited to post defamatory, obscene, offensive, violent or racist messages or illegal material which would violate intellectual property on the Au Pair website, subject to prosecution. Users who do not respect the usual rules of conduct or are in any way disrespectful towards other users may be expelled from the Au Pair website without prior warning or reimbursement.

The administrators of the Au Pair website do not check the authenticity of information contained in profiles. Users are responsible for ensuring the truthfulness of any information contained on a profile by contacting the party in question directly.

Users are fully liable for any interactions between themselves and other users or services offered on the Au Pair website.

The administrators of the Au Pair website cannot be held responsible for loss of site functionality for any reason whatsoever (misunderstanding, faulty Internet connection, incompatible modem, broken cable, improper configuration, incorrect browser, etc.).

It is strictly prohibited to send information or advertisements that could be construed as competing with a service or services offered on the Au Pair website.

Users acknowledge that full or partial reimbursement of membership fees is not possible once they have registered on the Au Pair website.

This agreement constitutes a legal agreement between the site user (you) and the Au Pair website.

Whether you're leaving home for the first time or are a seasoned road warrior, going abroad can be disorienting. Families are from affluent backgrounds and their culture and lifestyle may be different from what you are used to. Try to be tolerant and generous to discover your hosts' world with curiosity and a bit of humour.

It will certainly take some time to successfully develop a sense of trust between you and your host family. Make an effort from the start to feel at ease, although this doesn't mean you should "make yourself at home." Be diplomatic, humble and modest in your dealings with your family.

Don't be aggressive in demanding changes!

They'll be more willing to listen to you if you are yourself open and understanding. It is not appropriate to "tell it like it is" and make them uncomfortable and this will probably have the opposite effect to what you wanted.

When you arrive at your host family's home, learn the rules, check their expectations about household chores and if you can bring friends into your room, etc. Don't get into the habit of going out late if you know you'll be working early the next morning. Even if you are used to being completely free, you are the responsibility of your host family, who may ask to know where you're going for security reasons.

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
Although children are sometimes spoiled, you must respect how their parents have chosen to raise them. However, when you are alone with them, you will need to set limits, which may create tension. Try to talk this over with the parents.

Never leave the children alone!

DAY TO DAY CONCERNS
Adapting to a new way of life can result in changes in your body (tiredness, irregular menstruation, weight change, etc.) Taking care of yourself is important, as is making sure your room is neat and tidy.Stress is something almost everyone experiences from time to time. Although it's normal to live with stress up to a certain point, it can become a problem if it is too much or you don't know how to manage it. At the start of your stay in the country, there will probably be some stress.Take the time to relax and put things in perspective. During your free time, do things you enjoy and try something new while trying to establish a routine. A good sense of humour is a definite asset for managing stress and learning to work with people from another language and culture.

INFORMATION TO REMEMBER
It is higly recommended to note the following information and leave a copy of these documents with a friend or relative who can be easily reached:

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
Ask your family about the procedure for opening a bank account if you're planning to deposit your spending money. Depending on your Au Pair destination, local banking services may require you to present your passport or another form of identification and a bank statement containing your account number and your home bank's contact information.

LOSS OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS
If your passport or other important object is lost, you must inform the closest police station to obtain an official document proving you have made a report. This procedure is important to obtain a new valid document and have your items refunded or replaced by your insurance company.

It is strongly recommended to draft a written agreement between the Au Pair and the host family specifying the conditions of the placement, the dates of the stay, descriptions of tasks, daily or weekly schedule, lodging conditions, remuneration, and, if applicable, the benefits for which the family is responsible (insurance, partial or full reimbursement of transportation costs, language courses, additional spending money, etc.)

Drawing up a contract creates security since it provides a guarantee and that both the Au Pair and the host family understand the conditions of the placement.

In general, the contract cannot fully bind the parties since, throughout the Au Pair placement, some modifications may be made in terms of schedules, tasks, etc.

In general, the contract cannot fully bind the parties since, throughout the Au Pair placement, some modifications may be made in terms of schedules, tasks, etc an anticipated return, failure to respect tasks to be accomplished, homesickness or any other personal reason leading the two parties to terminate the contract.

If necessary, in the event of an Au Pair placement being cancelled, local authorities may have to be informed to legalize this new situation: refer to the "Relocation - Cancellation of a placement" section for more information.

Attention: No contract can modify the standards, criteria, and applicable regulations for an Au Pair placement in the host country. Therefore, neither the Au Pair nor the host family can violate these regulations without running the risk of legal action from local authorities should a complaint be submitted to them.

A currency converter is a tool that allows you to determine the currency conversion rate from one currency to another.

Internet site to convert currency: www.convertworld.com/en

You can also perform an Internet search using a search engine like Google, Yahoo, etc. and entering key words such as: convert currency.

