Deby Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 Thought I would let you know of my recent experiences. We were looking for a french speaking au pair - to keep the children's language skills alive. Now this person did not have to be a french typically. The agencies I contacted in the UK (we are now based in the UK after having lived in France for 6 years) have all drawn a blank - the problem being french au pairs are difficult to place.... i.e. that is they only wish to work for 6 months and want all the holidays off especially the big summer one which is when we obviously need a little help. One agency told me they had stopped placing french au pairs completely because the french girls (or boys) thought they would only be doing a little bit of 'babysitting' from time to time. I just thought it was quite surprising really considering France has such high unemployment that there would be french youth clammering to get a job and learning some english. No!I would love to have given someone an opportunity to live in the UK, improve their language skills, bit of a new culture, widen their horizons in exchange for some help with the children and not skivvying I might add, before you all jump on me.I have been told that I would be better off finding a Romanian French speaking au pair.!!!Btw - I am amazed at how many french voices I am hearing in London - not just the young go-getters, but families who have re-located to UK - maybe the trend is reversing.I still miss France I might add.Deby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie15 Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 I had a French au-pair (OK,this is about 15 years ago) and she was a lovely girl but really hopeless!She too expected to do just a tiny bit of babysitting. I gave her my car and put fuel in it but she travelled miles, all on her own (for pleasure) and expected me to keep the tank permanently full.She ended up living with us and having 2 other jobs as well!!!!She really only viewed it as somewhere to live for free!! I had to get rid of her.[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 http://assoc.wanadoo.fr/marypoppins.aupair/ My friends daughter went to Wales and was an au pair via this organisation. It is based in the Isere, so you may have people who know of them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 A French girl we know came to the Uk as part of her course (she had to spend a year here). The first job was a disaster (mainly due to a rural location) and she was 'rescued' by mutual friends on Christmas Eve a few years ago, the next job was better and she got into the swing of the local social life, met a fella and got married ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardbk Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 There are quite formal employment laws concerning au pairs - if it is done legally. They should be registered for work and declared for social security etc. 30hours per week or 5 hours per day maximum, childminding and 'light' house work tasks only etc and they must be registered in a language classes.regsRichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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