Au Pair in Spain: answers to questions
Au Pair in Spain
Immerse yourself in Spanish culture! Work with children, improve your language skills and travel around Spain. A great opportunity for intercultural exchange and to get acquainted with traditions.
What level of English is required to participate in the program?
To participate in the program, it is desirable to have a language level of at least Intermediate or higher.
Is knowledge of Spanish required to participate in the program?
To participate in the program, it is desirable to have basic knowledge of Spanish. However, this will not be a key criterion for admission to the program. There are families that are willing to accept only those who know English.
Is it necessary to have a higher education?
The main requirement for enrollment in the program — a completed secondary education (school). Higher education will be an advantage, but it is not the main criterion.
How to pay for the program?
After signing the contract at the Center, the registration fee of $150 must be paid within 7 calendar days.
What counts as experience working with children?
Working as a teacher, as a nanny, working at a camp, participating in events, and others — any position where the potential participant directly worked with children.
How does the search and placement with a family work?
Having filled out all the necessary forms and provided the required documents, participants of the Au Pair in Spain program are added to lists of participants that are available to families. When a family chooses an Au Pair, an interview is scheduled between them, during which they discuss the details of the work.
Can an Au Pair ‘decline’ a family after speaking with them?
Yes, program participants can do this, but only a limited number of times. Before doing so, the Au Pair should inform their IEC office about the situation and consult with them on whether they should decline the family.
Can I choose the family or the city where I want to work?
Au Pairs cannot choose a family or a city.
How many work days off will I have?
An Au Pair has 1-2 days off per week, and 2 weeks of vacation per year of participation in the program.
What tasks will the Au Pair have?
It depends on each family individually, but in general — participants in the program play with the children and take them for walks. They can help with homework, may drive the children to school and pick them up from there. They may cook for the kids and help the family with household chores. The Au Pair’s schedule and responsibilities are discussed and agreed upon together with the family.
What kind of children will the Au Pair work with?
The age of the children under care usually corresponds to the Au Pair’s work experience.
Can I change families?
If for some reason a participant in the Au Pair program cannot get along with the family, they should first contact the program sponsor for advice. They will help resolve the situation and, if necessary, try to find a new family. What you should not do is suddenly leave the family without warning anyone about the situation!
Can you participate in the program if the Au Pair already has a host family in Spain?
This option is possible under certain conditions. More details about this procedure can be obtained from an IEC representative.
