To begin with, let's be done with jokes about young Swedish girls with long blonde hair. The connotations of employing the services of an aupair endured somewhat of a sleazy reputation, with the emphasis on extracurricular activities rather than on help with childcare. Either being or employing an aupair can be a rewarding experience, and it is primarily aimed at creating a symbiotic relationship between the two parties. The role of the aupair differs from a nanny, or childminder in many ways. Firstly, the role does not warrant any formal qualification, and may not necessarily require any experience either, depending on the employer's wishes. Secondly, the employment terms stipulate that it is a live-in position with all food and lodgings paid for, and that the hired help will be given a token amount of money for recreational use. It is expected in the situation that the aupair will be granted adequate time away from the home to study and to socialise. The duties expected involve housekeeping, school runs and caring for children. In return the host family are expected to provide a supportive environment for the aupair. It must be realised that aupairs are usually young and away from their home country for the first time and the purpose of their choice of employment is to gain experience in a foreign country and not necessarily to gain childcare experience. For a more formal arrangement, it may be worth considering hiring a nanny or childminder. The advantages of employing this type of help lies in the level of qualifications and experience that have been attained. This is ideal if there are very young children or babies that need to be cared for. A nanny or childminder will also be aware of current trends and changes in childcare recommendations including national curriculum topics and targets. Although an aupair is a value for money solution for live in help, the services of a live in nanny are more appropriate if the primary carers are away for long periods of time. This is not only in consideration of the type of care that will be provided for a child, but more for the demands being placed on the employee. If duties are to include childcare and housework, the workload may be too demanding for a young and inexperienced person that has left their family home for the first time. One mistake that must not be made with either, is expecting Mary Poppins to arrive, brolly in one hand and magic carpet bag in the other. If you are considering enlisting the services of a nanny, housekeeper or a mixture of both, you will understand the demands of the job. It is this understanding that should steer you in the right direction when it comes to hiring help. Although a childcare agency will attempt to meet your needs exactly, ultimately the choice is yours when it comes to the final decision on who you employ. Be assured that the vetting process that is used by the agency has done the hard work on your behalf, and that all the prospective employees are from a sound background; leaving you to figure out the more fundamental aspects of whether to employ a nanny or aupair.
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