THE AU PAIR PROGRAMME
A whole year of cultural exchange, in your own home
An au pair is a young person aged 18 to 25 from abroad who lives with a host family for up to twelve months. She gets to know the Dutch language and culture and helps with the children and light household tasks, in exchange for room, board and pocket money.
Good to know
An au pair is not an employee and not a nanny. The pocket money is not a salary and there is no employer–employee relationship. You build a family bond with a young adult who has come to discover the Netherlands.
What does an au pair do?
An au pair helps with
- taking the children to and from school and activities;
- babysitting, during the day and in the evening;
- tidying up, cooking a few times a week, the children’s laundry and keeping shared spaces clean;
- games, crafts and helping with homework.
Not part of her tasks
- heavy cleaning, such as washing windows, cleaning the toilet or rooms she does not use;
- medical care or care duties: this is not permitted by law;
- the work of a professional tutor or childcare professional.
As parents, you remain ultimately responsible for the children.
The rules in brief
30 hours
a week, up to 8 hours a day
2 days
completely off each week
12 months
maximum length of stay
€ 340
pocket money per month
Private room
furnished and lockable
Insured
through au pair insurance
THE HEART OF THE PROGRAMME
What cultural exchange asks of you
The au pair lives with you and is registered at your address. It is precisely by sharing your family life that she gets to know the Netherlands. That means actively including her:
· eating together, celebrating birthdays and holidays such as Sinterklaas and King’s Day;
· encouraging her to learn Dutch and explore the country;
· giving her room for a life of her own with friends, sport and travel;
· clear agreements: an introductory talk, a weekly schedule and regular feedback moments.
And privacy? Au pairs build a life of their own and often go out in the evenings and at weekends. We have never seen a family stop because of privacy.
REQUIREMENTS
What requirements do you need to meet as a host family?
The IND sets requirements for host families. During the introduction call, and afterwards with a short quick scan, we check together whether you meet them.
Family: at least one parent and one child, legally residing in the Netherlands.
Income: sufficient, lasting and independent according to the IND. This means at least € 4,000 gross per month. The IND adjusts the amounts every six months.
Work: an employment contract for the entire period of the stay. Entrepreneurs: the business has existed for at least 1.5 years and makes sufficient profit.
Home: a private bedroom with a bed and a window.
Intention: you take part for the cultural exchange and follow the rules of the programme.
Which countries do the au pairs come from?
Op basis van onze positieve ervaringen en de doorgaans soepele immigratieprocedures raden wij deze landen aan. Au pairs uit de EU/EER hebben geen visum nodig; voor au pairs van daarbuiten regelen wij het visum en de verblijfsvergunning.
- Europe
- all EU/EEA countries (with a strong recommendation for Southern Europe), Switzerland and the United Kingdom
- Americas
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Canada and the United States
- Oceania
- Australia and New Zealand
- Africa
- South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe
- Asia
- China, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea
Are you aiming for a successful
au pair placement?
Do you want to discover how an au pair can enrich your family life? During a free and non-binding introduction call, we will tell you everything about the program and answer your questions. Easily schedule an appointment via our agenda and take the first step towards a fantastic au pair experience.
Let your family grow with the help of an au pair who perfectly fits your needs. Click the button now and take the first step towards more peace, enrichment, and harmony at home.