Share your home.Gain the world.

v. Feb2020

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childcare$180from only net per week.

in-homeQuality,

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Our whānau always there

for yours.If there’s one thing we’re passionate about, it’s creating

life-changing experiences for Kiwi whānau and their little ones.We know how precious your little treasures are, so we’ve tailored a

programme that focuses on what they need, gently guided by someone who loves them as much as you do.

It’s our job to find you an experienced au pair who fits with your whānau day-to-day life, and shares your aspirations for your tamariki

to grow up happy, healthy and confident.

together.Let’s share the

journey

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All about au pairs.

An au pair is a young person from abroad, employed by a whānau to care for their tamariki. As a live-in form of early childhood care and education, au pairs provide a unique cultural and learning experience.

Our au pairs are between the ages of 18-30, and mostly female. They speak English at a conversational level, and have at least 200 hours of childcare experience, be it through babysitting, coaching a sports team, working as a tutor or in a local daycare centre. While 200 hours is the minimum requirement for a candidate to apply for our programme, the average amount of experience for our au pairs is around 1300 hours, reflecting our applicant’s genuine interest in caring for tamariki.

All of our au pair candidates undergo a comprehensive screening process, including police and medical checks, childcare and character references and a personal interview to assess their English speaking ability, and suitability in caring for the most important people in your whānau.

Because they’re too precious to leave with just anyone.

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supportHelp &Not only can your au pair provide a world-class learning experience for your tamariki, they are also there to help with preparing tamariki meals and to take care of laundry duties and other tasks related to your tamariki. Our au pairs also offer help and support for whānau where homebased early childhood care and education is an ideal fit for their tamariki. Whether your whānau lives in a rural community, your tamariki have additional learning needs or you prefer the one-to-one care that we can offer, we are here to help.

AffordabilityGet quality in-home care and education for your tamariki from only $274 net per week. Because your au pair is paid a weekly wage (supplemented by board and lodgings), whānau actually find that it is a more cost-effective form of childcare than the pay-per-tamaiti (child)-per-hour model. With Au Pair Link you also have access to the 20 Hours ECE government subsidy for tamariki between 3-5 years, as well as WINZ childcare subsidies (including OSCAR if you’re on our Au Pair Mate programme).

Cultural experienceHaving someone from a different culture caring for your tamariki is a fun and educational experience. An au pair becomes a much-loved member of your whānau, sharing their culture, language and values, allowing tamariki to develop a well-rounded world view early in life.

We know it’s an important step to open your door to somebody new. Our experience has shown us that the quality of relationships that develops between tamariki and their au pair often surpasses whānau expectations. In addition, the advantages of early exposure to a second language and culture makes choosing an au pair the logical choice for whānau who want their tamariki to have a head start in their life-long learning journey.

Share your home.

Gain the world.

flexibilityAs a live-in caregiver and educator, your au pair is there to make life easier. No more waking your tamariki up at 6am so you can drop them at kindergarten or fretting about finding a last minute babysitter - your au pair is there when you need.

Convenience &

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Au Pair 123.For whānau with at least one tamaiti under five years.

Invest in a richer experience for your little ones with an Au Pair 123. Watch your little ones’ interests spring to life as their learning journey begins under the loving eye of their au pair. Working with the New Zealand early childhood curriculum, Te Whāriki, our au pairs empower tamariki to express themselves and discover the world around them through inspiring learning experiences. Our team of Programme Managers (all New Zealand qualified and registered early childhood teachers) organise regular playgroups, outings and events, as a way for tamariki and au pairs to socialise and explore together. Au pairs also weave a sense of whānau and culture into the learning experience by writing learning stories for each tamaiti under five, as a way to reflect on progress and share aspirations for the future.

• 7-12 month placements

• 20-45 hours childcare per week for between $290-$441

• 200+ hours childcare exp.

