GUIDELINES AND RULES AU PAIR IN SPAIN

We are looking for people who realize that they are coming to Spain for a language and cultural exchange, as well as to study and help the family with light household duties and with the children, babysitting, homework, etc.

Most of our host families will not accept smokers.

To work as Au pair in Spain you must speak excellent English/ French/ German and should ideally have at least a basic knowledge of Spanish.

WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVIDE

As soon as you have decided you would like to go ahead with the program Au pair in Spain, and in order to find a host family match for you, you will need to send us the following:
- Completed Application Form (which you can obtain from our website). This is the document that we need most urgently. You can send us this form first, and then put together the rest of the information and send it a few days later, to our email address: revilla_aupair@hotmail.com :
- Some nice, friendly pictures of you (these can include some pictures of you with your friends/family).
- Your “Dear Family” letter addressed to the prospective family, telling them a bit about yourself and what you are expecting from your Au pair jobs in Spain.
- 2 Childcare References with details of families we can contact to obtain references on your previous experience as a babysitter or child minder. Please ensure these details are up to date. Details must include name, postal address, phone number and, if available, email address.
- Recent Medical Certificate, stating that you are fit and well to work as Au pair with children in Spain. Please note that we are not able to accept applicants for our Program Au pair in Spain, with eating disorders.

PAYMENT OF FEES:

The fee for the Program Au pair in Spain we provide is 90€, and it is payable only once you have received and accepted your host family’s details. No payment is required from you if for whatever reason we are not able to find you a host family. Payment of fees in full must be made at least 2 weeks before you arrive in Spain (non-payment of fees will result in the cancellation of the program). Please note that we can only accept payments by bank transfer.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROSPECTIVE FAMILY:

What you can expect in you Au pair jobs in Spain:
• Your own room, with a desk in it so you can study.
• Some pocket money (70€ per week).
• Some free time every day in order to attend your Spanish lessons and meet new people.
• You will be treated with respect and as a member of the family; you will always eat with them at the table and take part in any family activities. At your Au pair work in Spain, you will not be viewed as a cleaner/ housekeeper, however you will be expected to help with the housework as any other adult member of the household.
• You will be given clear advice, instructions and guidelines on what to do when looking after the children and the house.
• Please remember that the first few days can be tough as you will be in a new environment, a new country, away from your loved ones, and living in someone else’s home. However, we are confident that you will be made to feel very welcome by your host family, and that you will be able to display skills such as adaptability, patience and friendliness that will help make overcome this and make your stay as an Au pair in Spain an extremely fun and pleasant one.

DUTIES

You will get detailed information about your host family in Spain and the duties of your Au pair work before you leave your country. This should help avoid any confusion. You will be expected to help with the housework that concerns the kids, school work, and most probably you will teach them and help them practice a language that you are very fluent in (English, French or German).

You will be expected to wake up at a regular time (to be agreed with your family). Please bring an alarm clock with you. You will be expected to help some or all of the following:

* Light housework * Babysitting * Picking up or collecting children from school * Bathing children and putting them to bed * Playing with them to encourage a good relationship * Help with homework & teach them your language

WORKING HOURS

At your Au pair job in Spain, you will be expected to work 30 hours per week: 5 hours every day (Monday to Saturday morning) or 6 hours a day (Monday to Friday), it depending on your host family’s requirements.

Two nights of babysitting are also required. But you will always have a free nigh on Friday or Saturday.

Should your family require you to work longer hours during school holidays, they will need to discuss this with you and agree payment for any additional hours worked.

FREE TIME

You will get at least a free day and a half of your Au pair work during weekends plus, during weekdays, you should get some free time during the day and on some evenings to allow you to attend, if you so wish, your Spanish lessons and to meet new people or hang out with your friends. We strongly encourage you to try to make some new friends as soon as you can soon start feeling comfortable in your new environment and make the most of your time in Spain.

When you go out, please be very clear about the time you return, otherwise the family will worry about you. If you are expected to return home to baby-sit or help with housework, please be punctual. If you have any problems at all regarding this, you must keep your family informed by telephone. Most families do not mind if you wish to come home late at night as long as they are aware. However, there are some families that may object, so please discuss this first. If you would like to invite a friend to visit you at any time, it would be polite to check this is convenient with your family.

POCKET MONEY

The amount agreed for your Au pair work is 70€ per week (for a normal working week of 30 hours plus 1 or 2 nights per week of babysitting).

SPANISH LESSONS

Should you wish to sign-up for Spanish lessons, which are optional, you will need to pay an additional 78 € per month for five hours a week, or 49 € for three hours per week.

TRAVEL

You will be responsible for covering the costs of your fare to and from your country. You must also inform your host-family and us of your expected arrival time, so that your host-family can meet and greet you at the airport or main line station.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AU PAIR JOBS IN SPAIN

Please ensure that you are able to comply with the family’s requirements before accepting the position. If there is anything at all that you do not agree with or you have any concerns, it is imperative that the host family be made aware of this and you will find that in most cases some compromises can be made.

We strongly advice you to try your best to be cheerful, pleasant and willing, as we find this always helps accelerate the process of developing a good relationship and bond with the host family.