Fees incurred from language courses are the responsibility of the Au Pair except if legislation and Au Pair placement standards in the chosen country require that costs be assumed by the host family. This is the case in the United States where a lump sum is paid by the host family as well as certain European countries.

It is essential for both the Au Pair and the host family to learn about the relevant administrative requirements for their country from the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Even if the host family is not required to allow the Au Pair to take a language course, if the Au Pair is above all interested in such an opportunity, it is necessary for the Au Pair and the host family to attempt to arrive at a mutually agreeable arrangement.

In fact, depending on the Au Pair's schedule, it may not always be possible to coordinate free time with when courses are offered. It is also important to remember that it is the Au Pair's responsibility to adapt to the host family's needs and not the opposite.

Both the Au Pair and the host family should remember to discuss this question while exchanging e-mails before confirming the placement.

Private room:

Au Pairs must be provided with a provide bedroom so that they can be alone in their free time and relax.

The room must be clean, have at least one window and a desk, chair, dresser, closet, wardrobe or other place to store the Au Pair's personal effects.

The room may contain a television, stereo, or other recreational or relaxation equipment although this is not mandatory.

Sheets, pillowcases and blankets must also be provided and changed as needed by the family.

Bathroom:

Au Pairs must have access to a bathroom with a sink, bathtub or shower and a toilet. This may be a shared bathroom with other family members depending on availability. Towels and washcloths must also be provided by the host family and changed as needed.

Meals:

Au Pairs are entitled to a minimum of 3 meals a day, including a breakfast, lunch and supper according to local cultural standards for the destination. Food must be healthy and of good quality.

The Au Pair must inform the host family of any food restrictions before accepting a placement to ensure they are placed appropriately and that the necessary arrangements can be respected.

In general, the Au Pair must adapt to the family's eating habits and customs, not the opposite.

The host family can place restrictions on the use of certain rooms in the home and/or access to certain appliances such as the computer, television, etc. These rules must however be clearly defined in advance so that they are understood and accepted by the Au Pair.

To be able to write and send personalized messages freely, you must be a Privilege Member.

As soon as you send or receive your first message, it is important to appear serious and trustworthy and know how to present yourself.

Having a catchy message will help make communication more efficient until you exchange contact information such as addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.

After selecting a profile from the list, click on his/her email and type your message. Here are some suggestions.

For the Au Pair, please write to the host family in one of the languages listed on their profile.

For the host family, in general, write in the language of your country, except if you speak another language that will make communication with the Au Pair easier based on the information on his or her profile.

When an Au Pair arrives at a host family's place in a new country, he/she needs time to adapt, a good sense of observation and communication in order to integrate quickly.

For the Au Pair, it is normal to be homesick when you're leaving your home, family and friends for the first time and going to an unknown place.

It is essential to participate in the host family's life and share their activities, go on outings with them, and be interested in who they are and their customs.

It is also important not to get into a habit of shutting yourself off in your room or spending all your free time in front of a computer.

To avoid getting homesick, it is important to make new friends as quickly as possible.

When you arrive, ask your host family if they can help you meet other people nearby, for example other Au Pairs who will understand your feelings of isolation.

This way, you can meet new people and do new fun things safely. This will also allow you to exchange your impressions and opinions and discover their culture and traditions along with those of your host country. Being curious and open-minded will also help you to adapt.

For the family, it us important to involve your Au Pair in your family life and let them share in your fun (outings, sports, travel) so that he/she feels comfortable with you and enjoys their new life just as it is essential to encourage him/her in their activities and their work with your children.

Your Au Pair has to feel accepted and useful to be able to fully become a part of this new life.

A passport is a document issued by the administration of a country to its nationals certifying their identity and allowing them to travel abroad.

For the Au Pair, if you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible.

If your passport expires within six (6) months after your scheduled return date, it is highly recommended that you obtain a new passport. This condition may be mandatory to obtain an Au Pair visa or a work permit depending on your choice of destination and length of stay.

A passport application is personal and cannot be completed by a third party, including agencies. This is to ensure that your document is in fact authentic.

You can get the necessary form(s) to apply for a passport from your country's passport office or other administrative body. Receiving your passport can take anywhere from 15 days to a few months depending on the conditions required in your country.

Security tip: Your passport is a personal and confidential piece of identification. You should never loan or give your passport to your host family or any other person, even for security reasons. Your passport can be requested to verify your identity by appropriate authorities like police or customs officers or a representative of a legal administrative authority.

For the family, check if the Au Pair requires a passport to travel to your country.

To drive safely in another country, it is important to know the country's relevant legislation:

For the Au Pair, it's important to be comfortable before agreeing to drive for your host family. Don't overestimate your abilities! Transporting children in an environment that is different from what you're used to has its own risks!

Evaluate your abilities and be sincere about your driving abilities! For example, driving in some countries is on the opposite side to what you're used to which requires some adjustment. The same applies for driving a vehicle with a manual transmission if you're used to an automatic.

