AU PAIR in SPAIN
 

WELCOME TO SPAIN!

¡BIENVENIDOS A ESPAÑA!

Planet Au Pair
C/Los Centelles 45, Pta. 11
46006 Valencia
España
+34 96 320 6491
+34 96 320 7832
Cell/Móvil: +34 657 383 490
  info@planetaupair.com

We are still accepting applications for summer 2008

Under our Au Pair in Spain program, Au Pairs are welcomed into the homes of  Spanish Host Families as a family member for a 1, 2, 3 (only in summer), 6, 9 or 12 month cultural exchange. In summer we have stays starting at one month. Au pairs participate in cultural exchange, immersed in Spanish life, and they assist with child care and teaching the children their language. We only accept au pairs for our Au Pair in Spain program who are nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and the European Union.

The Au Pair will live with a carefully screened Host Family who will treat the Au Pair as a family member, not as domestic help.

Au Pairs will be given the phone numbers of other Au Pairs in the area from many areas of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Opportunities to study at a local educational institution are available with a variety of curriculum choices.

Every consideration will be given to the Au Pair’s preferences concerning ages of children and special requests.

Pocket money: Au Pair, up to five hours a day, five days a week: 65 € a week, Au Pair Plus, up to eight hours a day, five days a week: 95 € a week.

Private room.

Provide approximately 25 hours of quality childcare or childcare activities per week as an au pair, 40 hours a week as an au pair plus. Most families expect au pairs to teach their children the native language of the au pair. It is the most important reason Spanish families want to host an au pair.

Commit to a 1, 2, 3 (only in summer), 6, 9 or 12 month program. In summer, stays of one to three months are possible. At other times, nine or more months are preferred or be able to stay in Spain until the end of May, middle of June, regardless of when you arrive.

The Host Family will accept the Au Pair as a member of the family and not as an employee or boarder.

The Host Family will provide the Au Pair with a private room and full board, as well as pocket money of at least 65 € per week throughout his or her stay.

The Host Family understands that the primary function of the program is a cultural exchange. As a result, they will allow the Au Pair to attend classes and participate in cultural opportunities.

The Host Family will allow two days free per week, usually the weekends.

The Host Family will provide two weeks paid vacation for every six months of service. Vacations can only be taken after providing six months service, not before.

1.  The Au Pair will provide of up to approximately 25 hours of childcare and childcare related housekeeping for the Host Family. (40 hours if au pair plus).

2.  As a member of the family, the Au Pair will be expected to share in the usual household chores along with other family members such as assisting in cleaning up after a family meal, your own room, pick up after smaller children, bathe and dress small children and feed the children when the parents are not available. Heavy housework is not the responsibility of the Au Pair.

3.  The Au Pair is to be of assistance to the Host Family and in every way try to fulfill the duties expected. Planet Au Pair will be available to assist both parties, and will assist to resolve any disputes as to appropriate expectations.

4. Au Pairs are responsible for any personal expenses incurred while living in the home of the Host Family. This would include telephone bills, Spanish lessons, etc.

1.  Be between 18 and 30 years old.
2.  Have some child care experience.
3.  Be a non-smoker and non-drug user. Some families will accept smokers.
4.  Speak basic conversational Spanish (not mandatory).
5.  Be able to make a 1, 2, 3 (only in summer), 6, 9 or 12 month commitment or be able to stay in Spain until the June 15th, regardless of when you arrive. In summer, stays can be as short as one month. Most summer placements happen after June 15th when the children in Spain get out of school, be they one month stays or three month stays.

Planet Au Pair is an American run au pair agency, founded in January, 1992.  We were formed with the purpose of facilitating opportunities for young people to visit and learn about different countries in order to better understand the peoples, and become familiar with the history and culture of each country as well as to improve their language proficiency.

Planet Au Pair offers the opportunity to experience the Spanish culture with the safe and secure environment of a Spanish Host Family. The program strives to cultivate better intercultural awareness among participants and bring about a greater understanding among nations.

The staff at Planet Au Pair are always only a phone call away. We are always available for counsel, assistance and continual support during the length of your stay. We are also available to mediate in the event of a dispute or disagreement between the Au Pair and the Host Family.

If you wish to study while you are in Spain, the host family must allow time for this activity, be it Spanish language classes or any other educational pursuit. It is not, however, mandatory.

Through our Au Pair in Spain Program, every Au Pair is welcomed to Spain as a member of a Spanish family. The relationship that develops between the Au Pair and the Host Family is one that lasts a lifetime. Au Pairs can explore the exciting culture of Spain while enjoying the warmth and security of a stable, secure family life.

Host Families accepted by Planet Au Pair are thoroughly screened to ensure a safe, comfortable home for every Au Pair. Each prospective Host Family must submit a lengthy application, undergo an in-depth interview and sign a written statement agreeing to abide by the program’s guidelines.

Once a Host Family has been selected for you, we send you the family's details and send the family yours. The Host Family will then call you on the telephone. After speaking with one another, the Host Family and the Au Pair decide together whether or not they are well suited for each other. We just make it easier for both parties. Planet Au Pair will refer Au Pairs to families; and, vice versa, who have similar interests and backgrounds, but the final decision is always up to the Au Pair and the Host Family.

