Au Pairing?

Hi everyone,

Basically, I'm considering taking a gap year next year (2016/17) and spending it as an au pair in France. I've always wanted to take a year out, but I wanted to do something that universities wouldn't disapprove of and I could never pick which area to go travelling in. The idea of au pairing sounds fantastic for me as I love children and travelling and languages and feel that it would be a really rewarding experience.
I just have a few questions that I was hoping some of you could answer or at least offer friendly advice on

-Are there any universities who are likely to view me differently because I'm applying for deferred entry?
-Does anybody have any experience as an au pair, did you like it?
-What kind of things do I need to sort out before I go?
-City/town/countryside?
-What ages work best?
-How beneficial is it in terms of improving a language?

Thank you!!

Universities certainly won't discriminate against you if you plan to take a gap year, especially if you have something constructive to do during it. Obviously, if you are applying for foreign languages, a gap year when you will be using the language would be a distinct advantage.

My advice to you on how to go about getting an au-pair job would be to look around for agencies specialising in the country or countries that interest you. Think about cultural differences and how easily you might adapt to them. As to what kind of locality you should go for, that depends on what you are used to, and what matters to you. You are supposed to have time off during the day to study, which would be easier to do in a city than anywhere else.

As for the ages of the children, you shouldn't be taking on children below local school age. For one thing, if you do, it may be difficult to get your proper time off unless there are good arrangements in place.

Being an au-pair can do wonders for your command of the language - and you will learn a great deal about another country's way of doing things, but do so in what should be a safe and friendly environment. Over the years - but not recently - I have come across several au-pairs and almost all of them went home enriched by the experience. Finding a friendly and considerate family is key.

An agency will advise on what you need by way of documentation and preparation. Take a look at http://www.childint.co.uk/au_pair/abroad/europe as an example - there are plenty of others. Do be selective when picking your agency - they need you as much as you need them.

Thanks so much for this response, it's really detailed and very helpful!
Much appreciated

I'm looking to go au pairing in Europe for a year between finishing my bachelors and starting my PGCE. Any information would be helpful, as I have absolutely no idea where to start!

I'm looking to go au pairing in Europe for a year between finishing my bachelors and starting my PGCE. Any information would be helpful, as I have absolutely no idea where to start!

I'm just looking at agency websites and scouting families at the moment. Though, you may also want to check out any rules the country you're planning on visiting has in terms of how long you can stay and what you can do; some are more lenient than others. When are you planning on going?

I'm planning on going next summer after I graduate. I'm planning on taking a year out before my masters so I can go travelling. I'm planning on staying in the EU (I'm a British citizen), so length of stay shouldn't be a problem. I'm mainly looking at France and Germany tbh, as I really don't want to forget my French and German!

How much experience do you have with children? Only asking as I wanted to do a similar thing, but the agencies I looked at said you need 100 hours babysitting (not including family), which I'm not sure how to go about getting!
What standard French / German are you?

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I have a tiny bit of experience babysitting neighbours' children, but most of my experience comes from helping to run an after-school club for 5-7 year olds each week and my holiday job at a summer camp. Not babysitting hours as such, but work with children so would probably count for something. I've only been looking at a few agencies, but I haven't seen this 100 hours thing on any websites, so there are definitely some where this isn't a requirement if you think you're going to struggle meeting that criterium.

I speak literally 4 words of German, hence why I am not going to Germany! :P
I've done French A level, so I'd like to think I have a decent level of comprehension and definitely the ability to hold a conversation, but nowhere near fluent. I think you need to have some language skills, but if you're not fluent that's fine, nobody expects you to be; that's why you're there!