Responsibilities of the Host Families
We can unfortunately no longer accept further applications at the moment. You can find a list of Au Pair agencies in Spain at www.agenciasaupairaepa.es who will be happy to help you.
Families, composed either by single parents or by two parents, are looking for Au Pairs that are able to integrate themselves into the family and to whom they can trust the care of their children with. The main reason Spanish families have Au Pairs is for their children to practise a specific language (English, French, German, etc.), although usually the preferred language is English. Families are open to this cultural exchange, and they enjoy sharing their everyday life with an Au Pair from another culture. Therefore, families welcome Au Pairs as another family member.
The Host Family must offer the Au Pair a private room with all the amenities needed (bed, closet, desk, heating, AC, etc.). During the summer period, if the family goes on holiday and wants the Au Pair to join them, the Au Pair might be asked to occasionally share a room with the children, as usually the summer holiday houses are smaller. The Host Family has to offer as well full board, so the Au Pair will not have to pay for her own food and will share the meals with the Family. Lastly, the Family has to pay the Au Pair a weekly pocket money based on the worked hours (the minimum for 30h/week is 70€).
Most Au Pairs have 1,5 or 2 days off per week, always depending on the Family's needs, and the Au Pair will have at least one weekend free per month. The Au Pair are entitled to two weeks of paid holidays per year (pro-rata) plus public holidays. Holiday can also be taken as accrued on the pro rata basis-
The Au Pair will have enough time to go to Spanish classes during her free time. Even though the Family can give the Au Pair a contribution for her studies, this is not mandatory and the cost of the classes is the Au Pair's responsibility. The Family can also give the Au Pair a contribution for transportation if needed.
The Host Family will collect in person the Au Pair upon her arrival. In the event that they are unable to meet the Au Pair in the airport, the Family will make the arrangements needed so someone (relative, neighbour) can collect the Au Pair. The Family will help the Au Pair settling in and they must inform them of the house rules and of their responsabilities and duties. The Au Pair will be included in the Family's car insurance if they need a driver. It is important that during the first month of the stay (adaptation period) the Family supports and motivates the Au Pair, at the same time that the Au Pair tries to settle in well.
In the event of illness of injury, the Host Family will take care of the Au Pair as any other member of the family. In the case that the Au Pair is unable to work, the Host Family will still pay for her weekly pocket money (for max. 3 days). The health insurance will cover the cost of the medicine; if the insurance does not cover that cost, the Au Pair will.
Finally, the Host Family must inform the Au Pair of any changes in the schedule or in the responsabilities, such as changes during the summer holidays in which the Au Pair might be asked to work longer hours. If the Au Pair works longer, she should be compensated (days off/money).