Family FAQ'S

What are some expectations i should have of my Nanny/Au Pair?

Experience has shown that it often better of ask the Nanny or the Au Pair some of these questions during the

interview, rather then finding out at a later date that your views on important matters differ. In fact, don’t be

afraid to ask the applicant exactly how he / she sees the position in terms of the following:

* Are you confident driving the children?
* Are you comfortable preparing and / or eating meals with the family?
* Are you happy having sole charge of the children?
* Are you happy to work with the mother being around the house?
* Are you happy to work overtime?
* Are you prepared to assist with household duties?
* Are you prepared to work weekends / nights if required?
* Do you expect your friends can come and visit?
* Do you expect to use the telephone / internet?
* Do you expect to watch much television or surf the web?
* How long can you commit to the position?


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What expectations should be discussed during the interview process?

* Discuss the children’s individual requirements
* Discuss discipline guidelines for your children
* Discuss the children’s preferred meals and meal times
* Discuss required household duties
* Discuss expected normal working hours
* Discuss hourly / weekly wage
* Discuss pay day (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) and payment terms
* Discuss whose car will be used if expected to drive the children
* Discuss public liability and motor vehicle insurance and excess

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What are some questions should I ask during the interview process?

* Can you tell me about some of the children you have looked after?
* Can you describe some activities you have organised for children?
* Do you have a current first aid certificate?
* Do you have a current CPR certificate?
* Do you have a current police check?Do you have a drivers license?
* Do you have any Nanny qualifications?
* Do you have your own reliable, safe motor vehicle?
* Have you ever had your license suspended?
* How do you discipline children?
* How long can you commit to this position?
* Do you have references from previous employers?
* Tell me why I can trust you with my children?
* What do you classify as the best experience you have ever had?
* What is the worst child related situation you have ever been in?
* How did you handle it?
* Why did you leave your last position?
* Why do you want to be a Nanny or Au Pair?



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What makes up a Au Pair's working day?

This is an example of what an average working day for an Au Pair would be:

* 7:00am – Wake children
* 7:10am - Get children breakfast – make school lunches
* 7:30am - Get children ready for school
* 7:45am – Drive children to school
* 8:15am until 2:45 is your time
* 2:45pm. Pick children up from school
* 3:30pm. Take to ballet / soccer
* 5:00pm. Bath and get them to help tidy rooms
* 5:30pm. Help children with homework / cook dinner
* 6:00pm. Serve dinner
* 6:30pm. Get kids to help tidy kitchen / finish homework
* 7:00pm. Play an educational game / watch TV
* 8:00pm. Put children to be to bed


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What is the most important thing to look for in a Nanny?

One of your applicants will be looking after your most precious possession, your children, and you have a right to request certain qualities in the candidate. The most important thing to remember when interviewing a Nanny or Au Pair is that you need to feel comfortable with this person AND feel comfortable leaving your children with this person.


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What are some optional requirements for Nannies and Au Pairs?

* Drivers License
* Police Check
* First Aid Certificate
* References
* Experience


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What are some of the personal requirements of an Au Pair or Nanny?

* Able to work unsupervised
* Able to work with children
* Enjoy working with children
* Flexibility
* Communication skills
* Mature
* Patient and kind
* Reliable
* Well organised
* Willing to accept responsibility




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What are some of the general duties and tasks performed by Nannies or Au Pairs?

* Apply first aid and take appropriate action in cases of accident or emergency
* Arrange and supervise outings
* Care for and maintain children's belongings, bedrooms and play areas
* Care for babies or young children by feeding, washing and dressing them
* Communicate with parents to ensure that their childcare preferences are maintained
* Feed and care for pets (if required)
* Perform light housekeeping duties such as dusting, vacuuming, laundry & meal preparation
* Plan and prepare nutritious snacks and meals for children and possibly the family
* Plan creative play and learning activities
* Safeguard children against dangers, such as pools, kitchen utensils, poisons and stairs
* Superve play activities and learning activities
* Take children to school, kindergarten and other activities
* Take sole charge of children for extended periods while parents are absent from home
* May also be required to work some evenings and on weekends


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What is a Nanny?

Nannies are more experienced than Au Pairs or Mother’s Helpers and have completed more comprehensive childcare courses, either in their home country or abroad. They have been looking after a range of children of different ages and possess the backing of certificates and verbal and written references. Nannies tend to look more exclusively after children and perform fewer household duties and babysitting tasks.

Accommodation
Nannies can live-in or -out. Usually Nannies from overseas prefer to live-in whereas local Nannies in most cases have their own transport and places to stay and therefore prefer to live-out.

Income for Nannies
According to their qualifications and experience Nannies earn more than Au Pairs or Mother's Helpers. Live-in Nannies usually expect to earn around $300 to $350 per week and living-out additional $100 per week for approximately 40 hours per week.

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What is a Mothers Helper, Au Pair+ or Junior Nanny?

Mothers’ Helpers, Junior Nannies or Au Pair+ are very similar to Au-Pairs, but work slightly longer hours in the home. They are considered as an extra pair of hands for the mother. They are usually older and more mature than Au Pairs and often between 19 and 24 years of age.

Accommodation
Some applicants like to live-in, others out of home. It really depends on the individual circumstances.

Income for Mother's Helpers, Au Pair+ or Junior Nannies
The average income for about 35 hours per week is between $200 and $250 per week.

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What is an Au Pair?

Au Pairs are young travelers usually between 18 and 22 years of age who have come from a foreign country to learn about your culture, language and way of life. During their stay Au Pairs should be considered as the eldest daughter of the family with similar responsibilities. These usually include looking after the younger children and helping around the home with light housework. In return for their participation in the family they receive free food and accommodation and pocket money. Au Pairs usually arrive on working holiday visas which allow them to stay and work between 6 and 12 months and sometimes even longer.

