An au-pair comes to the U.K. to learn or improve her spoken English, to join in English family life, and to experience some English culture and customs. She does this by living with you, helping to look after your children, helping with light housework, and babysitting 2-3 evenings a week. She lives as a member of your family, and receives weekly pocket money in exchange for her duties. Particularly at the beginning, do make sure your au-pair understands what is being asked of her, it is helpful if things are written down for her. Recommended au-pair hours are 5 daily, over 5 days a week; so 25 hours per week, with 2 days completely free. Obviously these hours can be rearranged within the week, to suit you all, flexibility can be helpful on both sides!. I recommend weekly pocket money of minimum £50, some families do give more, but that is your decision.

The first few weeks are all-important. Try to do as much as you can to help your au-pair settle in. If she meets plenty of people, starts language lessons promptly, makes new friends (see my suggestions in the welcome letter), and has a social life in her free time, there will be little time for homesickness, and the settling in period will be very brief. Please do treat your au-pair as a member of you family, she is not a servant, but one of your family. Talk to her, include her in your conversations if appropriate, offer invitations to join you in family outings and activities where suitable (my welcome letter to au-pairs reminds them that this is a 2-way thing, and to accept invitations gladly!) But if there are queries or problems, please do contact me; I am more than willing to help. It is easier to try and sort out problems at the beginning, before they become a real issue.

Terms of business and introduction, extract..
Jill Holliday is an introductory agency between the family and the au-pair.

On receipt of the registration form, I will forward files of suitable au-pairs.

The requested registration fee of £15 will be deducted from the agency fees, once a placement is agreed.

The agency fees for an agreed placement are currently;

for up to 4 months	£105
for approximately 6 months	£205
for 9-12 months	£235

Payment of this fee, less the registration fee, is due within 2 weeks of the au-pair's arrival.

Should a replacement be required, a further au-pair will be offered, for an additional replacement fee, currently £50.

In completing and signing the registration form, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions, and agreeing to proceed by them.

Please request full terms of business, which will be posted to you with complete information for both families and au-pairs.