• We organise your au pair’s flights, visa and insurance

• Your au pair attends a 3 day Orientation in Auckland

• Qualified ECE teacher support on our home early learning programme

• Regular playgroups, activities and events

• Access 20 Hours ECE and WINZ childcare subsidies

• 3 month placement guarantee.

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Au Pair Whiz.Specialist care for whānau with at least one tamaiti under five years.

Whether they are a qualified kindergarten teacher, tamariki nurse or have previously worked as an au pair - our Au Pair Whiz candidates bring world-class childcare experience into the heart of your home, making things that little bit easier to manage. An Au Pair Whiz is also the perfect option to support your tamariki through the everyday challenges brought on by multiple births, health requirements and other learning needs. We know your tamariki are too precious to leave with just anyone - that’s why our team of Programme Managers (all New Zealand qualified and registered early childhood teachers) are there to support you, your au pair and tamariki - making sure together, you receive the care and affection your tamariki need to grow into happy, healthy and confident learners.

• 7-12 month placements

• 30-45 hours childcare per week for between $432-$548

• Have a degree/qualification or be studying for one (in the social or educational field) and have 400 hours experience with children under five. OR been a full-time au pair or nanny for a minimum of 12 months, within the last three years

• We organise your au pair’s flights, visa and insurance

• Your au pair attends a 3 day Orientation in Auckland

• Qualified ECE teacher support on our home early learning programme

• Regular playgroups, activities and events

• Access 20 Hours ECE and WINZ childcare subsidies.

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Au Pair Assist.A short-term childcare solution for whānau with at least one tamaiti under five.

Need quality, short-term childcare tout de suite? Our Au Pair Assist programme is designed for whānau looking to fill an au pair position quickly and save you from pulling your hair out while you try to find last-minute childcare options. Au Pair Assist candidates are often already in Aotearoa, giving you the opportunity to meet them in person and talk about how they can fit into your whānau life. With support from your Programme Manager (all qualified and registered early childhood teachers), an Au Pair Assist is there to make sure your little one’s personality and interests flourish, as they discover their world on our home early learning programme.

• Short term placements

• 20-45 hours childcare per week for between $290-441

• 200+ hours childcare exp.

• Your au pair attends a 3 day Orientation in Auckland

• Candidates are often already in Aotearoa

• Qualified ECE teacher support on our home early learning programme

• Regular playgroups, au pair and child activities and events

• Access 20 Hours ECE, WINZ childcare subsidies.

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Culture and language.

Our au pairs travel from all over the world to experience life in a Kiwi whānau. Every day we hear stories from around the country of how enriching it is for tamariki and whānau alike to be exposed to different languages and cultural influences. Whether the tamariki are learning to make German apple strudel or discovering their au pair’s hometown through photos, their awareness of the world around them is amplified through the intrinsically multicultural experience of having an au pair.

The benefits are not just anecdotal. Research shows that second language learning in early childhood gives tamariki the best possible chance to develop their understanding of a language. Rather than become confused, they are at an ideal stage of development to soak up and understand multiple languages. Down the track, this means your tamaiti has a real advantage when it comes to grasping tricky concepts and ideas. Quite simply, the areas of their brain, which are related to memory, attention and language are stronger than monolingual learners.

Au pair education is unique in that it really focusses on the tamaiti as an individual. Quality one-on-one learning means a tamaiti can often surpass expectations, because of the level of interest and support afforded to them. Through enriching learning experiences and exposure to new ways of thinking at an early age, tamariki on our programmes are assured to grow up to be happy and confident learners.

Because caring is a universal language.

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Your learning journey.

PlaygroupsWe run regular playgroups across Aotearoa for tamariki to attend with their au pair. In some areas we run multiple playgroups each week (including Groovelink), giving your au pair the chance to bring your little ones along to several different sessions every week. We often arrange for a specific activity or theme for the day, and all our playgroups are run by our qualified ECE kaiako and are well equipped with educational resources. It is an excellent way for tamariki, au pairs and our Programme Managers to interact with each other, build friendships and share ideas.

