Whether it’s your first time being a host family or you have been one before, this blog will give you some helpful tips on how to be a good host family. During your interview process on finding the right Au pair, take your time and really to get to know them. Be very clear about (more…)
Your Legal Responsibilities when Hosting an Au Pair It’s been a while since we wrote a blog about the legal responsibilities of hosting an Au Pair. From time to time we see a wave of host families commenting on social media about the “pocket money” they pay their Au Pair or the Au Pair who (more…)
What you should know during your first week in Canada! Traveling to a new country is so exciting! Here are some things you should know when you arrive in Canada. Jet lag When traveling across a number of time zones, the body’s internal clock will be out of synchronization with the destination time. Your body’s (more…)
Mutual Respect Au Pair means “on par” or equal. The Au Pair is considered a member of the family during the temporary period of the Au Pair stay. It refers to a cultural exchange for a young person from a foreign country that lives with a Host family. It’s important the Host family care for their (more…)
Making friends in a small town can be a rewarding experience, as communities often have a strong sense of community. Here are some tips to help you make friends in a small town: Attend Local Events: Participate in community events, fairs, festivals, or any gatherings that the town organizes. Volunteer: Offer your time to local (more…)
What You Need to Know to Host an Au Pair in Canada Do you want to host an Au Pair in Canada? We are excited to work with you on this new child care adventure. The idea of hosting an Au Pair can be both exciting and scary at first. You will be welcoming an (more…)
Compensating Your Au Pair in Canada: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS POCKET MONEY! We’ve been hearing too frequently lately from “experienced” host families who have never issued a pay stub or remitted to Revenue Canada… not to mention the families who still think that compensating their beloved Au Pair with “pocket money” is fair and reasonable. Say what????? Families and Au (more…)
Some families who have hosted more than one Au Pair may be familiar with this story… you get plenty of applications and you think you’ve found “the one.” Your first few email conversations go extremely well and you are excited that you may have found the perfect applicant. Then she drops the bomb… she ______ (more…)
Are you in search of an Au Pair who can drive? Do you need your Au Pair to use your vehicle to shuttle kids from various activities, school and playdates? One of the benefits of an Au Pair over a live-in caregiver is that most Au Pairs have drivers licenses from their home countries. A (more…)
The first few weeks of a having a new Au Pair in your home is a major time of adjustment for everyone involved. Not only does the Au Pair have to settle into her new (and foreign!) surroundings whilst learning the ‘ropes’ of their new family, but also the host family is learning how to (more…)