The Au Pair Program has been developing in Europe and throughout the world for decades. The program promotes cultural awareness and foreign language exchange between young people of different countries. It offers young people of varying financial status and national origin the opportunity to travel abroad and to become familiar with the customs and society of the host country. Program participants benefit greatly from the accumulation of valuable cultural and social experiences and from the opportunity to learn and practice the local language.

Polycontact works with host agencies which have structured the Au Pair Program to minimize expenses for departure and for stay in the host country. Program participants receive accommodation with an approved family in the host country and are responsible for participating in daily family life and for taking care of the children. This is more than a typical housekeeping job. The family provides food, housing, and pocket money. Pocket money may cover the participant's expenses or allow the participant to accumulate savings. However, because room and board are paid for by the family, the additional payment the participant will receive is not comparable with a full salary.

Rights and Duties

There is no universal rule for the rights and duties of the participant. Participants have the right to be treated as an equal within the family, to enroll in foreign language courses, to receive pocket money, to enjoy vacations of reasonable duration, and to have medical insurance coverage. Duties of the participant differ according to the country, living standards, the family's status and habits, and the host’s expectations. Participants may take part in the Au Pair Program only after signing a contract which explicitly states all rights and duties for both parties. It is expected that the participant will behave properly at all times during the program.

Guarantees to the Applicant

Before embarking on the program, applicants will complete a psychological test which evaluates personal interests, emotions, and intellectual capacity. Potential host families are also interviewed. The goal of this process is to match the character, interests, and expectations of the two parties. This reduces the possibility that future problems or issues will arise. If differences of opinion do occur during the stay, host agency representatives are prepared to help mediate the issue. If the problem cannot be resolved, the host agency must find another family for the participant.

Payment

The amount of pocket money offered depends on a variety of factors, including the country, the region of the country, the local economy, the accomodation agency, and the host family's financial position. Typical payment within the European Union is 200-350 Euro over the duration of the program (usually 3 months). Additionally, the host may pay for language courses and for other expenses.

Prices vary according to country. Contact a Polycontact representative for the most current information.

The program fee includes:

1. Individual consultation and document processing
2. Locating an acceptable family and providing complete host family information to the applicant
3. Medical insurance coverage for the duration of stay
4. Phone interview preparation
5. Trip organization
6. Placement assistance

Benefits of the Au Pair Program

• Pocket money (this varies by country; Germany, for example, offers 120 Euro/month)
• Individual room
• Meals with the family
• Two free days each week
• Opportunities to travel with the family, visit cultural landmarks, etc.
• Host family may pay for language courses

Duties Required in the Au Pair Program

• Primary duties include child care assistance, housework (25-30 hours/wk), and babysitting two nights per week. This may entail waking up, dressing, and bathing the children, taking the children to school, playing with the children, assisting with homework, cleaning your own room and those of the children, and laundering and ironing clothes. Other duties of the participant include enrolling in a language course and assuming the cost of travel expenses, language course fees, and medical insurance.

Program requirements, such as age and language proficiency, vary by country.

Every country requires physical and psychological health. Applicants with a criminal record will not be considered.

The most essential requirement is a love for taking care of children since this will be your primary duty.

• 4 passport photos (with a smile!)
• Photos of you with children (playing, smiling). These photos should demonstrate your positive relationships with children.

The following must be translated into the language of the country and host family for which you are applying:

• Two letters of recommendation relating to your previous child care experience (these cannot be from relatives). Recommendations should describe the age and the sex of the children and the activities you did together.
• One performance evaluation from a employer which describes your personality and skills.
• One short autobiography.
• One letter to an imaginary family. Begin your letter with "Dear Family". Within the letter, introduce yourself and explain your motives for wanting to learn a foreign language and gain knowledge of the specific country. Explain your interest in child care and why you decided to pursue this opportunity.

One of each of the following:

• Certificate of health (you may use English and German forms from the Polycontact office)
• Certificate showing no previous criminal convictions (Bulgarian)
• Copy of your international identity card
• Copy of your driver's license (if you have one)

Visa assistance - If a special visa is required for the relevant country, the family will provide an invitation.