What experience do Au Pairs have?
Most Au Pairs going to another country have a background in childcare, pre-school teaching, nursing. Others might have just been looking after younger siblings or babysitting experience.

Accommodation
Au Pairs can live-in or out and most girls prefer to live-in as they often do not have their own permanent accommodation and enjoy the family environment. Receiving free board and accommodation of course affects the weekly wage structure, which is generally negotiated depending on duties to be performed and work experience. As a rule of thumb Au Pairs earn on average between $150,- and $200,- plus food and accommodation.
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Can I receive a childcare rebate or subsidy?

Most families employing a nanny or au-pair are entitled to some sort of rebate when using paid childcare for work-related reasons. The rebate percentage usually depends on the family’s taxable income. Families are best advised to check with their local government authorities regarding their individual rebate.



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Nanny FAQs


How do I obtain an Australian Police Check?

You can obtain a Federal or State Police Check yourself from the local police station for a small fee. The police check will reveal any convictions such as driving offences and theft. However, due to the Spent Convictions Scheme, most checks will not reveal any conviction older than ten years. Please refer to the sites below for more information on obtaining checks.

Victoria
The 'Consent to Check and Release National Police Record' application form is available from the Victoria Police Website at www.police.vic.gov.au.

Fill in the form, mail it with the appropriate payment to the Victorian Police, then wait 10 working days for them to send the certificate back to you. In Section 2 select “National Name Check”. In Section 3 select the “Employment” box. For additional information, see the Victoria Police Website.

Victoria will also be instituting a Working with Children Check. See www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren for more information

New South Wales
You can obtain a Police Check application from your local police station or the NSW police site. 'Standard Disclosure' is recommended. Purpose of the check is a 'Name and date of birth check'. You must take the completed form and 3 forms of ID to your local police station and pay the appropriate fee. See the NSW Police Web Site for more information. The Working With Children Check is for carers in child-related work. See www.kids.nsw.gov.au to find out more.

Queensland
You can apply at any police station in Queensland for a Criminal History Record Check (Qld only) or for a Police Certificate (Australia-wide) check. If you already have a “Working With Children Check - Blue Card” this is also suitable. Read more information about the checks at the Queensland Police site: www.police.qld.gov.au. For more information about a Blue Card, see www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/employment/index.html.

Western Australia
Western Australia also requires a Working with Children Check. This applies to any carers with a formal agreement like paid sitters working regularly. The form can be obtained from Australia Post Offices. See www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/default.htm for more information.

Tasmania
You can apply for a National Police Record Check for a fee or a Tasmanian Police Record Check for free. See more information under "Permits and Forms" at the Tasmania Police site: www.police.tas.gov.au
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Will I need a Police Check to work as a Nanny or Au Pair in Australia?

A police check or 'Working With Children Check' (WWCC) is often required by employers, parents or by legislation in each State. Please check the requirements in your state, as listed below.

In most states of Australia babysitters, au pairs, junior nannies, nannies, childcarers and anybody working for organisations like agencies, sports clubs or youth organisations,are required to obtain a WWCC including when working independently in private homes.

The WWCC is different to a police check and is a detailed search for child-related offences, including employment proceedings and Apprehended Violence Orders, (AVOs). The WWCC must be arranged by the employer or the organisation that sponsors you and you cannot apply for it yourself as an employee.
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How many hours will I work per week?

Working hours are always negotiated between family and the Au-Pair / Nanny and should be appropriate to the Au-Pair / Nanny's wage. Au-Pairs are in general required to work about 30 hours per week plus 2 evenings of baby-sitting. Nannies usually work around 45 hours per week.

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How do I find out about the family?

Like you, all families have to fill out application forms as well and we will show you their answers, letters and any other relevant information, so you can make an educated decision to accept this family or to wait for the next one. However, you'll find out most by talking with them during the interview process.

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What are the families like?

Families come from all walks of life. We do place applicants with very “high profile” families but also with just totally "normal" families. Most families have been recommended by other clients, or have been known to our offices for a long time. Lots of them have had au pairs or nannies living and working with them before. Our consultants know about the families, their habits, requirements, interests; therefore we are very successful in matching our candidates with their local families.

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How much can I earn?


Wages depend on experience, responsibilities, duties, working hours, living conditions and many other factors. In general it's a package deal negotiated with our help between you and your host family. As a rule of thumb you will earn (besides free food and accommodation) on average as an au pair $150.00 to $180.00 per week, as mother's help around $200.00 to $250.00 per week, as nanny $300.00 to $ 500.00 per week.
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Au Pair, Mother's Helper, Nanny... What's the difference?

Nanny: - For nanny positions you need to be qualified and have certificates, practical experience in looking after children of all ages and be able to take sole charge of children. You will be expected to work full time, 40 + hours per week, help a little in the household and mainly keep the children busy and amused according to their ages and capabilities. Most nannies are over the age of 25.

Mother's Helper: As a Mother's Help or Au Pair +, you present a second pair of hands around the house, helping with the daily chores and looking after the children sometimes in sole charge, but most times together with the mother. You'll work around 35h per week plus a couple of nights baby-sitting. Most mothers' helpers are over 20 years of age.

Au Pairs: As Au Pair you are considered to be the eldest daughter in the house. Helping the parents with light home duties and to care for the children for about 30h per week plus around 2 nights of baby-sitting will be expected from you. Most au pairs are between 18 and 22 years of age.
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