info@duran-nannies.ch 
Information Packet for Hiring Au-Pairs
Information for Au-Pairs
+41 44 830 31 83
Information for nannie & au pair applicants
Why come to Switzerland
Switzerland is the best place for being an au-pair or nanny.
Switzerland is a very safe country! It’s located in the very center of Europe and has
borders with France, Italy, Austria and Germany. In Switzerland, there are 3
regions where people speak French, Italian or German, but they all speak a little bit of
English.
Switzerland is well known for its chocolate, watches, snowy mountains and
beautiful lakes. Regularly Switzerland
wins prizes for being the best place to live in in the world. Being an au-pair or nanny in
Switzerland is a fantastic opportunity, financially and culturally, to enrich your working
experience and learn a new language.
You will also have the possibility to visit the country and the rest of Europe (why
not Rome, Paris, Eurodisney?) during your holidays or while travelling with the family. You
will be able to skate on lakes in
winter or dive in them in the summer; perhaps you will even try skiing? Biking is also very
common in Switzerland; there are many cycling paths that will lead you through the
countryside where you can see the cows grazing
in the meadows.
What We Guarantee to you
We guarantee to the child-caregivers entering our program the following:
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The applicants do not have any agency fees to pay
(the agency is paid by the family, not by the applicant) -
We accompany you throughout the year should any issue arise
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We try as much as possible to connect you to other au-pairs/nannies so that you can go out with them during your days off
What is an au-pair?
The au-pair program
An Au-Pair comes to Switzerland to help the host family take care of
their children and assist with the household chores. In exchange you will get a salary. You
will also have the opportunity to expand your general education
and culture by acquiring a better knowledge of Switzerland, as well as develop your
linguistic skills in one of the official Swiss languages (depending on the place of
residence of the host family: German in the Swiss German
part of Switzerland for example). The host family commits to having the Au-Pair take part in
the family life, while the Au-Pair will also respect the family’s private sphere.
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You will generally share the meals with the family and will get your own well-heated room, lockable and with window, normally with Internet access.
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As an Au-Pair, you principally take care of the family’s children, like a baby sitter: they have them eat their food, have them take their bath, put them to bed, play with them and make them happy :-)
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Au-Pairs also generally help with household chores. Difficult household chores like hard gardening work are not part of the program and should not be asked to the Au-Pairs by the family.
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Au-Pairs from EU get a residency permit for one year in Switzerland, generally renewable for one more year.
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Au-Pairs from outside EU get a residency permit for one year in Switzerland, NON renewable by law.
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Salary and Working Time
As an Au-Pair, you will be paid minimum of Fr 700.- ( EUR 650.-) a month for 30 hours work per week. The minimum monetary allowance may vary from Canton to Canton. However, we always try to request at least Fr 700 from the family. The money will be paid to you on a post/bank account opened in Switzerland (the family will help you open the account) or paid cash by the family. Please note that the compulsory weekly cleaning / tiding up of your own room and eating time (if no work is implied) doesn't count as working time.
There are no agency fees involved for you as an applicant. You have at least one full day and two half days or two full days off a week, which at least twice a month will fall on a Sunday. You have 4 weeks paid holiday a year or 5 weeks if you are under 20 years old. -
Insurance
As an Au-Pair, you will be covered with an accident and medical insurance (the accident insurance will be covered in full and at least half of the compulsory medical insurance will be paid by the family).
Should the Au-Pair need to go to a hospital during her stay, which is very expensive in Switzerland, the health insurance will cover most of the costs. -
Language Course
You will also attend regularly a language course paid by the host family.
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Community
We accompany you throughout the year should any issue arise. We try as much as possible to connect you to other Au-Pairs/Nannies so that you can go out with them during your days off.
Requirements for joining our au-pair program:
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From 20 to 25 years old for Au-Pairs outside of Europe (ex. Non-EU au-pairs have to be less than 26 years old when they arrive in Switzerland)
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From 20 to 29 years old for Au-Pairs from Europe
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Experience with kids, either in a medical environment (as a nurse for example), or as a nursery teacher or a regular nanny/babysitter
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Good knowledge of English and/or German and/or French is a MUST
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Valid passport
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References
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Very caring personality, very helpful and trustworthy with a true natural service orientation attitude, very proactive and responsive
Nannies and Housekeepers
The nanny program
Duran Nannies and Au Pairs is proud of its extensive and specialized
recruitment process guaranteeing a personalized and professional services to our valued
clients.
