The Au Pair & Nanny's Guide to Working Abroad, 5th

by Susan Griffith and Sharon Legg

• ISBN13: 9781854583475
• ISBN10: 1854583476
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-05-01
• Publisher: Vacation Work Publications

Summary

This is the fully revised fifth edition of the definitive handbook for everyone looking for short or long term work abroad as an au pair, nanny or mother's help. A comprehensive guide, it includes all the information you need including: A directory of more than 250 agencies; regional guides to opportunities in 24 countries; guidance on any training and experience needed; information on opportunities for male applicants; and advice on how to cope with any problems that arise. Plus advice on cooking for children, first aid and children's ailments, games and activities.

Author Biography

Susan Griffith is the author of many of Vacation Work's leading books including Work Your Way Around the World. Canadian-born Susan now lives in Cambridge with her family.

Sharon Legg was prompted to write The Au Pair and Nanny's Guide to Working Abroad from her own experiences of working abroad with families.

Table of Contents

PART I INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION	8	(17)
Au Pairs, Nannies and Mother's Helps	8	(1)
Origins of the Au Pair System	9	(1)
Who is Eligible?	10	(3)
Male Au Pairs
What Families are looking for
Motives for Working with Children	13	(1)
Deciding to Go	14	(3)
Where should you go?
Red Tape	17	(2)
Regulations
Training and Experience	19	(2)
NVQs
Certificates and Diplomas
Other Qualifications
Duties, Rewards & Risks	21	(4)
FINDING A JOB	25	(17)
The Internet	25	(2)
Agencies	27	(9)
Pros and Cons
Choosing an Agency
Accreditation Bodies
Agency Procedures
North American Applicants
Working for Tour Operators
Advertisements	36	(2)
The Lady
Other Publications
Word of Mouth	38	(1)
Job-hunting Abroad	38	(1)
Interviews	39	(3)
Preparing for the Interview
Conducting Yourself at Interview
PREPARATION	42	(8)
Contracts	42	(1)
Nannies
Au Pairs
Health and Insurance	43	(2)
National Contributions
Learning a Language	45	(1)
Travel	45	(1)
What to Take	46	(2)
Money
Packing
While You're Waiting	48	(2)
Keeping in Touch
Last Minute Panics
PROBLEMS AND HOW TO COPE	50	(26)
Initial Traumas	50	(6)
Breaking the Ice
Your First Day
Coping with the Previous Nanny
Winning the Children Over
Culture Shock
Homesickness
Problems with Children	56	(8)
Resentment in Children
Crying
Disobedience
Discipline
Tantrums
Eating Problems
Food Allergies
Sleeping and Dreaming
Toilet Training
Bedwetting
Problems with Parents	64	(8)
Pay and Time Off
Requesting a Pay Rise
Interference with your Social Life
Unrealistic Expectations
Maternal Resentment and Jealousy
Employee Resentment
Conflict over Discipline
Flirtatious Fathers
Marital Problems
Coping with a New Arrival	72	(4)
Telling the Children
Explaining the Facts of Life
Coping with the Mother
Jealousy
Feeding
Nappy Rash
Colic
Stimulating the Newborn
LEISURE TIME AND DEPARTURE	76	(9)
Creating a Social Life	76	(3)
Meeting Other Au Pairs/Nannies
Meeting Expatriates
Meeting the Locals
Learning a Language	79	(1)
Language Courses Abroad
Time Off	80	(2)
Your First Day Off
Excursions and Activities
Use of a Car
Departure	82	(213)
Giving Notice
Preparing the Children
Meeting the New Nanny
Farewell
PART II COUNTRY BY COUNTRY GUIDE
Australasia	85	(46)
Italy	131
Austria	90	(47)
Netherlands	137
Belgium & Luxembourg	95	(47)
Scandinavia	142
Canada	100	(48)
Spain & Portugal	148
France	106	(49)
Switzerland	155
Germany	116	(43)
Turkey	159
Greece	121	(40)
United Kingdom	161
Ireland	125	(44)
USA	169
Israel	128	(52)
Rest of the World	180	(3)
PART III DIRECTORY OF AGENCIES	183	(112)
PART IV APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 SAFETY IN THE HOME	295	(6)
Suffocation
Poisoning
Burns
Other Dangers
First Aid	296	(5)
Asthma
Bites
Burns and Scalds
Choking
Concussion
Cuts and Bruises
Dislocation
Drowning
Emergency Procedures/Resuscitation
Fits
Foreign Bodies
Fractures
Hysteria
Insect Stings
Nose Bleeds
Poisoning
Splinters
Sprains
Suffocation
APPENDIX 2 CHILDHOOD AILMENTS	301	(4)
General Ailments	301	(2)
Chicken Pox
Colds
Constipation
Coughs and Sore Throats
Croup
Diarrhea
Earache
Eczema
Head-lice
Stomach Pains
Teething or Toothache
Vomiting
General Care During Sickness	303	(2)
APPENDIX 3 COOKING FOR CHILDREN	305	(9)
APPENDIX 4 FUN AND GAMES	314	(5)
APPENDIX 5 EMBASSIES IN LONDON & WASHINGTON	319