Questions

What is Early Childhood Education?
Early Childhood Education (ECE) is for children between the ages of 0 to 5. Early Childhood Education in New Zealand is focused on the well being, belonging, contribution, communication and exploration of children. Early Childhood Education helps children to become confident learners and with their transition to school. Te Whaariki is the Early Childhood Education curriculum framework in New Zealand - which can be taught in a centre-based (daycare) or home-based environment. Au Pair Link is licensed by the New Zealand Ministry of Education to provide Home Based Early Childhood Education services. For more information on how we can implement Early Childhood Education and Te Whaariki in your home please see Our Curriculum.
I currently use daycare - will my child still get social interaction with other children with an Au Pair?

Au Pair Link provides playgroups and child outings as part of our Early Childhood Education programmes (Au Pair 123, Au Pair Whiz, Au Pair Assist etc). Playgroups are run by Au Pair Link locally and every week! We also have large networks of Au Pairs throughout New Zealand - our Au Pairs and children often meet during the week for play-dates etc.

In addition, recent research has indicated that social interaction with other children (for children under 2 years of age) is not critical for healthy infant brain development - in fact over-stimulation through social interaction can have an adverse impact. Instead, developing a strong and consistent bond with a dedicated caregiver or parent is seen as paramount to infant brain development.

What is the difference between your Au Pair Programmes - Au Pair 123, Au Pair Whiz, Au Pair Mate and Au Pair Assist?
  • Au Pair 123 – Our core Early Childhood Education (ECE) programme, approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Education, for families with at least 1 child under 5.
  • Au Pair Whiz – Our professional, qualified Au Pair programme for all ages. An Au Pair Whiz has 2 years minimum childcare experience or a related degree.
  • Au Pair Mate – Our flexible after school care programme tailored for families with children over the age of 5.
  • Au Pair Assist – Our short term, maximum of 3 months, mother’s help programme for families with at least 1 child under 5 and immediate childcare needs.

Please see the Our Programmes page of our website for a simple comparison matrix.

Is having an Au Pair more expensive than having a nanny? What about other forms of childcare?

No, having an Au Pair is much cheaper than having a nanny. The Au Pair 123 programme offers quality childcare for all your children from only $5.78 per hour or $231.06 per week (based on 40 hours). This includes Enrolment Fees, Au Pair wages and bonuses (excluding tax). A nanny can cost between $15 to $25 per hour depending on your location in New Zealand. Even though you must provide an Au Pair with room and board - it still works out to be a far more affordable option that a nanny. Also because daycare and some home-based care is charged "per child per hour/day" - having an Au Pair is a very cost effective option for families with multiple children. With Au Pair Link you also have access to the 20 Hours ECE government subsidy for 3 & 4 year old children as well as WINZ childcare subsidies (including OSCAR).

I do not live in a major centre (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch etc) - can I still get an Au Pair with Au Pair Link?
Yes, most definitely. Contact us today and we can arrange a suitable solution for your family. For more information please see the Our Locations page of our website.
I currently have a private Au Pair (or have got my Au Pair through another agency); can I still access your ECE support services and subsidies?
Yes, as long as your family qualifies for our Au Pair Private Support programme and your Au Pair has a clean police record. If you have recruited your own Au Pair  privately you can qualify for our support services free of charge!
Can I get the 20 Hours ECE or WINZ subsidies?

The 20 Hours ECE subsidy is only available to 3, 4 and 5 year old children enrolled in our Early Childhood Edcuation programmes. Your child becomes eligible for the subsidy when they turn 3. The subsidy finishes when they turn 6. However, your child cannot receive the 20 Hours ECE subsidy if they are attending school. The 20 Hours ECE subsidy is not means tested or based on how much you earn. For more information contact us or visit the 20 Hours ECE or WINZ pages of our webiste.

