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Au Pair Manual Kindly Provided by Host Family to needu Version 3 July 2014

Family name

Hours

Your hours are approximately 35 hours per week “on duty”. Sometimes weeks will be busier than

others.

Pocket Money (Pay)

We will pay you weekly every weekend in cash or into a bank account. Some au pairs have wanted to be paid every two weeks or every month. We’re happy to discuss the best way for you.

Bags

Going out bag

Before leaving the house, it’s wise to take _____ to the toilet, not just ask him if he needs to go.

Always: Water bottles

Towel/cloth (useful for drying slides or the boys!)

Sunscreen/ Hats (if hot weather)

Snack if out at 10am – or in case you’re late getting back and the boys are getting grizzly

Nappy bag containing o At least three nappies

o Wipes

o Plastic bags

o Tissues

o Nappy cream

o Change mat

The dog likes eating nappies and snacks from the bottom of the pram or the floor. Please hang up

the bag out of puppy’s way to avoid this problem.

Pram Rain Cover – if it remotely looks like rain!

To the park or outside play:

Sun hats – note in Winter not needed.

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Sunscreen – in winter not needed. The Australian sun is different to Europe. Kids can burn easily.

Playgroup bag:

Playgroup– (9.30-11.30 Thursday and Friday)

1 Piece of fruit per child to give to playgroup people

snack for 10am

Playgroup o - (1 or 2 days a week, Monday or Thursday 10-11.30)

($$$$ per term, which I will give you to give to XXXX when she requests it – just give me the receipt)

1 piece of fruit per child

Snack for 10am

Kinder bag:

Water bottle

2 changes of clothes. (2 pairs socks, 2 tops, 1 pair shorts one pair long pants, 1 jumper, 1 pair

undies)

Gumboots in plastic bag if it’s rainy or cold

Jacket

Snack for after kinder – usually ‘feet biscuits’ but we’re having trouble finding these in the

supermarket! We may have to find something else instead. Rice crackers and cheese, apple

cut up, half a banana, some nuts.

Food for ___ and _____

There are frozen meals in the freezer, which we would hope you help contribute to every few weeks.

We make muffins, pasta sauce, risotto, banana bread, pancakes etc.

_____ is currently off gluten so can have gluten free bread or pasta but not normal bread or pasta.

Try to always serve some kind of vegetable –

mashed potato and sweet potato mixed, - often found frozen in freezer.

frozen peas, carrots, corn, beans in the freezer. – place in a glass for 1 minute in the

microwave. Shake and place in again for another 30 seconds or minute if needed.

o Rinse in cold water so it’s not too hot.

Left over food in fridge

Cooked chicken (you can buy half a cooked chicken from the supermarket), mashed

potato/sweet potato and peas

Baked beans

Sushi

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Rice and tuna (small tin) and peas

Mini pizzas made on gluten free bases (for 4 year old) or normal bases for 2 year old with

tomato paste (we put left over tomato paste in bags in the freezer), cheese, mushrooms,

corn, ham or chicken

Soup with some rice mixed in – home made usually or there are some from Safeway you can

get 4 fresh soups for $10. Usually lamb and vegetable with barley.

Savoury Muffins or pizza swirls – in the freezer.

“Fried rice” – cook peas, corn, bacon, diced onion, in frypan and mix with rice.

Fried or scrambled egg with vegetables.

Rice noodles with vegetables and meat

Bolognaise sauce with rice and some cheese

Sometimes but not always we have fruit afterwards. You can also have cooked fruit – put in the

microwave or steam in steamer.

Half a banana

Sliced apple – half an apple.

Please don’t feed 2 year old grapes as he could choke.

Check any food heated up in the microwave and stir thoroughly to avoid mouth burns.

We’ve done this in the past. It’s horrible when it happens, so please be careful.

Snacks

Crusket with peanut butter or cheese or vegemite and cheese.

