Why Should You Use An Au Pair Agency?
Family life is busy, especially if you are both working parents or trying to meet other commitments. Even without extra pressure, keeping up with childcare and housework is exhausting, and many parents choose to hire an au pair to help out around the house and look after the children so they can work, pursue other things outside the home or just have a break.
Hiring an au pair is a flexible answer to your childcare and housework problems. Au pairs live in as part of the family, and in return for their food and board they take on a certain number of hours of childcare and housework each week. Having an au pair means that your children can be looked after in their own home and with a higher level of one-on-one attention and care than they would have in other childcare settings.
In addition to childcare, au pairs also take on a share of the housework and depending on their individual skill set and the needs of your family, they can clean, do laundry or cook meals. There are rules governing how much and what an au pair can do, and if you are planning to hire one, it is important that you are aware of how the system works.
Why use an au pair agency?
There are a number of benefits to using an au pair agency to find a suitable candidate rather than looking for an au pair yourself. Read on for just a few of them.
Safety and screening
Au pairs are usually from a country overseas and working in Australia to learn about the culture and improve their English. As they are based overseas, it can be difficult to conduct the necessary background checks beforehand, unless you have the right connections.
At Select Au Pairs and Nannies, we have a network of partner agencies in a number of different countries that we have trusted over the years to provide us with suitable candidates for our families in Australia. Your home and children are precious, and it is important not to put them at risk by foregoing any part of the screening process.
Time
If you have ever tried to find a nanny or babysitter yourself, you will know how time consuming it can be. Chances are you will have to interview a lot of different candidates before finding someone who will fit in with your family. An au pair agency will take care of the pre-screening and interview process for you so you know that the candidates you meet are already suitable and have been thoroughly checked.
Support and advice
Opening up your home for someone else to live in can be daunting if it is your first time. At Select Au Pairs, we will help and support you every step of the way to help make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone.
From general advice about the process, to the legal implications of hiring an au pair, we can help alleviate any of your concerns and help you enjoy the benefits of having an extra pair of hands around the home.
Many of our families come back to us time and time again as they trust us to listen to their needs and find them a suitable match for their family. Using the services of an au pair agency can alleviate stress, save you time and provide you with the reassurance of knowing that the person you are letting into your home and family is suitable and a good match for you.