For longer stays in some countries, you may be asked to pass an exam or get a new driver's license. Ask your future host family or the embassy of your host country for more information.

When you arrive with your host family, test your driving with a member of your host family. Make sure that you understand road signage and have developed a good sense of direction.

Make sure that you are insured with your host family in case of an accident or legal action.

If your family agrees to loan you a vehicle for your personal use, remember that it is a favour and not a right. Ask if you are responsible for buying your own gas.

For the family, it is essential to specify if your Au Pair needs a driver's license to meet your family's needs or for personal outings (courses, recreation, free time, etc.) depending on where you live and the availability of public transit.

If your Au Pair needs to drive, contact your insurer to find out about adding an additional person to your insurance policy to make sure they are covered.

It is your responsibility if you want your Au Pair to drive to find out about his or her driving experience.

Ask about administrative obligations for validating your Au Pair's driver's license when he or she arrives with your family.

If you lend your vehicle to your Au Pair, define clearly what costs they are responsible for ahead of time.

When you register as an Au Pair or host family, you can post a picture on your profile. This option is highly recommended in order to improve communication.

It is a good idea to have several digital photos uploaded to a computer that can be posted online and add a visual link to the exchange between the Au Pair and the host family.

Posting and exchanging photos allows you to:

Tips for choosing a photo: :
For the Au Pair, choose a recent photo with you in the centre. Be natural and smile to attract potential host families!

For the family, if possible, choose a natural-looking photo of your entire family. Try to find one where you look warm and inviting!

Having verifiable references allows the Au Pair or members of the host family to have independent information confirming the other's personality, environment, habits, abilities, etc.

This verification must always take place before a placement is confirmed and it is the responsibility of the Au Pair and the host family to request references that can be verified by phone, e-mail or mail.

Be sure to have full contact information and a signature (for letters) for each reference provided.

If you do not supply references, you may not be chosen.

For the Au Pair, you should generally provide at least two references, at least one of which is related to taking care of children, whether in a family, recreation centre, summer camp, school environment, etc.

The other reference can come from a neutral and impartial person such as a teacher, an employer or anyone who occupies an identifiable public function in the community who knows your personality and sense of responsibility.

For the family, one or several references can be from someone who has taken care of your children such as their teachers, the father or mother's employer or anyone who occupies an identifiable public function in the community who knows your family well.

Au Pair placements are a great way to reconcile work/vacations and childcare but also come with requirements that your family must respect.

Hosting an Au Pair will require a very open mind as well as flexibility and understanding from your entire family. This may present several challenges, such as understanding and accepting a person from a different culture or communicating in another language, etc.

As a host family, you must make sure that you project a good image of your country/region and culture.

As is the case for all work placements, there are certain rules and standards that must be respected, including all regulations that apply to the Au Pair program. You are responsible for ensuring the successful completion of your Au Pair placement.

You must respect all existing laws, standards and regulations that apply to an Au Pair placement in your country.

You must provide a private bedroom for your Au Pair, along with bedding and towels, as well as access to a bathroom and at least three quality, balanced meals a day.

You must pick up your Au Pair yourself or pay for taxi fare from the closest international airport or bus/train station to your home.

You must accept the Au Pair as an active member of your family (meals, social and cultural activities, etc.)

You must agree on the placement conditions with the Au Pair: dates of the stay, description of chores, daily and weekly schedules, lodging conditions, compensation and benefits for which your family is responsible, if applicable, (insurance, transportation costs, language courses, supplemental spending money, etc.)

You must pay your Au Pair the agreed upon amount of spending money each week on the agreed upon day for the number of hours worked.

You must assume all costs related to activities requiring the Au Pair's presence such as family meals at restaurants, outings, shows etc.

You must respect the scheduled days off each week and the applicable vacation period depending on the length of your Au Pair stay.

You must allow your Au Pair to determine how free time will be spent and allow him or her to take courses, if possible or required.

Neither you nor any member of your family may take part in any form of harassment or sexual assault.

You must understand that for liability and security reasons, your Au Pair's placement may be cancelled in the event that you or your family fail to respect any of the above regulations, whether voluntarily or not.

The Au Pair program is an ideal way to improve a foreign language, experience a different culture, and travel. Nevertheless, it carries with it its own set of requirements to be respected. This is a work program and not a vacation or travel program.

A program like the one you are about to experience requires self-discipline, an open mind, adaptability, flexibility, understanding, and maturity. The program will have its challenges like understanding and accepting people from a different culture, learning to communicate in another language, etc. You will get out of this program what you put into it.

As an Au Pair, you are a young ambassador for your country and culture. Be sure to project a good image throughout your stay.

Like in any work placement, certain rules, norms, and standards must be respected. It is your responsibility to ensure you complete your placement.

