Finding Au Pairing Jobs in America
British au pairs have traditionally been in great demand in the USA, even where cheaper local or Mexican help is readily available. This has something to do with the snob value of having someone from Europe, someone a little bit exotic but who speaks English. Any British accent is deemed high class and so desirable (at least among the class of people who want and can afford to hire au pairs). Applicants must have childcare experience (NNEB an advantage), non-smoker, full driving licence, aged 18-25. Expect $150 per week pocket money plus flight plus 2 weeks' holiday and medical insurance. Since the Woodward case be prepared for considerably more conscientious vetting of credentials by agencies, sponsors, families and US Immigration officials, which given that there are now well over 10,000 applications every year, will take time.
How do I find out what's it all about?
- Write to Au Pair Childcare Department, 37 Queens Gate, London SW7 5HR (Tel: (020) 7581 2730) for Camp America's brochure.
- EIL Ltd, 287 Worcester Road, Malvern, Worcester WR14 lAB (Tel: (01684) 562577. Fax: (01684) 562212) runs a similar programme called Au Pair Homestay for 18-26 year olds.
- Pre-select Staff Agency, 924 Stratford Road, Springfield, Birmingham B11 4BT (Tel: (0121) 702 2100) is the UK office for a Utah-based au pair registry. By post please enclose large SAE with two 1st class stamps.
Can I do it without such help?
- The US authorities are tightening up their response to US residents hiring people who lack the necessary papers to work in the USA. In practical terms it's unlikely that people staying on after a holiday would ever be found out, but you would have to be prepared to live in something of a limbo, and if you do get caught you may find that deportation will mean you won't be allowed to re-enter the USA again.
- Camp America and EIL provide a fully legal service based upon 20 years of dealing with the appropriate US paperwork. They also have the contacts built up over the years.
- You might be able to find a suitable employer from this distance, but even if you made contact you are taking a far greater risk than when going through an agency that in effect acts as a vetting process, for both employer and employee.
- If you organise everything yourself and things don't work out who can you turn to? Camp America has US contacts.
- If you do everything for yourself and it works well you will of course stand to make more money: your employer won't have any agency fees to pay.
What do I need to apply?
- Three good passport sized photographs.
- A character reference.
- A curriculum vitae (CV) setting out what you've done, what skills and qualifications you have.
- Any sporting, teaching or professional certificates you have to support your application.
Alternatives?
- David Wood Worth (ed), The International Directory of Voluntary Work, Vacation Work, Oxford.
- Winant Clayton Volunteers Association, 38 Newark Street, London El 2AA. Tel: (020) 7375 0547. Organises 3 month programmes (June-September), including 3 weeks for travel before returning home, for volunteers in their community work programmes in New York City, Boston and Washington DC. Once in place volunteers receive room and board and pocket money. Expect to contribute about £800 including all travel, though grants may be available for needy applicants with practical experience of working with people (voluntary or professional sectors). UK residents only, minimum age 19. Interviews are held in late January and early February.
- Mountbatten Internship Programme, 13 Muffats Lane, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7RX. Tel: (01707) 661870. Web site: www.mountbatten.org. Provides work experience opportunities in New York City for school-leavers who wish to defer going on to higher education for a year and would like practical experience in business. Apply before taking A-levels and be prepared for an interview. Don't forget to ask the institutions to which you are applying how they would respond to your deferring entry for a year.
