Questions and Answers
SUMMARY
Can
we choose our au-pair or
nanny?
Is there an adequate supply of applicants?
Is it possible to
extend a girl's length of stay?
We are a single parent
family. Are we eligible for the
program?
We
have a child with special needs. Would we qualify for your program?
What do you mean by time off with pay for the
girl?
What are the usual lengths of stays that can be requested?
What are the different types of candidates you can supply?
Can
we ask for more than 10 hours child care per day?
Can
we interview or personally contact a candidate
before arrival?
We
are located in the US. Can we participate in your progam or do you only place in
the UK?
Can
we choose our au-pair or
nanny?
Yes. Some organizations select a candidate
for you. Totalnannies.com
enables you to make this important
decision for yourself.
Is there an adequate supply of applicants?
Prospective candidates are recruited all year round by our central
offices and our correspondents located worldwide so there is a continuous flow of applications. The availability
of applicants may vary during the year depending
on possible requirements from the host
family (driver's license,
experience, knowledge of a
particular language, mother tongue etc). We try however to satisfy
the host family's
placement dates as accurately as possible.
We are
concerned about the emotional impact on our children of
changing girls each year. Is it possible to
extend a girl's length of stay?
If a Host Family wishes to extend a girl's length of stay and the
girl wishes to do so also it is
possible to extend
the agreement. We have had some girls who have
stayed 2, 3 and even 4 years in the same family they were so happy there.
We are a single parent
family. Are we eligible for the
program?
Yes, assuming that you agree to the conditions of the program.
Single parents - whether female or male heads of households-may participate in the
program.
We
have a child with special needs. Would our family qualify for one
of your candidates?
You should indicate your family's needs in detail on your
application or in a separate letter. Include an outline
of specific responsibilities the child carer
would fulfill in this special situation. Placement for such situations
may be more
challenging as there are a limited number of applicants qualified to care
for children with special
needs. Please note however that sometimes we do get girls who have completed
training courses and are specialized in the
caring for children with special needs.
What do you mean by time off with pay for the
girl?
The au-pair or nanny is entitled to 4 weeks off with pay during a 12
month stay. Shorter stays are calculated
pro-rata. The host family pays the regular salary agreed at the beginning
of the placement for each of those weeks. The
girl can take these weeks at the end of the stay, or at a mutually
agreed time during the stay
(for instance two weeks at Christmas and another two weeks at another
convenient time during the year).
What are the usual lengths of stays that can be requested?
Length of stays are usually either 6 months or 1 year. Different
lengths can be arranged on request, however the
minimum stay is 6 months. We can also arrange shorter stays from minimum 1
month to maximum 4 months. Please refer to our Short Term Application Form for the costs of short
term placements.
What are the different types of candidates you can supply and
what difference is there in their conditions and salary?
We are able to offer 4 types of candidates as follows:
AU-PAIR:
An au-pair is usually a young student (about 20). The motivation for
going to a foreign country is usually to learn the language, therefore the possibility to attend language classes
should be given. An au-pair is required to work a maximum of 6 hours per
day for a maximum of 6 days a week. Duties include helping to look after the children and helping
with light housework. Au-pairs are also available to baby-sit, whilst the
children are asleep for a maximum of 4 evenings
per week. This evening babysitting is not considered work and is therefore
excluded from the 6 hours per day. The minimum salary is £100.00 per
week. An au-pair does not usually have any child care experience.
Currency Converter
MOTHER'S HELP:
A mother's help is usually a more mature candidate with more
experience in child care even though there are younger, less experienced
mother's helps. Duties include child care and heavier household chores. A
mother's help works for a maximum of 10 hours per
day for 5 1/2 days per week. They can also be expected to baby-sit in the
evening if the parents have to go out for children who are asleep for a
maximum of 5 nights per week. The salary ranges
from £200.00 per week to £300.00
per week depending on age and experience.
Currency Converter
NANNY:
A Nanny is a professional individual who does this job as a
profession. A nanny is very experienced, specialized in looking after children
aged 0-6. A nanny has a Child Care Diploma (NNEB or equivalent) and has
completed a child care course (usually lasting 2 years). As part of the
theoretical part of this course studies include child development, child
psychology, pediatrics, nutrition, how to prepare a balanced diet,
development through playing, toilet training etc. As part of the practical
part of the course candidates go and work in maternity and pediatric
wards of hospitals, day nurseries, primary schools, nursery schools,
schools for children with special needs and private families. A nanny works
for a maximum of 10 hours per day for 5 1/2 days per week. They can be
asked to get up at night for a new born baby but in that case more free time
must be given during the day to catch up. They can be asked to
baby-sit for the children in the evening whilst they are asleep for a
maximum of 5 evenings per week. The salary can
vary from a minimum of £300.00 per week+. Duties include everything to do with the children. Only housework
connected with the children.
Currency Converter
MATERNITY NURSE:
A Maternity Nurse is a qualified Nanny that takes care of a new
born baby for the first 3 months to get the baby into a routine. A
maternity nurse is a qualified Nanny with a Child Care Diploma as
described above and gives 24 hours child care.
Salary starts from £600.00+ per week.
Currency Converter
Please note that sometimes
we also receive applications from qualified teachers who come as tutors
and governesses for older children.
We sometimes need more than 10 hours child care per day or have to
go away for a few days on business trips. Can
our au-pair or nanny help us out?
Yes. As long as the candidate does not work more than 36 hours per week for an
au-pair or 55 hours per week for a mother's help
and nanny they can be asked to work longer hours in exceptional
circumstances as long as extra free
time is given later on to catch up.
We trust your screening capabilities but
we would feel more comfortable talking to candidates directly on the telephone, speaking to their
referees and interviewing them in person. Can this be arranged?
Yes. Although we carry out a very thorough screening process and
have many years experience in the selection of
candidates we do realize that some families might prefer to enter into
direct contact with candidates. Personal
interviews can be arranged in the candidate's or family's country (please
refer to
family's application form for
conditions that regulate direct contact with candidates). In this case the
host family is expected to pay for candidate's
travel expenses to the interview.
We are located in the US. Can we participate in your program or do you only
place in the UK?
Although
we are a British company we place in all countries worldwide. At the moment we
have got host families in a large selection of countries including Uk, Italy,
France, Spain and Switzerland and always welcome host families from new
countries.