I am concerned about how our children will feel when the Au Pair goes home after 12 months. How do we deal with this?
In most daycare centres the staff turn-over is quite high and relief teachers are used on a daily basis. We think that having an Au Pair is a much more stable form of childcare than many of the alternatives out there. Having an Au Pair in your home and part your daily routine will allow your children to quickly form a bond with them. When your current Au Pair has completed their Placement Term (up to 12 months) with your family – most Host Families organise an overlap period between their current Au Pair and the new one (to assist with the transition). Usually the children are so excited by the arrival of your new Au Pair - that they quickly adapt to the departure.
I don’t know if I want to live with another person. How can we maintain privacy with an Au Pair in our home?

It is important that every Au Pair has a private and separate bedroom - so they can have a private space where they can read a book and spend some time alone etc. Au Pair Link has large Au Pair networks throughout New Zealand, so Au Pairs quickly make friends and "get out of the house" to keep busy during their spare time. Coupled with this Au Pair Link organises outings and activities to ensure that your Au Pair (and you) can have private time.

Families are often initially concerned about maintaining their privacy, however, after a few weeks the benefits of live-in childcare far outweigh any such concerns. Many of our Host Families tell us about the freedom and the “extra pair of hands” they get from having an Au Pair. For example, if one of your children becomes sick your Au Pair can stay at home and look after them. Also if you need a night off, or are going out to dinner and the movies, your Au Pair can babysit for you at a moments notice.

Can my Au Pair drive a car?
Yes. If you require your Au Pair to drive in New Zealand as part of their job – we will ensure that they have a full, clean and valid drivers licence. For more information please visit the Driving in New Zealand page of our website.
I work shift hours, are we able to get an Au Pair?
Yes - but it depends on the hours you work and if the Au Pair is prepaid to work those same hours. We currently have quite a few Host Families that are in the health care industry, airline industry or TV industry where it is necessary for their Au Pair to work different hours. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we'll find the right Au Pair for you!
Why do I have to pay my Au Pair a Completion Bonus?

You must pay your Au Pair a Completion Bonus in recognition of a successful Placement Term and as a contribution toward the return flight home of your Au Pair. You must agree on the length of the Placement Term prior to matching with an Au Pair (e.g. 6 , 9 or 12 months). A Completion Bonus is a great incentive to ensure that every Au Pair completes their full Placement Term and does not go home early.

Can my Au Pair care for a newborn baby?

Yes. We recruit Au Pairs who have specific experience with babies. However, we do ask that mothers are at home for at least 6 weeks with the newborn to ensure that there are no health issues and that your child is settling in well.You tell us your requirements and we'll find you the right Au Pair! Check out our Au Pair Whiz programme - an Au Pair Whiz has 2 years minimum childcare experience or a related degree.

I am a Single Dad; can I still get an Au Pair?
Yes. It does sometimes take a longer time to match an Au Pair with a single parent household as some Au Pairs do not feel comfortable with this. But we have many Au Pairs that would be happy to match with your family (and many Au Pairs who indeed come from a single parent household themselves).
Can I request my Au Pair to have special interests, for example playing the piano or speaking French?
Yes, sometimes it easier to match a family with a specific Au Pair if you have some clear expectations and guidelines. However, we do ask our families to be open-minded as your perfect Au Pair may not speak fluent French or play the piano! What makes a great Au Pair is a positive attitude, willingness to learn and love of children.
How much childcare experience does an Au Pair typically have?

Our Au Pairs (123 and Mate programmes) have at least 100-200 hours of documented childcare experience (on average our Au Pairs have 1300 hours of childcare experience)! We also have a professional, qualified Au Pair programme called Au Pair Whiz. An Au Pair Whiz has 2 years minimum childcare experience or a related childcare degree. For our Au Pair Assist programme, no minimum level of childcare experience is required.

How long does it take to get an Au Pair?

From the point that you apply online with Au Pair Link to the arrival of your Au Pair in New Zealand - it can take between 6 to 8 weeks. Many external factors can influence this time frame - such as your requirements, the time of the year, the availability of flights and the earliest departure date of your selected Au Pair. We advise families to register with Au Pair Link approximately 3 months prior to the date that they require their Au Pair to arrive in New Zealand.

