I need an Au Pair
What is a South African Au pair?
In the traditional sense, an au pair, is defined as a young person living with a family abroad caring for the families children and doing light house work. However in South Africa, today, an au pair is much more than this. An au pair in South Africa, is a professional, responsible, experienced and even trained person who cares for the child’s entire welfare whilst in his or her care and is not responsible for general household duties and is the equivalent of a professional Nanny in the UK.
An au pair is expected to do a lot more than just supervise the children. Parents should always be the primary care providers and role models for their children and au pairs can support the parents in achieving this goal by contributing to the children’s vital support network.
An au pair helps with daily activities related to the child’s needs, from lifting to helping with homework, preparing healthy snacks and filling the children's days with fun, age appropriate activities. This leaves time for mom and dad to relax with their children and enjoy a healthy relationship which ultimately will provide the basis to develop the communication and trust needed between children and parents as they get older.
What are our Requirements for Au pairs
We like to look at applicants as a whole, relying not only on what they have done but who they are as people. In order for an Au pair to be registered with us all candidates need to fulfil the following minimum Au pair Mandate:
- Our Au pairs must have a minimum of at least 1 years child care experience as an au pair or babysitter with contactable references. ( most have three or more years experience)
- Our Au pairs have their own reliable child safe vehicle and a valid South African driving license.
- Our Au pairs must hold a valid first aid certificate or apply to do one with Sitters4U on application with us.We are currently the only au pair agency in South Africa that insists on staff completing their first Aid.
- They must have no criminal record and provide either a police clearance certificate or affidavit stating their criminal status on application with us.
- They must be in good health.
- Our au pairs have a friendly, outgoing and caring personality.
- They are relatively active and enjoy being outdoors.
- Through their references and history we ensure that our au pairs love being around children and enjoy doing creative activities with them.
- Our au pairs are able to take the initiative in situations, from creating fun things to do, to handling an emergency situation.
- We insist in assisting only those au pairs who look as child care as more than a job, see it as a commitment to the children they care for, and who enjoy the responsibilities involved in doing so.
How to hire an Au pair with Sitters4U
As parents we want to know that our children always have plenty of care, love and attention. At Sitters4U, we understand that with the hectic schedules of modern day life, as a parent one cannot always be by their side 24 hours a day. Parents play the important role of primary provider and an au pair can play a vital supportive role in our children’s lives, making the time parents and children spend together quality time.
Getting Started:
Before completing your request form it is also a good idea to read through the below outlined process of hiring an au pair with Sitters4U:
- The Process:
- Step1: Fill in your online request form
- Step2: Establish the salary
- Step3: First Interviews
- Step4: Second Interviews
- Step5: Hire your au pair
- How long does the process take?
- How many candidates can I expect to see?
- Why do we not send out profiles of candidates until the second interview?
- What are Sitters4U fees for Au pair placement
- What are the benefits of finding an Au pair with Sitters4U?
Step 1: Make your request
Fill in the Au pair request form by clicking here.
No faxing or emailing required as this form is submitted directly from the website. It is quite a lengthy form however the more information we have, the better we will understand your requirements and the better match we can make for you in terms of matching those requirements in potential candidates.
- Complete your request form
- You will need to provide the times you are available to interview candidates, which should be approximately 3 to 5 working days from the date of sending your request form.
Step 2: Establish the Salary
On receipt of your request form we will send you a quote on the salary. This is generally negotiable but should be based on the following table for long term positions:
- Rate per hour X hours per week X 4.5 weeks per month
- Rate per hour X total hours of work requested
- Less than 15 hours per week: R 50 per hour
- 15 to 35 hours per week: R 45 per hour
- 35 hours or more: negotiable
Step 3: First Interviews
- We will confirm the times of the interviews with the candidates and yourself.
- We will not invoice you for registration unless we have candidates available for you to interview who are interested in the position and salary you are offering and are suitable to your requirements.
- We will then send you an invoice for registration which is R300 and not refundable and a copy of our guidelines for interviewing an au pair.
- On receipt of payment we will confirm the interviews.
- In your first interviews you will see the candidates for approximately 20 to 30 minutes per candidate and we recommend seeing all the candidates on the same day or within a 2 day period at a maximum so that should one of your candidates not arrive you have not wasted time waiting for them. ( Why would a candidate not arrive?)
- In your first interview you should exclude the children.
- This will give you the opportunity to get a feel for the candidates you would like to see for second interviews.
- You should immediately report to Sitters4U as to which candidates you preferred and provide times for second interviews.
Step 4: Second Interviews
- Second interviews should take place not more than 2 days after the first interviews.
- Your second interviews with your preferred candidates should include the children and should last approximately an hour or longer.
Step 5: Hire your Au pair
- As soon as you have come to a decision on the candidate you would prefer to hire, please contact Sitters4U to ensure that the candidate is still available to be hired, we recommend making this decision within 1 to 3 days of your second interviews and providing a time for signing of the contract.
- Sitters4U will immediately confirm the placement and forward you the documentation required to be signed together with the invoice for the placement fee which is equivalent to 100% of the monthly negotiated salary ( for long term placement) or 30% of the total earned by the candidate over the total time worked ( for short term placements).
- Invoices are due within 3 days of invoice.
- Read more about maintaining a good relationship with your au pair
- Read more about the Basic Conditions of Employment Act
- What are the current tax tables?
How long does the process take?
- It will take 1 to 3 days for us to confirm your first interviews with potential candidates.
- You will have completed your first interviews within 3 to 5 days of sending your intitial request.
- You should make a decision on who you would like to see for second interviews within 2 working days of the initial interviews.
- You should come to a decision on who you would like to hire within 1 to 3 days of your second interviews.
- You can expect to see 2 to 5 candidates per position.
Browse Au Pairs
Click here to take a look at the au pairs we have listed in your area.
What are Sitters4U’s fees for Au pair Placement?
- Registration:
- A registration fee of R 300.00 (ZAR) must be paid before or upon interviews taking place ,being requested or confirmed.
- No interviews will take place until proof of payment of registration fee has been received.
- The registration fee, registers you to proceed with interviews with these Candidates.
- The registration fee registers you for a maximum period of 3 months.
- The registration fee is non-refundable.
- This fee is a once off fee calculated at 100% of the au pair's monthly salary for long term positions
- 30% of the total amount earned over the total period worked ( short term positions are 3 months or less).
Added Benefits of finding an Au pair with Sitters4U
- Initial request for an au pair is free.
- The position you are offering is advertised for free on our website and directly to our already listed and available candidates via SMS, telephonically, email and through the website.
- On joining with us all candidates, if they have not already done so partake in a SETA approved paediatric first aid course. Even you can join us to take part in these courses by clicking here and selecting the next course taking place in your city. By making First Aid a necessity instead of luxury as it is in the rest of the world, Sitters4U aims to set a new precedent and increase the standard service level in South Africa for child carers.
- Beyond First Aid , through our articles and provided resources for candidates we provide guidelines to ensure your children are always safe.
- One of the benefits of having an au pair is that they are able to provide age appropriate, fun activities to do. From being at home on a rainy day to taking your children on outings, allowing them to safely explore the world around them.During school holidays this is especially important and can be of great assistance. Sitters4U believe that keeping you and your au pair informed of the latest events and possible outings in your area is of absolute importance. Every month you and your au pair will receive a copy of the Mom's Gig Guide newsletter which will allows you to choose from a variety of fun activities that your au pair can do with your children, we also ensure to include information about events even you will enjoy. View our Mom's Gig Guide by clicking here.
