Myths about hiring an Au Pair in Canada

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Au Pairs are just glorified babysitters: Au Pairs aren’t fancy babysitters. They
are more like extended family members who do more than just watch the kids. They
pitch in with childcare, help around the house, and sometimes even assist with
educational activities. Many Au Pairs become part of the family and stay in touch
over the years!

Au Pairs are all young women: Although most Au Pairs are young women, the
program is open to men as well. The Au Pair demographic is becoming more
diverse, welcoming participants from different countries, backgrounds, and genders.

Au Pairs can be compensated with “pocket money”:
Canada does not have an official Au Pair program therefore all Au Pairs must be
paid at least minimum wage. Paying your Au Pair “pocket money” is in
contravention of your provincial/territorial Employment Act.

Au Pairs are only for wealthy families: Hosting an Au Pair does require some
financial investment, but it can be a budget-friendly childcare option compared to
alternatives like daycare or hiring a nanny, especially for families with several
children. Au Pairs must earn at least minimum wage in the province or territory
they work in.

Au Pairs are only for families who need full-time childcare: Au Pairs aren’t just
for families requiring full-time childcare. They can also work part-time, offering
flexibility for families with diverse childcare needs. Whether it’s just a few hours a
day or specific days of the week, Au Pairs can adapt to various schedules.

Au Pairs are not qualified: Even though Au Pairs may not hold official childcare
certifications, many have practical experience, like babysitting or serving as camp
counselors. If you have found your Au Pair through a reputable agency, they
undergo pre-arrival training and usually receive continuous support and guidance
during their stay in Canada.

How to be a good Host Family to an Au pair

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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 your expectations and what you are looking for. Find the Au pair whose personality matches with your family. A good personality match will make things easier. It may take up to 10 or more different interviews to find the right Au pair for your family and that’s okay!

When an Au pair officially gets placed with your family, you will get an orientation folder mailed to you, one of them will be a family manual booklet and that’s where you will be able to write down everything about your kids pickup/drop off time, health care number, emergency contacts, security, car details, family values/rules for your kids, a day in the life for your family, your expectations for them, etc. When the Au pair is all settled in your place, instead of just giving the family manual booklet to them, it’s best to sit them down and go through it with them to give them better perspective.

Trust- It’s so important to trust your Au pair unless they have given you a reason not to trust them. What’s a good relationship without trust? Communication is also a key to a good relationship. Communicate with your Au pair about everything when it comes to kids, something you are not happy with, expectations, boundaries, etc.

Respect their privacy. Remember that Au pairs are adults so it’s important to respect their privacy. Always knock before entering their bedroom, treat them like they are off shift when they are not working so try to avoid asking for any favors when it comes to the kids, and let them have their freedom. It’s best to not set a curfew for them if they proven to you they are responsible so they are more at ease if they want to go out at night-as long they are not making noise when they come home and they are ready to work the next day.

When it comes to the Au pair driving your car off shift, be clear about when it comes to gas, how long they can have the car for or if they want to go out at night- you rather have them take public transportation or Uber.

Support your Au pair. Remember they are young and coming to a new country all by yourself can be scary. They are always missing their family back home so treat them as your own family. Be there for them if they are feeling sad, listen to their feelings, and invite them to be a part of everything. (If they say no and rather do something else-don’t take it personally). A great way to make your Au pair feel welcomed when they first arrive to your home is to take them to a restaurant that has food related to their home country. Praise your Au pair when they do a good job at something, it will make them happy.

Don’t get upset if your Au pair makes a mistake. Mistakes are meant to be made and learned from. Living with a new family and being unfamiliar with everything makes their nerves go wild so mistakes will be made. It’s like starting a new job. When your Au pair makes a mistake, don’t get mad or upset. Tell them in a nice tone “it’s okay” and guide them from there so they don’t make the same mistake again. We cannot grow without making mistakes and learning from them.

Be kind with holidays. If you have the Monday off, take the day to be with your kids and give your Au pair the day off! Enjoy family time! In the same vein, communicate days off. If the Au pair has a 3 day weekend, they would want plenty notice to enjoy the time off too!

Last but not least, make sure to teach your kids about respect towards the Au pair like not going into their room, being respectful at all times, not hitting/throwing things at them, and listening to them at all times. Kids can learn a lot from us and what we teach them so it all starts with you!