Au Pair Assist placements can be made much more quickly (often within 1 week) as the Au Pair candidates are typically already in New Zealand on a Working Holiday or Student Visa. If you have immediate and urgent childcare needs please refer to our short term Au Pair Assist programme.

What types of requirements are there to become a Host Family with Au Pair Link?

Please refer to the Your Requirements page of our website.

What happens if I am unhappy with my Au Pair?
The best way to ensure a successful year with your Au Pair is to foster open communication. You are also able to speak with your local Au Pair Link Programme Manager if you are having any problems with your Au Pair. We are able to facilitate a mediation session to help resolve any serious problems, however, most issues can be resolved through open communication directly with your Au Pair. If all else fails, we offer a re-match service free of charge for up to 3 months (guaranteeing your Au Pair placement). This includes providing the Au Pair with free accommodation whilst in re-match for up to 5 days (conditions apply).
Why do I need Au Pair Link to match me with an Au Pair?

An Au Pair will be caring for your children - as such it is critical that they are safe, trustworthy and reliable. Through our global network of trusted partners, we are able to carefully scrutinise all Au Pair applicants and ensure the best fit for your family. Through our established international partnerships we conduct a thorough examination of each Au Pair candidate, including:

  • A personal interview
  • Checking police records
  • Obtaining medical records
  • An English test
  • A personality test
  • Two childcare references
  • A character reference
  • Review of school transcripts
  • Review of certificates and qualifications

We also guarantee all our Au Pair placements for up to 3 months (except Au Pair Assist which is for only 1 month). Au Pair Link is the largest and leading Au Pair agency in New Zealand - we know the Au Pair industry and what works for our clients.

“The International Au Pair Association (IAPA) recommends families always use a reputable agency when looking for an Au Pair. The agency can arrange a written contract between the family and Au Pair, can validate references and offer a rematch policy if the initial Au Pair doesn't work out.” (Littlies Magazine - Issue 46 November 2007).

What are my tax obligations as an employer?

As your employee, Au Pairs are entitled to holiday pay, public holidays, sick leave and annual leave. Au Pair weekly wages are net cash payments exclusive of PAYE tax and board or lodging. As a result, board or lodging must be included as part of the total gross package provided to your Au Pair – on which PAYE tax is calculated. For more information on your tax responsibilities as an employer please visit the Your Tax Obligations page on our website.

Why does Au Pair Link charge the same fees for a 6, 9 or 12 month Placement Term?

Every Au Pair must go through the same rigorous screening process regardless of the Placement Term (length of stay) with a Host Family. The level of input and work required for recruitment and matching is not influenced by the Placement Term. Therefore, the price is the same no matter what length of stay.

What are my responsibilities as an employer?

In New Zealand, an Au Pair will be the employee of their Host Family. For more information on your responsibilities as an employer please visit the Employer Responsibilities page on our website. Au Pairs typically enter New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa or Student Visa. New Zealand does not have a specific 'Exchange Visitor Visa' programme for Au Pairs and other foreign workers like in the United States of America e.g. the USA J1 Visa. Anyone working in New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa or Student Visa enjoys the same benefits and rights under New Zealand employment law as per any another employee in New Zealand. Therefore, in New Zealand, an Au Pair will become the employee of their Host Family and as such all Host Families in New Zealand must comply with the Employment Relations Act and other employment laws including:

  • The Holidays Act
  • The Minimum Wage Act
  • The Health and Safety in Employment Act.

As employees, Au Pairs are entitled to holiday pay, public holidays, sick leave and annual leave in New Zealand. Au Pair Link provides all Host Families with an industry leading Individual Fixed Term Employment Agreement and can supply you with best practice industry information regarding taxation and employment legislation. For further information on the difference between a self employed contractor and employee please visit the Department of Labour website.

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