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Take a look at the nearest knee grazed, bug torturing child that you can see. If you haven’t a complete distaste for the vile little creatures then you may be qualified to earn a few euros or dollars from them.
Children like having everything done for them, require constant attention and have the attention span of a flea. If you have some experience in keeping them safe, happy or occupied then throughout Europe and America you will find parents willing to entrust their offspring to you.
Au Pairs & Nannies
Taking on an au pair job is a good way to experience a foreign culture and learn a language. The job is seen as a cultural exchange rather than a good wage earner. An au pair in Europe can expect about £80 to £120 a week, living as a member of the family, depending on which country they work in.
While a money saver, some au pairs report that living with the family can make you available to child or parent virtually on a 24seven basis and that privacy can be difficult.
According to Debbie Bushell of the Solihull Au Pair & Nanny Agency, your duties will include “about five hours work a day, which will probably consist of looking after the children and some light housework (i.e. dusting, hoovering etc). There may also be some babysitting in the evenings. In return, you can expect one full day off plus study time and other time by arrangement.”
Pre-Brexit it was fairly easy for girls to find placements in Europe. For boys, attitudes are changing with many families preferring for many reasons to have a ‘bro pair’. Even so, Mary Poppins will still find it easier to be placed than hairy Poppins.
Au pairs are usually aged between 18 and 27, able to grasp the concept of a duster, and like children. Agencies may charge a fee once a family has been found for you but many do not, taking their fee from the family.
Brexit disadvantage
Since the UK chose to leave the EU, things have become decidedly different for Brits. Though there was some optimism little would change, once the transition period ended agencies have reported incoming business is virtually non existant. Other nationals can work as an au pair in the UK on the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa, but most choose to work in other sectors.
Going the other way UK au pairs are now treated no differently from any other ‘third country’ and, unless a replacement au pair scheme centred around cultural exchange is negotiated, placements won’t be as easy as before.
Most likely British au pairs working in Europe will do so for up to 90 days on the Schengen tourist visa. Au pairs have often been given money towards language lessons. For longer term work, enrol in a language school and apply for a student visa.
European au pairs
For European au pairs looking to be placed in other EU countries, nothing much has changed. The cultural element is still there and though families will still want their children to have the advantage of learning English, near native level Europeans and the Irish will take those jobs instead. Before the EU opened its membership to its eastern neighbours, an Irish girl working in Europe in childcare was the standard au pair cliche. The Irish editor of this website worked as one in Belgium and France.
Looking further away, the USA has a long standing au pair programme. Here, you should be an 18 to 26 year old, non-smoking driver with childcare experience to qualify for the Au Pair in America scheme. Childcare International is another agency that can arrange placements in America.
Earnings are around $200 per week, living with a family, return flight and insurance. In return, you put in 45 hours of childcare and light household duties.
Qualified nannies are significantly better paid and qualified. Educated Nannies list vacant positions in the USA. Short term positions are the speciality of Adventure Nannies. For travelling nanny vacancies globally try My Travelling Nanny. Longer term there’s Simply Private Staff.
Holiday nannies and au pairs
In the winter the people behind Kids in Greece find childcare staff for families in the Alps. For summer, the focus switches to Athens and resorts across the Greek Islands. Positions can also be found in the Portuguese Algarve.
Childcarers look after the children of summer holidaymakers in Corfu, Mykonos, Kefalonia, Crete, Santorini and Rhodes. Kids in Greece look for qualified nannies, nursery nurses or primary school teachers. Those with at least two years of experience with babies and children can also apply.
Applicants should be non-smoking fluent English speakers with a warm personality and a genuine interest in children, be well organised, reliable, flexible and easy going, and have first aid training. Multi lingual hospitality trained swimmers with a clean driving licence are particularly welcome to apply.
More information and details on how to apply can be had from Kids in Greece.
Tour Operators
An alternative route into nannydom is to apply to ski tour companies operating in the Alps. Many run crèche facilities and children’s clubs. Esprit Holidays require NNEB, BTEC or RGN qualified nannies to run in-chalet crèches and snowclubs in France and Switzerland. You will be looking after children aged four months to eight years old.
You should be over 20 to enjoy the perks they offer: board and accommodation, pocket money, lift pass, ski equipment, medical insurance and travel expenses. Apply in June or July. Summer work for nannies is also available; apply in February or March. They recruit along with other brands in their group via www.workaseason.com.
The winter season usually runs from December to April or May. Tour operators usually prefer you to be able to speak French, Italian or German, though it is not essential. Maturity, experience and flexibility are more valued qualities. Powder Byrne employ nannies working in France and Italy.
Powder Byrne usually also require childcare counsellors to handle the nippers at scallywags clubs during the summer season in the above countries plus Portugal. Positions for the summer season (April/May to September) are usually filled by February but it can be worth ringing ’round later to see if you can replace any of the estimated 50% who drop out. Mark Warner are also a good bet for employment in both summer and winter. TUI recruit both qualified and unqualified kids reps both locally and to work abroad.
Try Sunsail for nanny/nursing jobs on yachts in the eastern Med, Canvas Holidays, Club Med, and Eurocamp for a position as a children’s courier. A European language is usually essential.
The wages for these posts are generally grisly but compensated by a fun social life.
Camp
In America fobbing off children onto others is a well organised activity: seven million children go to summer camp each year.
You go about your work at camp surrounded by a big sky and beautiful countryside. The job itself involves instructing the children in activities such as archery, football, painting, scuba diving or pottery.
If you crave privacy don’t apply. Do apply if you are aged 18 or 19 ½ (depending on which organization you apply through) to 35, are fit, hardworking and believe that you can stand American children for long bouts at a time. In return, you can expect about $700 to £1000 pocket money for the season, return flight, board and accommodation and time to travel after camp. For brochures contact Camp Counselors USA, Camp America or BUNAC
More Links
Directory > Au Pairs & Nannies
Please note some wage rates and details may have changed since this article was last updated
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