No one but you can be held responsible for a breach of your placement due to a failure to respect your family's rules or any other regulation. You will not be entitled to any assistance and you may be forced to return to your country before the end of your stay at your own expense.

The following rules have been established as a minimum standard for the Au Pair Program:

While taking care of your host family's children, you must be careful, conscientious, and involved.

You must be an active member of your host family (be present for meals, participate in social and cultural activities, etc.).

You must respect the authority, habits, and lifestyle of your host family.

You must respect the criteria mentioned on your registration form.

You must keep your room clean and contribute to the cleanliness of common spaces (bathrooms, living room, kitchen, etc.) with your host family.

Your free time activities are at your discretion as long as your behaviour does not harm your host family. However when taking care of children or staying at home, taking part in activities with your host family, you must behave in keeping with the behaviour and values of your host family.

You must respect your work schedule and your vacations and free time must be planned in advance and agreed to by your host family.

Members of your family/friends are not allowed to stay with or impose on your host family.

You must respect all laws and customs of the country.

You must not use or possess illegal drugs, abuse alcohol or prescription drugs, or smoke.

You must not take other employment, either full or part time.

You must not commit any form of sexual harassment or assault.

You must reimburse your host family for any additional expenses you have incurred (long distance, use of family cars, damage to property, etc.) You are not allowed to borrow money from your host family.

For reasons of responsibility and security, you can also be removed from your placement due to voluntary or involuntary violation of the above regulations for participants and due to repeated problems with your host family.

The success of an Au Pair placement depends largely on how well the Au Pair integrates into the host family. It is important not to wait for small problems to grow.

In case of difficulty, it is important to discuss the problem openly and try to find an acceptable solution.

Relocation :
If events lead to an incompatible relationship between the Au Pair and a host family, it is possible to switch to another host family.

By using the database on the AU PAIR website, it is possible to quickly search for and find a new family in the same Au Pair destination and a new Au Pair for the original host family who can arrive at the same time as the former Au Pair leaves.

It is important when organizing new Au Pair placements that a cordial and respectful agreement remains in place between the host family and the Au Pair. The Au Pair will continue to fulfill his or her duties and be housed, fed, and paid.

If necessary, remember to make changes to relevant Au Pair documents with the local authorities.

Cancellation of a placement:
If no mutually acceptable solution can be found between the Au Pair and the host family, the placement must be prematurely ended with a minimum of two weeks notice. During this period, the Au Pair will continue to fulfill his or her duties and be housed, fed and paid.

If a placement is cancelled, return transportation is normally at the Au Pair's expense.

Light housework:
The Au Pair is often a family helper, in addition to taking care of children, some light housework may be required, for example:

For the family, it is important to mention these duties as part of daily or weekly work for the Au Pair. Take time to write down your needs and what is not essential. This way, you will let potential Au Pairs know about them and ensure that they are able to meet your needs.

For the Au Pair, it is essential to be familiar with the duties required by the family and be up front if you are not comfortable with some of them. Don't overestimate your abilities and be sincere about how well you can do or learn to do a duty.

Heavy housework:
Major housework must be clearly agreed upon by the Au Pair and the host family. The Au Pair concept is not about finding someone to perform all household duties in place of professionals.

Major housework must be made clear for the Au Pair by the host family before the former accepts a placement. Examples of major housework include:

For the family, it is important to mention work to be performed by the Au Pair if you consider it essential. This way, you can ensure that Au Pairs are aware of your expectations before accepting a placement with you.

For all destinations except the United States, the Au Pair is responsible for organizing and paying for transportation to the closest international airport, train station, or bus depot to your host family's residence.

For the United States, the agency organizing the Au Pair placement must reserve and pay for transportation from the Au Pair's home country to the host family and back.

For the Au Pair, since the host family is not required cover your transportation, plan a budget to cover it. Check the applicable fares for your destination, time of year and your planned length of stay.

You can check with your future host family if it is possible for them to pay for some or all of your transportation costs, but if they refuse, remember that they are in no way required to do so.

If your family agrees to pay for a portion of your travel costs, it is strongly suggested that they do so on a monthly basis to ensure you honour your commitment for the length of your stay.

Make sure you have an agreement in writing from your host family specifying clearly the conditions of your Au Pair stay (length, duties, weekly schedule, spending money, monthly reimbursement for transportation, etc.) before accepting a placement or buying your ticket.

Pour la famille, bien que vous n'ayez aucune obligation d'assumer les frais de transport de l'Au Pair, vous pouvez accepter de contribuer en partie ou en totalité au remboursement de ceux-ci. Cet avantage offert peut vous permettre d'intéresser des candidatures Au Pair répondant à des critères spécifiques de formations ou de compétences.

Some rules to follow:

Warning: Never pay for transportation before your Au Pair arrives, regardless of the Au Pair's reasons for doing so!