3 or 4 Rice crackers each – brush off the salt please first or we try to get seaweed ones which

seem to have less salt

Banana bread

Saltanas

Cheese

Fruit as above

Mini muffins

Dried fruit

Nuts– pecans, almonds, cashews

Gluten free Pancakes – in freezer

SAFETY

If riding a bike or scooter the year old must wear helmets

Put the strap around your hand when using the pram

Strap both boys into the pram

Please be careful where you keep your products and medication even in your room

Please leave any alcohol or medication out of sight and reach of the children

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Please switch off the toaster and kettle as year old can reach the kitchen bench

Please wash put knives back in the knife block immediately. Don’t leave them on the

bench to be washed or in the dish rack to dry. Too dangerous

If you leave the kitchen be mindful of the chairs and be aware year old can quickly get

to bench height. You can shut the door to help keep him out. Do a quick check of food or

knives on the bench if you’re going into the lounge to play.

BE CAREFUL OF THE BACK DOOR!!! It can lock you out – and did lock out one of our au

pairs!! Spare key in the water heater. Push the lock in when you go out so it can’t bolt

the door.

The stove is fiddly to turn off. NEVER blow out the flame (as our first au pair did!) and

check and double check the stove is fully turned off when finished.

Days Off

Your Days Off are your own free time for you to do as you please. However you are always welcome

to join us in whatever we are doing. We will usually invite you for anything special such as day trips,

outings to the shops or visiting family and friends etc.

Sometimes we’ll need babysitting on an evening (though we try to avoid weekends as it’s your main

social time) Thursday evening is our ‘date night’ so ask before organising cooking Thursday. If we go

out you don’t need to cook but it might be nice to use this time to ‘add to the freezer’ or something.

Sometimes we’ll tell you on the day if we aren’t organised. If you have plans then we don’t expect

you to change them, it’s our bad luck!

If you’re away from the house overnight, please tell us so we don’t worry.

If you can’t get home or are lost please call us and we will be happy to help you out, or come collect

you if needed.

Caring for the boys

Please do not hesitate to be firm with them when needed. We do not want you to smack/ spank:

bare handed or with any object. We also do not use hurtful language. If they do something that is

dangerous you can lightly tap across 1 hand. This usually is a shock and is all they need. We will also

remove them from the situation. If year old does something dangerous in the kitchen we will pick

him up and take him away with a firm “No, we don’t have tantrums/do silly things in the kitchen.” If

year old does something dangerous you can try the ‘holding technique’

http://www.saveoursleep.com/2010/02/04/the-holding-technique-for-no/

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Discipline

For pushing, hitting, biting, kicking year old, not listening to instructions –

Thinking Chair – One minute per age (4 minutes, 2 minutes). When time is over sit down and talk

through what was wrong. “Why did I put you on the thinking chair?” “Because I hit year

old/you/the puppy etc.” year old says sorry and gives a hug to you (or 2 year old!)

No tantrums in the kitchen. Immediately take boy involved out if they have a tantrum and say “No

tantrums in the kitchen, it’s too dangerous”.

If out and year old does not listen to you, strap him in the pram or say “You must hold onto the pram

or my hand for 4 minutes now.” – same process as thinking chair.

Boys must hold your hand or the pram while crossing the road.

Nappies Nappies are disposed of in plastic bags in the bathroom. Please put these straight in the rubbish bin

when it gets full

If year old has a particularly bad nappy he may need to be hosed off or wiped down with a cloth.

There is nappy cream if his bottom is sore. Some nappies smell fairly ‘sweet’ change these as a

matter of urgency as they can ‘burn’ his bottom and really hurt.

* * * Please wash out any clothes, cloths or towels with poo on them immediately and put them

straight into the washing machine. Don’t leave them for someone to find later! * * *

Manners It is very important to us that the boys grow up being thankful and polite.

They must say please and thank you and put it in a sentence.

“MORE MILK” is not acceptable! “Mummy, can I please have some more milk” is better!

Please praise them when they are polite, especially when done without being asked:

“Wow,_____! You are so polite! I love it when you say thank you!”

You should never accept the boys being rude to you, you are NOT their servant!

Encourage the boys to help you pack up their toys after using them. year old likes helping vacuum,

doing the dishes and cooking. Giving him a job he can do will make your life easier and enjoyable.

When the boys finish a meal they are expected to take their plate and spoon to the sink. They need

to say “Thank you for my lovely dinner, may I please leave the table?” before leaving.

