Why join the Au Pair Program
An Au Pair is a young person who comes to live in a foreign country with a host family to learn the language and/or experience a different culture. The word Au Pair means equal. Au Pairs are not employees; they help a family with childcare and light housework. In return for their help Au Pairs receive full board and lodging, their own private room and a fixed amount of pocket money. Next to these conditions Au Pairs should be treated as part of their host family during their stay.
DO WE FIT THE PROGRAM
Due to our hectic lifestyle with both partners working full or part-time it is important to create peace and balance in our lives, for yourself and for your kids. Having survived a hard day of work, traffic jams and picking up the kids on time at the day care, most of us are bushed by the time we’ve fixed dinner. It’s doable, but luckily there are alternatives….The right Au Pair can eliminate moments of stress and help you make your rush hour into quality time. She really is an extra ´You´ at a time when you need one.
It is very important though to realize that the au pair needs attention and guidance, as you would give to any member of your family. As she needs to learn a different routine, has different cultural habits and speaks a different language, she, obviously needs time to adapt to your family and the Dutch habits. It is, after all, a cultural exchange program. With the right match, guidance and agreements this shouldn’t be a challenge, but actually an added value to the whole family.
BENEFITS
- Enriching the social experience for children. An au pair introduces a new world to your home
- An extra pair of hands during hectic times
- Allowing children to be home when parents are out
- Ease of finding balance between work and family needs
- An Affordable solution
An au pair is clearly beneficial for numerous reasons, such as introducing your kids to a different language and culture at an early age, reducing childcare expenses and avoiding waiting lists at day care centers. You and your partner need to decide what is best for your family, but once you’ve decided, we are here to guide you further through the process.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
• Aged between 18 and 31 years old
• Maximum stay of 1 year
• Maximum of 30 working hours per week
• Maximum of 8 working hours per day
• Maximum of 3 babysit nights a week
• Minimum of 2 days off a week
• Minimum of one full weekend off per month
• 2 weeks paid holiday per year
• 340 Euros pocket money per month (maximum legal limit)
• 10 euros monthly phone allowance
• Full Board and lodging
• An Au Pair insurance + basic health insurance
• A visa/ residence permit*
• A Dutch language course or other course to the maximum amount of 300 euros
* not for citizen of the EU
CONDITIONS HOST FAMILY
• The family should consist of minimally two persons with sufficient, independent and long term employment or equity. The income should be 150% of the gross minimum income (this amount is set every half year by the government).
• For single parents the conditions are adjusted
• The host family must be able to provide the au pair with a room and toiletry in their house/ on their address that has sufficient furniture.
CONDITIONS AU PAIR
• Legal valid passport
• Certified birth certificate
• Health certificate including a non-pregnant statement
• Clearance certificate/declaration of good behaviour
• Non marital/ no children statement or declaration*
*HBN keeps this condition, although legally the IND does not set this condition anymore