At the beginning you might feel lonely and uncomfortable, this is quite normal and your family will be aware of this – it’s just human nature ?. However please be patient as in a matter of a few days you should be feeling a lot more comfortable and at ease with your host family. You should discuss any problems or difficulties you may experience with your family.

Communication is a very important factor if you are to have a good understanding of one another.

I – BEHAVIOR WITH YOUR HOST: Since you have come to Spain to learn about Spanish culture, the best thing you can do to adapt quickly is to immerse yourself into Spanish lifestyle. Those of you who make the effort will be compensated tremendously by the end of the Program Au pair in Spain, and you will find that you have grown and learnt a great deal.

Essential then is that the relationship with your Hosts be one of mutual trust. The best way for them to trust you is for you to respect their rules and customs. Someone else’s house, as you know, is very different from your home, and it is also very different from a hotel: you are expected to treat it accordingly and respectfully.

II – BEHAVIOR AT HOME: You should be aware that your hosts have a right to privacy just as you do. The parents’ rooms should be considered as off limits, unless you are told otherwise. Music shouldn’t be played loud in your room. Keep you feet off of tables and chairs in the living room, and don’t stretch out on the couch with your shoes on. We also recommend you not to sit in your host’s favorite chair ?

III – YOUR ROOM: Keep it neat and tidy and make your bed every day: you do not live in a dorm! Keep the bathroom clean. Flush!

IV – MEALS WITH THE HOST FAMILY: Remember that the regular time for lunch in Spain is between 14:00 to 15:30, and dinner is between 21:00 to 22:30 (this does not apply to children’s meals, which are generally earlier). The midday meal is usually the largest, although many Spaniards eat a not-so-light-meal at dinner time as well. Breakfast is usually coffee, tea, or milk and cookies, toast with butter and jam, or cereal. Spaniards are very well mannered at the table, as they are in general –although they might not seem so at times- and they expect everyone to be well mannered as well. Don’t be surprised if you see them peel and eat a peach with a knife and fork or eat grilled-cheese sandwiches and hamburgers the same way. “When in Rome …” Spaniards love to talk during and after meals. You will probably be expected to take part in what is called “la sobremesa” or conversation at mealtime. You’ll also see that most Spaniards are very politically conscious. The first thing you’ll be asked is what you think about your President, for example.

Generally, you are expected not to cook your own meals, take anything from the refrigerator/kitchen cupboard or to eat or drink in your room, unless your host family invites you to do otherwise. You will be given three meals a day –breakfast-lunch-and supper.

V – ADDRESSING PEOPLE YOU DON’T KNOW: Use the more formal “Usted” form whenever you talk to somebody you don’t know. Always say “por favor” when you ask anybody for information or a favor. In general, try to avoid using the “tu” form with bartenders, waiters or waitresses, or those you ask for information or a favor.

VI – GETTING IN LATE AT NIGHT: Your hosts will be aware of the fact that you are a young adult and want to go out at weekend nights with friends. But remember that you are not living in a hotel. It is not advisable to stay out late during week days, although you may do so on weekends, if you want. But please, don’t make noise, bang doors or turn on all the lights when you come in. If you leave for the weekend, advise your Hosts of a probable itinerary, and the dates when you will be away and remember this is for your own safety, as well as a simple courtesy. Keep in mind and respect any curfew that the family may give you, if any.

HEALTH INSURANCE

There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Before you come to Spain to your Au pair work, please ensure that you are fit and in good health. If you need any dental treatment, you are advised to do this before you come. Dental treatment is very costly here and it is not provided through the social security system.

E.U. Citizens: Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries providing emergency health care on the same terms as Spanish nationals. EU travelers MUST obtain an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) before coming to Spain. This will allow them to have access to the Social Security System. Note that the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Whenever you need treatment while in Spain make it clear that you have an EHIC and that you want to be treated under the EU arrangements. Please visit http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/healthcard/citoyens_en.htm for further information.

Non-E.U. Citizens: We strongly urge you to consult with your medical insurance provider prior to traveling to Spain to confirm whether your policy applies in Spain and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made by them or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. You must also check with your health insurance provider what paperwork will be required for you to use while in Spain (detailed bills, diagnoses and treatments clearly spelled out in case of a visit to Hospital occurs).

PHONE USE

In Spain phone calls are expensive. Please keep this in mind while living with host families. If you plan to call abroad often we recommend that you purchase a phone card for this purpose, such as “Printel Card” phone cards available at “Forocio” or “Funiversal”. Try to use a pay phone where possible. And of course, you can communicate with your friends and family by e-mail.

KEYS

If you lose, misplace or get the keys to the house/front door stolen, you will be expected to replace them, and/or the lock. There is a maximum limit of 90.20 € to what you are expected to pay for this purpose.

AND FINALLY…..

Don’t forget to print these Guidelines and Rules, and bring them with you when you come to Spain for your Au pair work

We sincerely hope you have a fantastic time like Au pair in Spain. Coming to Spain to work as an Au pair is an ideal way to improve your Spanish and also a wonderful way to broaden your experiences of life and learn about other people, as no doubt you will make some new friends.