Wet or Hot Day activities and other day activities There is a rain cover for the pram and you can use my rain jacket, which means you can go

and play in some places indoors.

Indoor play centre. We have a pass for entry kept ______. Let me know if you run out of

passes and we can buy another card or I can give you money.

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Baby chino at my brother’s Café: ______ address.

Story Time at library 11am (not sure what day!) Visiting the Library is a good activity to do

when the weather is too hot or raining too.

National Gallery of Victoria (in the city) has a children’s Corner. Catch a tram or train

Explore the City – take the free City Circle Tram or tourist bus

Visit a park to play

Meet up with boys’ friends or other au pairs and their kids

Visit the Botanical Gardens. There’s a children’s Garden – bring swimmers/spare clothes and

towel as the kids WILL get wet! There’s a stream and water play.

o Encourage boys to go in the stream FIRST as they’ll enjoy it more if they avoid the

fountains first because they get very cold when this happens. Go to the fountains on

the way out just before changing clothes and drying off.

Go for a walk or take the dog for a walk.

Ride bikes around the block

Do arts or crafts

Build a cubby house – we have tents or blankets you can put up in the lounge room

Puzzles from the toy library, painting with water or colouring in.

If raining, put on rain coats and boots and “jump in muddy puddles” in the carpark.

Daily Routine

There may be changes, which we will discuss, but the boys’ daily routine will go something like this;

7.00am 7.30am (you start)

Boys wakes will need nappy changed and change into clothes for the day. Watch TV until 7.30 or 7.45, depending on how much you need to get done! Mum/Dad give them milk. AP help dress boys and prepare boys’ breakfast. Clear up bench for the day and check bags are ready to go. Socks on asap!

8.00-8.30am Breakfast: Porridge – usually made the night before and can be heated up in a brown bowl. toast or Gluten free toast, eggs and mushrooms or bacon or vegetables **Please brush teeth after breakfast.**

10am Snack 12 Lunch 1.30pm 2 year old nap (though this will change) Buggaroo and ‘teddy’. Change/check

nappy, give a drink.

Before 4 year old nap or while 2 year old asleep get him to help you clean up some toys and tidy up a bit. No TV during this time for 4 year old. You can do quiet activities with him like puzzles, reading books, drawing, colouring, trains.

3pm Wake 2 year old if still asleep and give some milk and snack 4.45pm 5pm

If Mum/Dad not home, start preparing dinner for boys Dinner for boys (Mum and Dad usually home! You’re DONE!!)

5.30 Sometimes bath

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6pm Milk – 1 Thomas cup ¾ full for 2 year old, 1 coloured sippy cup for 4 year old (50 seconds in microwave then shaken a little) Boys may watch TV for ½ hour until 6.15

6.15pm

Clean teeth and get ready for bed. Story, sing song. 2 year old ‘teddy’ and buggaroo, 4 year old cow cup, teddy, pyjamas,

6.30pm Bed.

Weekly Routine

Monday Dad to work 7.30-7.45 Mum to work 7am to 5pm

7.30am start – help put clothes on the boys, change nappies, prepare breakfast, check bag. 8am breakfast Vacuum 9.30 – leave for playgroup 10 – 11.30am Playgroup. 12 Lunch 1.30pm 2 year old nap until 3. ‘Quiet time’ with 4 year old 3pm Snack/milk 4.45 prepare dinner for boys. 5pm Dinner – we will usually be home by dinner time but if it gets to 5pm and we’re not home, please make dinner for the boys. Monday is your cooking night. We usually eat around 7/7.30. Mum Goes to Aerobics (most Mondays when my neck isn’t sore so save me food and I eat when I get back)

Tuesday Mum to work until 5. Tutors until 6 Dad home at 5pm

7.30 start No playgroup. Stay at home or go out exploring. No fixed activity. Maybe find au pair to have play date? 5pm finish – note, Mum has staff meeting and teaches from home from 5-6pm and if there is ever a day you need to help out with boys’ dinner, it may be Tuesday if Dad gets stuck at work. This happens rarely though. Mum teaches at 5-6pm.