If you are a Swiss or European nanny or housekeeper, who is interested in making a
career in Switzerland meeting a family who would value your qualifications and your
contribution in raising their children and keeping
an organized home, SEND us your application!
Please contact us through the contact form, we are very happy to receive your
application.
Requirements for joining our nanny program:
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Citizens from EU 28
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Experience with kids, either in a medical environment (as a nurse for example), or as a nursery teacher or a regular nanny/babysitter
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Good knowledge of English and/or German and/or French is a MUST
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Valid passport
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Clean criminal record
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References
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Very caring personality, trustworthy, with a true natural service orientation attitude, very proactive and responsive
Nanny & Au Pair Resources
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Information for Au-Pairs
download
downloadHere are answers to your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
I would like to go to Switzerland as an Au Pair, but the only experience I have is babysitting. Should I still apply?
Certainly, while having babysitting skills is of primary importance, there are still more important qualities to consider such as maturity, responsibility, an interest in cultural enrichment and a real desire to work with children. If you believe you have these qualities, send us your employment application and we will do our best to find you an appropriate family.
What are my duties as an au pair?
You will live with your host family for 12 months. During this time, you will help the family with child care duties and light housework like ironing, tidying up toys, or cooking. Your work is limited to maximum 6 hours daily for 5 days a week. You may also be asked to baby-sit one to two additional evenings per week.
What are my duties an a nanny?
Your main job would be the care and nourishing of the children who will be under your care. You will be communicating to the parents day to day progress of the children. You contribute to the over all learning, growth and care of your wards.
When should I apply for the au pair program?
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. It can take up to 4 months till you arrive at the doorstep of your host family.
I am male. Can I apply?
Although we support equal opportunities, there is very limited demand for male Au Pairs. We can accept your application and you will be contacted as soon as an opportunity arises.
What is the age limit to be accepted as an au pair?
We welcome college graduates who are between 20 to 25 years old.
I do not speak German, French or Italian. Should I apply as an au pair?
Yes, we can usually match you with a family who speaks English and from whom you will learn German, French or Italian. You will find that you will pick up the language 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. One advantage though is having a very good command of English. This can be the language of communication between you and your host family.
What's the difference between a nanny and an au pair?
A nanny position is a job, and an au pair position is a cultural exchange. 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, immerse in a new culture, and share their own language and culture with their host family.
What is the average salary of a nanny or housekeeper in Switzerland?
The Swiss government has set the minimum wage for nannies and housekeepers. However, the market wage is determined by the years of experience of the candidate, her education and qualification, her mother-tongue language and knowledge of additional language especially German, French or Italian.
Do I have to pay a fee? Other agencies have offered to place me for free.
No, successful applicants will not pay the agency anything. The host family from Switzerland will pay the agency and that will cover costs for visa processing, accident/sickness insurance in the Philippines and will cover repatriation and medical examination, if ever.
Do I sign a contract with the agency?
Upon successful application, the au pair will sign a confidentiality contract with the agency. This has to be signed before the contract from the family can be finalized.
I have heard of au pairs who have contacted families, which didn’t have 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?
By law, families in Switzerland can only get non- EU Au Pairs through
registered agencies. This ensures the Au Pair’s protection and safety as the
agencies are held liable during the au pair’s stay in Switzerland.
This is not essential for EU Au Pairs.
Also, the agency will be
your source of help and guidance throughout your stay. Quarterly meeting
will be held where you get to meet new au pairs and share
your experiences and in doing so learn from each other.
Do I have to attend the language courses?
Language courses are mandatory for Au Pairs. Learning new language is always an advantage and is always a very good addition to your CV. Moreover, some countries like Austria will require proof of German lessons taken. German lesson certificates can ensure you get a good chance to furthering your career or as an Au Pair in other German-speaking countries.
What if I get homesick?
It is only natural to feel homesick at the beginning of your stay in your target country, 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.