Working as an Au Pair
Rightly or wrongly, this is one area that is almost exclusively reserved for women. In return for looking after a family's child/ children you will receive your board and lodging and a wage that may not be much more than pocket money. Au pairs can work in Europe if they have a language, and it is one area where it is still possible to find a job in America or Canada; the social prestige of a British nanny is still common and even if you do not have any specific qualifications you could still find a job if you can exhibit a liking for hard work and a certain level of responsibility. Camp America runs a programme specifically for au pairs:
Au Pairs in America
Department CA
37 Queen's Gate
London
SW7 5HR
Tel: (020) 7581 7322
Finding a Job as an Au Pair
If you are looking for an au pair position you could try approaching the numerous agencies which specialise in sending au pairs overseas. Most agencies charge a placement fee of approximately £50. They include:
Westminster Nannies International
16 The Croft
Clevedon
Avon
BS21 6AT
Tel: (020) 8958 1750
The Au Pair Agency
231 Hale Lane
Edgware
Middlesex
HA8 9QP
Tel: (01275) 876082
Langtrain International
Torquay Road
Foxrock
Dublin
18
Tel: (3531) 2893876
Problems Unlimited Agency
86 Alexandra Road
Windsor
Berkshire
SL4 1HU
Tel: (01753) 830101
For a complete list of agencies, contact: The Federation of Recruitment and Employment Services
36-38 Mortimer Street
London
W1N 7RB
Tel: (020) 7323 4300
Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
If you want to find an au pair placement yourself then you should consult The Lady magazine. This has a whole section of classified advertisements covering au pair work abroad. You can either contact some of the people who are advertising or, alternatively, put in your own notice offering your services.