Wednesday Mum ‘home’

But will put any doctor’s appointments, lecturing, other appointments, book writing or meetings on Wednesday when needed. Sometimes I will just need your help with lunch, other times we will go out and you will be welcome to come. If you’re at home, this is a good chance to get some housework done without the kids being in your way.

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Thursday Mum to work 7am

7.30 start 8.30 leave to drop 4 year old at Kindergarten 2 year old play group (on the way back from Kinder) 10 – 11.30 Vacuum after lunch – distract 2 year old with toys! Clean Bathroom while 2 year old is asleep. Thursday is your cooking day. Sometimes Dad and I will go out for Date Night Thursdays, if this is the case you don’t need to cook.

Friday Mum leave 10am, home by 2/3pm

4 year old Kinder. I will leave the house at 9.30 to take the boys to the toy Library every 3 weeks. Other times I’ll leave and take the dog for a walk. This will give you some ‘boy free’ time to do any housework. YOU START 9.30 meet Mum and 2 year old at playgroup. Until 11.30am

Street Rubbish Collection We have 3 large bins. Each one is for a different purpose. Please put any full rubbish bags – from the kitchen or the bathroom – in the bins outside. WEDNESDAY night the bins are placed onto the street for rubbish collection on Thursday. EVERY week is Rubbish (green) Every other week is either Recycling (blue) and Garden (the other colour!).

General Cleanliness and Order

Please do what you can to keep the house mess from taking over! You will need to do the dishes

about four times a day!!

Please tidy up kids’ toys once a day and encourage them to tidy up before changing activities

(eg. Pack up the trains before reading a book or playing with the blocks)

Please tidy up kids’ room and check for dirty clothes which you can put in the laundry

Housework

Every now and then there will be one ‘bigger’ job or ‘rarer’ job that you may be asked to do. Some

examples:

Dusting – surfaces in the kitchen, lounge (TV, shelve above fire place – you’ll need a chair to get up

high - book shelves, DVD player etc.), piano

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Clean under the kitchen and bathroom sink. While the boys are out take everything out and wipe

out. Put back tidy.

Mop kitchen and eating area

Tidy up boys’ clothes in draws/cupboards (I’m happy to help with this)

Wipe clean the kitchen cupboard doors (4 year old loves helping with this)

Cook a freezer meal for the boys – could be a pasta sauce, muffins, whatever’s needed.

Vacuuming Please vacuum twice a week – we have a dog with a lot of hair!

A dustpan and broom can be found under the kitchen sink.

When the vacuum bag is full it needs emptying, which I can do. I try to do this every few weeks, but

let me know if the vacuum is not working well and I can clean it out.

Mopping Please mop once every month or six weeks. The whole house doesn’t really need mopping but the

Kitchen and the eating area can get very grubby.

Vacuum first, place chairs on table.

Do this at a time when the boys are out of the house, or let 4 year old help you while 2 year

old is asleep.

If anything is spilt clean it up with a wet cloth and cleaner – there are old cloth nappies in the

bathroom – immediately. This will make mopping needed less often.

Mop and bucket is stored in the laundry. Mop liquid under the kitchen sink

Laundry We will wash our own laundry. But hanging out or bringing in washing would be most helpful to us. Putting the boys’ clothes back in their cupboards would make me most grateful. You are responsible for washing your own clothes and linen. Please use the outside clothes line instead of the electric dryer, as the dryer uses a lot of electricity and is expensive to run. We use the drier when the weather is very wet for a long period of time.

Bathroom

Cleaned once a week.

Rubber gloves and cleaning products in the cupboard under the sink

Put the shower curtain up so it’s out of your way

Move away all bottles and items from under the mirror and near the bath

Spray cleaner around bath and tiles and leave sit for a while – 10 minutes

Put ‘toilet duck’ in the toilet and leave to sit for a while

Wipe out basin and all surfaces of the sink area

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Clean the mirror – blue mirror cleaner

Move all things from the shelf near the mirror and near the bath and clean surfaces

Use an old toothbrush to clean the tiles and BETWEEN the tiles especially

Use old toothbrush to clean around the taps

Scrub the bath with a scrubbing brush – there are stains that will not come off but try your

best!

