Being an au pair can be a rewarding cultural experience and a wonderful opportunity to learn English and improve your career prospects. However, it can be demanding, hard work and at times lonely.

Please remember that your host family are inviting you into their home, try to be happy, friendly and helpful towards them at all times.

Although they will be happy to spend time with you when you are not working for them, please understand that they will want some time on their own – especially in the evening when the partner who has to work in the day has come home from work.

You will need to work out the best way to be with your family and provide them with privacy if you feel that is required.

You should ensure that you help them on the agreed day, time and amount of hours and are enthusiastic and helpful during this time. If there is anything you do not understand you should ask until you are happy that you understand what is required.

Ask for a list of what is required. Ask how the host likes certain tasks to be done, because this may be very different to how you do it in your own country.

It is good to talk with the host family. This will help build up a strong relationship with them over time.

Do not use their telephone to make calls without their permission. If the family have a computer, ensure that you have their permission before you use it.

If in doubt about anything, always ask first.

Please remember that we are available at any time to give you advice and help you settle down and be happy.