Becoming an au pair was previously associated with moving overseas to do so, but this is certainly not the case anymore. Au pair jobs in South Africa have become a fun way to earn a living while studying, but also has the potential to become a career with great earning potential.
How to become an au pair
If you are wondering where to begin in finding the right family, sign up with a local agency. This will ensure that you find a family that fits your personality and requirements. Before signing up, be sure to understand the basic requirements for employment and whether the position is to live out or to stay with the family in their home.
To give you a good idea of what is required to sign up to au pair agencies, we have depicted a list below.
Registering with Fab* Au Pair Agency requires the following:
- A copy of your CV
- A copy of your ID
- A copy of your driver’s license and your own transport (Should there be an emergency, you will be able to transport the child to a doctor or hospital)
- Childcare experience
- Valid and traceable references (You will be asked to provide contact numbers and/or written references)
- R150 Registration fee (Admin and marketing of your profile)
- A First Aid Course is recommended but is not a prerequisite
The Registration Process
When signing up to an au pair agency, you will be required to have an initial face-to-face interview with the agency. Come to the interview prepared – spend some time thinking about your experience and skills that will be relevant to au pairing, and well as any additional skills such as first aid experience or swimming skills that could be an added bonus in getting your foot through the door.
If you do not yet have experience with children, volunteer your time at an orphanage or at your local children’s church. This will give you the opportunity to care for a combination of age groups and assist in building your skills. The experience will also contribute towards building up your patience and ability to be kind and loving, yet firm at the same time. This will also present an opportunity for you to get a reference to use in your application.
If you want to work as a child caregiver, above everything else, you need to have a genuine love for children in order to succeed as an au pair. Remember that parents will be entrusting you with their most prized possession, so assigning you to care for their precious gifts is a big step – so honesty and integrity are essential requirements for this role.
Be sure to demonstrate responsibility and reliability to the parents and be warm, caring and friendly to the children. You will be that child’s mentor and setting the right example for them will play a strong role in who they become.