Wipe all tiles and surfaces outside the bath

Wipe the floor

Wipe the change table thoroughly

Wipe the toilet bowl on the outside and all outside areas of the toilet

Scrub the inside of the toilet and wipe the toilet seat – both wooden and white areas

Scrub any bath toys that are looking dirty

** Remember the back toilet too in the laundry!

We have water restriction most of the year, so please keep showers short. Please use the bath in

your own time, when the kids are not your sole responsibility.

* * Please do not use the bathroom between 7am-7.45am between 6pm-6.45pm * * *

Kitchen

Please keep clean and tidy. Kitchen bench tops, sinks and stovetops and floors must all be wiped

clean. Any toys, clothes or things that don’t belong on the bench, please put away.

Clean up any of your dishes

Wash the dishes four times a day. They may be left in the drier to dry but will need to be put

away before doing the next lot of dishes.

‘Deep’ clean once a week

Wash dish rack top and bottom – use old toothbrush and bicarb soda and vinegar

Scrub entire sink and taps (especially under the dish rack)

Scrub bench top with bicarb and vinegar

Clean stove

o Take off elements and wipe

o wipe down stove top

o Take off black stove racks and wash

o Wipe down splash back and side of oven

o Wipe oven door

Clean microwave

o Take out plate and wash

o Wipe out all sides of microwave inside and out

o Wipe top of Fridge

Wipe top of range hood

Microwave cloths for 10 seconds to kill bacteria

Dishwasher:

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We rarely use the dishwasher but if you have a big load, you can. Dishwasher ‘tablets’ under the sink.

DO NOT place in the dishwasher: Thin plastic cups, wooden spoons or boards, sharp knives or pots

and pans.

- Turn dishwasher on under sink

*** Turn off after use as the boys will play with the buttons and put it on if it’s not turned off***

- Scrape all chunky food bits off plates etc. before loading dishwasher

- Dirty surfaces face down and not blocked by other things

- Check everything is able to drain fully, i.e. upside down or angled so that no water can collect

- Lightweight or small items are placed in the top

- Check no object blocks the rotors

- Enough space is allowed between each item for water flow and drainage, and

- Clean out the filters about once every few uses

Caring for Dog

Dog can steal the kids’ food! Please keep him out of the eating area when they are eating.

Your life will be easier if you keep dog out of the kitchen when you’re cooking

Dog can eat any poo that is left around on the grass. If you don’t like this please pick it up

using the plastic bags near the back door.

If the kids are playing outside, you may want to pick up any poo before they run around so it

doesn’t get on their feet.

Dog has one cup of dry food with water in the morning and at night. Dad does this most of

the time.

Dog has a walk twice a day. You’re welcome to walk him with the kids in the pram but I

would not walk the dog AND Have 4 year old on a bike! 4 year old would like to hold the

leash while you walk – don’t let him. Dog can pull and we’re concerned he would hurt 4 year

old when this happens.

Dog is our responsibility but we do ask that if we are away and have organised it with you, you feed

him as per his schedule.

Dog’s Food – is found in the plastic container near the back door. The cup to measure food is inside

this box.

Heating and Cooling

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We have a fan and heater for your room. Please only use the heater when you are in your room. It is

easy to forget and leave it on, and this uses a LOT of electricity, so please be mindful of this and

check before leaving.

Only use fan and heater when you are in the room.

Please leave your window and curtains closed when it’s hot.

Leave the door to the kitchen closed in hot weather (to keep the cool air in) and cold

weather (to keep the warm air in) as we don’t heat or cool the kitchen area.

On hot days, especially when we’ve warned you it will be very hot, close up the house –

leave all doors closed and blinds down. Keep the kitchen door closed.

The house will stay cool if we keep it closed up for about 3-4 days. After that it can get

uncomfortable so keeping the cool air in is important for everyone’s comfort.

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Meals

Your meals are provided when you are with us. Please be mindful that we are a family on a budget.

Breakfast is ‘self-serve’, we usually have porridge.

Lunchtimes when we are at work you may prepare lunch for yourself from whatever is available, or

eat leftovers saved from a previous meal. If you have particular items, you can place them on the

shopping list. Special things are ok sometimes but more expensive things become ‘sometimes’ foods.

Mum/Dad cook on Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday, we ‘fend for ourselves’, often having soup or

eggs, something simple. Sometimes take away. The weekend meals are usually unplanned as most of

our au pairs go out or are happy to cook for themselves. We also do our own thing.

Help yourself to whatever is in the fridge or pantry but if you use the last of anything then please

write it on the shopping list – kept on top of the fridge.

If you have something you have purchased for yourself, please put you name on it and put it in the

pantry or refrigerator/ freezer. Please hide any chocolate from the boys (and me!) – up high in the

pantry out of sight. Don’t eat things you don’t want the kids to eat in front of them.

Cooking Your nights to cook are Monday and Thursday. On Monday I often go to aerobics, so leave food for

me when I come back. It is a good idea to cook a big meal so we have leftovers for the boys and the

freezer and for lunches.

When you cook, please do what dishes you can while you’re cooking. Dad will wash any left over

dishes at the end of the meal.

4 year old loves helping cook. He is allowed to do so. He can use a butter knife to chop most things.

Be aware of safety with hot or sharp things.

We are not an extravagant family when it comes to food. Please look for items that are on special (on

sale or cheaper). Some vegetables can be very expensive at certain times of the year. Some meat can

be very expensive. We rarely eat seafood.

Dad does not like: Soup (for dinner), seafood, things with a lot of cream.

Over summer we tend to eat lighter – pasta salad, salads, grilled meats and salad, tacos or burritos,

Over winter we can have roast meat, pasta, casseroles, chicken in sauce with rice

If you have doubts please let us know. We have some good cookbooks and can help with ideas.

Grocery Shopping

You will need to put ingredients you need on the shopping list SUNDAY so we can buy what you

need. If you forget anything you’re welcome to shop and we will reimburse you. Please buy milk

when you see we’re running low. Also anything written on the shopping list.

Leave shopping list on top of the stove. When things run low, write these on the list

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Make sure there is enough milk for the next day. If not buy this.

Keep receipts so we can reimburse you or keep track

o We are happy to pay for any ‘regular’ food. Any treats (chocolate, juice or soft drink

etc) or extras are at your own expense.

Au Pair Bedroom

Your room is your own private space. We will not go in there unless we are putting clothes on your

bed or putting linen in the linen cupboard. The kids are only allowed in with your permission. They

will wander in if you leave the door open though. Please leave it shut if you don’t want them to visit.

We will knock – 2 year old will say ‘knock knock’! - before entering and encourage the boys to

respect your space.

We don’t mind you taking food and drink into your room, but please ensure there are no spills and

no dirty dishes are to be left in your room. In Australia we have Ants and Cockroaches, which love to

find food. If you wish to store personal food items please use a plastic container to help prevent

unwanted visitors.

If you are in your room and require privacy then close the door, but otherwise you are welcome to

leave the door open so that you are not so isolated from the family.

Illness

If 4 year old is feeling unwell and has to stay home from Kindergarten then we will ask you to take

care of him so we can go to work. If boys are seriously ill then Mum/Dad will stay home with him. If

you get sick, we will make other arrangements to look after the boys so you can for rest and recover.

We agree to pay your pocket money during any sick leave period (maximum 4 days paid).

Personal and Medical Expenses

Personal items such as toiletries, shampoo, toothpaste, medicines and any medical expenses are

your responsibility. If you are concerned about incurring large medical expenses as a result of

accident, injury or serious illness then you should consider taking out suitable health insurance for

the duration of your time in Australia.

Of course first aid items etc. are available for your use and they can be found in the big black box on

the shelf near the back door.

Guests

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You can invite friends or other au pairs to visit for meals, etc. if you ask and let us know in advance. If

you would like to have friends or relatives visit from your home country then they are welcome to

visit and share meals and other activities with us but they should arrange their own overnight

accommodation. In some limited circumstances we may allow visitors to stay in our home, so please

discuss any such plans with us well in advance.

You are welcome to have friends come over and stay. It is polite to let us know but if it is late and too

far for them to go home, we would prefer they were safe staying the night than travelling home late.

We do not want any male visitors for overnight stays please.

Curfew

There is none! Be out as late as you want provided this does not impact your alertness with the boys

during working hours. However, it is asked to consider the remainder of the family for noise levels.

