Job: Childcare needed in Pulheim

Hi,

We are a German and Canadian family and we are looking for an Au Pair for our 2 year old son. We live in Pulheim, a small town just outside of Cologne. You can either live in or out. We need someone that can work 50 hours per week and is flexible.

We need someone to start on June 1 and even a babysitter for about 2 hours per day would help us out until we found someone full time.

Please PM me if you are interested or know someone who could help.

Thanks,

E

Hey there,
The best way to get an Au Pair is through an Agency or a Website. I signed up to www.greataupair.com and a found a perfect family. (actually, they found me!) Through an agency, you will have to pay a fee. Another website is www.aupairworld.com.

Au Pairs need a special working visa that entitles them to be living and working in Germany. A contract is mandatory in all EU countries, though the rules of the Au Pair contract differs from country to country and German state to state.

For NRW, Au Pairs can work no more then 35 hours a week unless they are paid extra at an agreement. The 50 hours a week you're gunning for may be a hindrance in your search for an Au Pair.
The minimum wage is 260 a month for a live-in Au Pair. Live-out Au Pairs need to be paid enough to cover the rent and overheads of their accommodation plus enough to buy food and live comfortably. I am paid 350, but I do the ironing and all washing.
A live in Au pair is expected to receive a room with a bed and heater, access to bathroom and required food.
All expenses relating to the children need to be covered by the family, not the Au Pair. i.e transport costs, food.
Four weeks paid holiday leave as well as bank/national holidays are given to the Au Pair.
A contract can be terminated at any time for any reason, however 2 weeks notice for both parties must be given.
Contracts can be added to/subtracted from and edited as long as both parties agree to the changes. For example, my contract states 2 nights babysitting a week, if needed, which I agreed upon.
One and a half days off together is mandatory for Au Pairs. The most common situation is for Au Pairs to work weekdays, and have weekends off.
Health Insurance is mandatory for the Au Pair, paid for by the family.
Light housecleaning is expected of an Au Pair, such as tidying, vacumning and cleaning up after dinner.
Things like a cellphone and transport cards are not mandatory in a contract, however I have had both of those given to me for the duration of my stay, and am expected to keep my phone topped up at all times in case of emergencies.

I have many Au Pair friends in Europe (we tend to find each other!), and the experiences from them have been varied. I am in a position where I know my job, yet am flexible to change, and don't mind working a few extra hours a week. This goes both ways, my family have no problem with me taking off for a long weekend, missing a Friday in the process. I have a few friends who's families have turned out to be total despots, intimidating their Au pairs to work extra hours and underpaying them.

On the other hand, I have also heard many stories about Au Pairs running off with husbands, refusing to clean up after themselves, going on holidays without telling their families and one that told a child she would never see her Mummy again if she didn't stop crying!

It is all a matter of finding the right person for the job. Unfortunately, some Au Pairs have unrealistic expectations of their job to be easier then it is, and some families expect a wonder woman who should be up at all hours and be able to mind read.

Theres a bit of lingo that comes with this domain: Difference between an Au Pair and a Nanny?

A Nanny is more a full time position, and is paid a decent amount more. A Nanny can be expected to be called upon at any time for whatever feasible reason (all to an extent of course).

An Au Pair plays more of a family role, especially the live-in kind. As hours are around the 35 a week mark, Au Pairs are often hired by mothers who have gone back to work and need someone to look after the kids after Kindergarten/school, and before they get home from work.

Au Pairing for me has been a positive experience, not without its rough patches - days where the kids are difficult, days where I'm a bit homesick, but without the fantastic family I have I would not have extended my stay another 4 months, and be having the blast I am now! I take my job seriously, and genuinely love and care for my two young boys.

Any questions, please don't hesitate to PM.

Hi,

I am interested in your job offer.. I am an 28 year old female who live in the U.S. I will be moving to Germany with in the next few months with my boyfriend who is being transferred to Germany because of his job. We will be there for 2 years.. I am interesting in talking to you regarding your job offer..

thanks

Missy

Hello, my name is chanetta and i am a 23 year old america living here in bonn.I am more than interested in babysitting for you. I have experience with children and very flexible(available ASAP).

my email address is chanettah@hotmail.com

Hoping to hear from you:)

hello my name is

Hello,
I am interested in knowing more about the position that you are offering. I am an American living near Cologne. I love spending time with children and have an 11 month old baby. Now I am looking for an opportunity to work outside the home again. If you are interested, please email me at amy.wiebe@hotmail.com Thanks!