In the unlikely event that the Au Pair is dissatisfied with the family; or, if the family is dissatisfied with the au pair, Planet Au Pair will help in attempting to resolve any problems. If the problems are insolvable, the Au Pair can choose to be placed with another Host Family, provided the Au Pair has followed the program’s guidelines. 

Q. What if I get homesick ?

A. It is only natural to feel homesick at the beginning  of your stay in Spain, but for those with enough maturity, this passes quickly. If you have serious doubts about being able to live away from home and friends for an extended period of time, wait until you are more comfortable with the idea.

Q.  I would like to go to Spain as an Au Pair, but the only experience I have is babysitting. Should I still apply ?

A.  Certainly, the more experience you have, the better your chances of placement are. However, there are other qualities that are also important for placement, such as maturity, responsibility, an interest in cultural enrichment and a real desire to work with children. If you feel you have some of these qualities, please submit your application. We will do our best to find you an appropriate family.

Q.  When should I apply ?

A.  You may start the program any time you wish. It will typically take up to a month to process your application, although placements are usually made in far less time. The sooner we have your application, the better the chances of being placed on the dates you desire. 

Q. I do not speak Spanish. Should I apply?

A. Yes, we can usually match you with a family who speaks at least some English, German or French. You will find that you will pick up Spanish quite quickly in a total immersion situation such as living with a host family as an au pair. There is no better way to learn a language than to go to a country where it is spoken.

Q. What's the difference between an nanny and an au pair?

Proper nannies have been to a nanny school and usually work for a family under a work contract for an extended period of time. Au pairs are young people who want to travel for a shorter time, learn a new language, culture and share their own language and culture with their host family. In short, a nanny position is a job and an au pair position is a cultural exchange.

Q. Why do I have to pay a fee? Other agencies have offered to place me for free.

A. As the old saying goes, "If something is free, you probably get what you pay for". If an agency does not charge you, you are not a client of that agency. That agency's client is only the family, NOT you. We consider both the families AND the au pairs to be our clients and do our best to take care of both parties. And payment is not due until you have accepted a family and vice versa.

Q. I have heard of au pairs who have contacted families and have not had to pay an agency. What is the advantage of going through an agency when I can find families on the Internet by using automatic website-based searches?

A. That would be fine if you are lucky and find a nice family on your own. But what if the family turns out to be one who exploits au pairs and is really looking for cheap domestic help? Or worse? Who can you turn to? A good, experienced agency will screen potential families before accepting them into their au pair program and is available after you are placed if for some reason you are placed with a family that is unsuitable for you. We also provide a human touch and personal contact to candidates and families that the Internet cannot offer.

Q. I am male. Can I apply?

A. Although we support equal opportunities, there is almost no demand for male au pairs except native English speakers and it may take time for placement.

Q. We are a couple who wants to be placed together. Is this possible?

A. No, there is no demand for couples.

Q. Can you provide references?

A. Yes, please click here for references.
 

Placement Fee: 116 euros, payable upon placement and prior to arrival. For currency exchange rates, click here

Health Insurance:  Your responsibility. Some European Union countries have treaties with Spain. Check with your health provider to see if your country has one. See our Cool Links page for an insurance company who have agents who speak English and Spanish.

Transportation: Your responsibility. See our Cool Links page for some links to online travel sites.

Language classes: Your responsibility.

Payment can only be made by bank transfer. Once you have been accepted by a family and you have also accepted the family, you need to pay the registration fee prior to your departure for Spain. You will be sent an invoice with bank wire instructions.

1.  Read this web site thoroughly and complete the application form neatly in black ink.
2.  Either fax the documents and email the photos or send them all by regular mail.
3.  When our office receives your application, you will be contacted with information regarding the status of your file.
4.  Your application will be circulated among Host families that have been selected for you.
5.  When we find you a suitable family, you will be sent the family's details and the family will call you on the phone. 
6.  Once accepted by a Host Family - and you accept them, you will need to make transportation arrangements and communicate them to our office and send us the registration fee. 
7.  Upon arrival in your target country, you will be picked up at the airport by your Host Family. After you settle in, give us a call to let us know how you are doing.

  Application, properly filled out.

  1 passport size photo (smiling!)

  4 children photos (you with children)

  A “Dear Family” letter, in Spanish, stating who you are, why you want to go to Spain, your hobbies, interests, experience with children, any special considerations (such as diet), etc.. Please do NOT get help with the letter so the family does not think you know more Spanish than you do. If your knowledge of Spanish is zero or near zero, write the letter in English.

  2 or 3 reference letters. At least one should be a child care reference. In Spanish or English.

  Medical Report (a letter from your family doctor on his letterhead is fine).

  Police Report (go to your local police department and tell them you need a document saying you have no criminal record for "travel" purposes).

  Photocopy of your driver’s license (not mandatory, we can place you even if you don't drive).

  Photocopy of your passport.

  Photocopies of any degrees, high school diploma or other qualifications such as first aid or child-care courses.

Please send the photos by email or snail mail. Please send all other documents by fax or snail mail.

We are still accepting applications for summer 2008
 

To apply to be an au-pair in Spain with Planet Au Pair, print out the form on this page . Then mail or fax the completed and signed form, along with the photos (photos may be sent by email or snail mail) and other documents, to: