Hi Alexis

I'm a former au pair, funny enough working as an assistant now...
anyway.. I found my job on www.aupairworld.com, but I know you can look here, wrgfm.com etc.
It's a good security to go through an agency, so if it doesn't work out with a family, they'll help you find a new one. An agency also gets au pairs together, but I did that here on GoL! I wanted to go through an agency, but took a chance with a family I felt safe with! and lucky for me it worked out great and my job ended in June! Not everybody is as lucky as me, so it's very important to have good contact to the family.

When I look at your age and the fact you've been teaching, I would advise you to look into being a nanny. It's somewhat the same, except you earn more and sometimes you don't have to do as much cleaning etc.
Of course the family could have higher expectations, but the nannies I've met was on the same level as me... just earning more... :-S

Also I think it's very important to have a contract, so everybody knows exactly what is expected of them! Me and my 'family' got the contract from aupairworld.com and we just edited what we felt was needed. It's important to agree on salary and use of e.g. a car. I lived out on the countryside and was very much depending on having the car. So check out the transport possibilities in the area and discuss the options with the family.

But before you get into all this, you really have to consider if being a full time mom is something you are ready for... it's hard work, but you get a lot back of course! For me a year was enough, it's been hard and boring at times... but looking back I love the experience I got from it and not least the family!

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a GoL e-mail! :)













Any questions, feel free to send me an GoL e-mail.
DkXAuPair, Jul 26, 2007 @ 21:36

Hi Alexis!

I am currently working as a nanny/au pair with my 4th family...2 of whom were friends and the other 2 I was connected with through www.greataupair.com. This is an international website for families, aupairs and nannies and it has continue to improve since I first used it.
I was fortunate enough to have success both times with this website, though you do need to be careful no matter which route you decide to take. Usually the families are the paying members on the website which gives them access to your contact information and spares you the cost. The process typically begins with one expressing interest in a family, if they are interested in you as well then emails and phone calls will help give you both a better idea of what you are both looking for. If everyone is still interested in continuing the process, then comes time for a contract. Make sure you have a contract that CLEARLY states what is expected of you and what you are receiving in return. That way there is very little room for surprises and you have something signed by all parties in case you were run into any problems.
There are strict regulations for aupairs in Switzerland and this is to the aupairs benefit as if they were to have any problems, there is someone they can call/go to....however as already said, nannies make more money but also work more (aupairs are only to work 35hrs/wk).
This is a very demanding job and only recommended if you love kids!!!
Hope this information helps you out a bit more...
Feel free to ask me any questions you might have=)
cpott, Jul 26, 2007 @ 22:13

Take a look on these websites, just register for free and u can also place an advert on there yourself.
www.wrgfm.com
www.kiddieclub.ch
Also a good agency here : Nannies of Switzerland, i think they also have a website ?
uktheturtle, Jul 30, 2007 @ 15:08