If you intends to be away from the house for some time and especially overnight, please tell us you

us so we don’t worry. Please be mindful of the amount of energy needed to look after two young

boys and be fit for work the next day.

Alcohol, Drugs and Medications

Please don’t drink alcohol while on duty. If you drink while you are out socialising then it is not our

business but we expect you to be fit for duty the following morning if you’re working.

All medications must be kept out of sight and out of the boys’ reach.

Smoking

Our home and car are SMOKE FREE. Dad has allergies so please be mindful that the smell of smoke

on your clothes after going out and in your room can make him feel sick.

Please don’t smoke or have friends smoke in front of our children or other children.

Do not allow the children see or reach any cigarettes, butts or lighter.

Security

You will be given keys to the house. Whenever you leave the house please ensure that all doors are

properly closed and locked. Please return all keys on your departure.

If you lose any keys please inform us as soon as possible. Replacement / Locksmith costs will be at

your cost.

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The back gate must be shut firmly so that the dog, does not escape. He will get out if he’s able and it

would be heartbreaking if something were to happen to him because of this.

We are close to the city. We have all sorts of people passing. Your bedroom window is right next to a

busy road and people can see you if you’re in the room at night with curtains open. When you have

your light on in your room at night it’s best to leave the curtains shut.

Socialising

We encourage you to socialise with your friends and meet with other au pairs. You can meet them

through Facebook groups _______ _____ _________.

Once you have established a group of local friends, you will soon find you have a busy social life and

plenty to do in your spare time.

Other Employment

If you wish to seek part time employment on some evenings or weekends, we will support this decision. The condition is that any part time employment will not interfere with our schedule as a family.

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Leaving

Thank you for your hard work and for looking after our beautiful boys. You have made our lives

richer for being with us and part of our family! We are excited for you and your next adventure in

Australia and we wish you all the very best. There are just a few things we would like you to do

before you leave, because as you will recall, your room was spotless when you arrived, and we

would appreciate it to be left like that when you leave.

Bedroom

Remove sheets from the bed Wash all sheets and fold them neatly and put them in the linen closet/wardrobe

Leave the quilt and pillows on the bed Remove any decorations from the walls, remove any adhesive tape / blu tack left behind

Vacuum the entire room, including under the bed (move the bed if necessary), under and behind other furniture

Empty out the drawers, vacuum or wipe out the inside if they’re dusty

wipe the table and lamp Wipe window sills and clean windows with window cleaner

Empty the closet/wardrobe and return all hangers neatly to the closet rod

Please do not leave anything behind in your room for the next au pair (if there is one) unless you check with us first

Bathroom

Wash your towels and fold and put them away.

Clear any of your toiletries and beauty products from the bathroom

Other items: Mail, Telephone message on house phone, keys, alarms. library books, library card, videos, random stuff

Please return your house keys

Please leave us a street address where your mail can be forwarded or if anything is delivered here after you leave.

Go to the post office and fill out a card there so that the post office can automatically forward your mail sent to our PO Box to your new street address.

If you have any outstanding library books, please return these to the library.

Be sure to let your bank know that your address is changed, you don’t want to miss any important documents.

Finishing up your au pair responsibilities (this can be done on the Friday)

You should leave all of the kids’ things that you are responsible for in a neat and tidy order. The idea here is to leave everything ready for the next au pair when she arrives

Kids’ bedrooms

Put fresh sheets on the kids’ beds. Wash the old sheets, fold them neatly, and put them away in the linen cupboard

Tidy up their bedroom

Other areas Please leave these areas very neat.

In all of the places around the house that the au pair is responsible for keeping tidy, gather all library books, laundry, shoes, etc., and put away wherever they go.

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It may seem like an obvious thing to say but find time to talk to the boys – especially 4 year old -

about your leaving. Tell them a little bit about where you’re going and that he will have a wonderful

time with the new au pair. 4 year old is now at the age where he forms real attachments with our au

pairs and he gets sad and confused if one day you’re here and the next not. We do our best to

prepare him but try and say a special goodbye. You have been a huge part of the boys’ lives for this

time and they will miss you.