10 Ways on How to make Friends in a Small Town!

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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 charities, organizations, or community projects close to your heart. Volunteering is a great way to meet people who share similar interests.

Meet up:

Join Meetup at www.meetup.com. People use Meetup to meet new people, learn new things, find support, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their passions, together. It’s a great way to find local groups, activities, and events near you! You can even create your own group or event.

Visit Local Establishments:

Frequent local coffee shops, diners, or other places where people gather. Strike up conversations with the staff or other patrons.

Attend Local Classes or Workshops:

Enroll in classes or workshops offered in the town, whether it’s an art class, fitness class, or cooking workshop. This provides an opportunity to meet new people.

Be Friendly and Approachable:

Smile, make eye contact, and be open to conversations. Approach others with a positive and friendly attitude and don’t forget to mention that you are new in town and you are looking to meet people.

Network through Existing Contacts:

If you meet someone, ask them about other social events or gatherings happening in the town. People in small communities often know each other, and networking through existing contacts can help expand your social circle.

Use Social Media:

Check local social media groups or forums to find out about community events and connect with people online. Many small towns have online platforms where residents share information.

Offer Help:

If you notice someone needs assistance, offer to help. Small acts of kindness can be a great way to start conversations and build connections.

Be Patient and Persistent:

Building friendships takes time, especially if you have just arrived. Be patient and persistent in your efforts.

Remember, the key is to be genuine, friendly and show interest in others. Over time, you’ll find yourself forming connections with others in the small town.

Just arrived in Canada as an Au Pair?

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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 natural pattern will be upset which will cause jet lag. Jet lag may last several days until you are fully adjusted to the new time zone. A good method is to attempt to partially adapt to the destination time zone in advance. This includes starting the daily routine one hour before and after what you normally do during the week before the departure. Upon arrival it is recommended  to adapt to the local time immediately and eat accordingly. Also exposure to sunlight during the day is helpful. 

Arrival in your Host Family

Your Host Family is already very excited to welcome you into their home. Bringing a small present for your Host Family is a very nice gesture and will help to break the ice and to establish that much needed connection. Specialties from your country are always appreciated like sweets or a cuddly toy for the children. We encourage you to join in on family activities at the beginning of your stay. This will show the family that you are interested in being a part of their family life. 

SIN

Before you start working as an Au Pair in Canada, you must apply for a Canadian Social insurance Number (SIN). A SIN is part of the Canadian system for cataloging workers and you must have one in order for your Host Family to pay you. Only three people need to see this number; yourself, your employer, and your bank. 

Keep this number secured.

Banking

You will need to set up a bank account in order to receive your pay; it is not ideal to keep a lot of cash in your home. Your Host Family can either deposit your pay directly into your bank account or issue you a cheque. 

Cell Phones

Various cell phone companies offer a full range of services, features and rate plans. On most plans, you will be billed for both incoming and outgoing calls. Since purchasing a cell phone will cost about $75 to $350, you might want to bring your own cell phone with you.

In addition, you can purchase Pay-as-you-Go cards that cost about $25 for 60 minutes of talk time within Canada. Most companies also now offer month-to-month plans that do not require you to sign a contract.

Driving

Your family may require you to drive. Please make sure to bring an international driver’s license. An international driver’s license is a special license that allows you to drive in Canada when accompanied by a valid driver’s license from their country of residence. You must have this license when you arrive in Canada; you cannot apply for one once you are here.

Check if your driver’s license is valid in Canada and if you have to take an additional test. This varies depending on the province you are living in and your nationality. 

Your Host Family will add you to their car insurance. Make sure to do your research on the driving laws and rules in Canada.

Here’s some more things you should know to ease your stay in Canada! 

Explore your neighborhood to familiarize yourself with what’s around you. Where is the closest supermarket, park or gym?

Join a local club! Perhaps for an activity you know nothing about. You might be surprised how much fun this is. 

Browse the library and check out the community center or local college to learn about what’s happening in the community near you. Join a book club, volleyball team or take a class!

Look for event flyers at coffee shops and restaurants.

Use www.facebook.com or www.meetup.com to connect to like-minded people