Our Ministry of Education licensed programmes are designed for whānau with at least one tamaiti under five.

Weaving the principles and strands of Te Whāriki, we work closely with your au pair to create a meaningful learning journey for each tamaiti, one that develops their curiosity about the world around them.

We do this by organising regular playgroups, as well as outings and events for au pairs, tamariki and whānau, and best of all - we create an interactive online learning Timeline for each whānau, so you can see what your little ones are up to anytime, anywhere!

Our team of Programme Managers are committed to ensuring each whānau is happy and enjoying their au pair experience. We organise monthly meetings with your au pair and Progress Catchups with you to ensure your tamariki have a supportive learning environment, guidance and resources or resource kete. We think it’s important that whānau are involved in their tamariki learning experience wherever possible, and these meetings are a great opportunity for you to share your aspirations with us.

Monthly visits

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Professional learningWe offer our au pairs on-going childcare training and support, right from the moment they arrive at our orientation course. In addition, we organise bi-monthly professional development sessions for our au pairs and families, conducted by our Family & Programme Managers. These are a fantastic opportunity for you both to learn more about childcare, nutrition, positive behaviour techniques and so much more! Our professional learning workshops mean that your au pair is leading the way in the care they provide to your little ones.

Learning

tamaitiWe encourage tamariki and au pairs to explore their local communities through our regular outings. At least once a month we send out an invite to a local event such as going to the zoo, a farm, the fire station or a beach where children can discover the world around them. With our close-knit network of au pairs in tow, it’s not unusual to hear tamariki naming their favourite animals in German or asking their local baker about pain au chocolat!

Au pair & outings

TimelineAt Au Pair Link, we recognise that as parents of little ones, you will be wondering how your tamariki are getting on during the day. As part of your online learning journey, we put together a Timeline for whānau, where you, your au pair or your Progrogramme Manager can post photos, learning stories and other memorable moments. You can also leave comments or even share your favourite photos with anyone else you choose online!

Learning JourneyCommunication Books

& TamaitiWe provide each tamaiti under five with an individual Tamaiti Learning Journey (Child Portfolio), which records their learning journey through a series of learning stories, written by your au pair and Programme Manager Voices. These often become a treasured possession for both the tamaiti and whānau. Similarly, our Communication Book helps you to establish a dialogue with your au pair around your tamariki needs to ensure their day-to-day care requirements are being met.

Educational resourcesWe have a great range of educational resource kete, which we lend out each month (that include items such as, books, music, toys) for your au pair to explore with your tamariki. Whether your tamaiti is interested in art, music, dinosaurs or fairy tales, our kete are designed to fill your tamaiti mind with curiosity about the world around them. We even provide an online resource portal and tailored support specific to your tamariki.

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Our achievements.

We undertake regular evaluation by the ERO to ensure we’re providing the best possible learning outcomes for your little ones. For more information or to download our full ERO reports, simply visit ero.govt.nz and search Au Pair Link.

ERO Reports

Healthy Heart Award.We are extremely proud and excited to announce that we have received the Pā-Harakeke Healthy Heart Award from the Heart Foundation for all six of our regions. This award recognises the amazing things we do to promote healthy food, nutrition and physical activity. We are helping our tamariki to have healthy habits and healthy hearts for life.Our policies around food and play contribute to the reason why we have achieved this award from the Heart Foundation.Au Pair Link was the first company in Aotearoa to be awarded the Healthy Heart Award at a national level.

“The programme managers provide comprehensive support for educators in homes and at regular service playgroups. This includes coaching and guidance to effectively model ways to plan for and extend children’s learning. Parents’ contribution to the programme is highly valued” Au Pair Link, Auckland 3, February 2017

“The service values the importance of children learning through play. Children are introduced to a wide range of learning experiences within and outside the home. Well considered, high quality resources and regular excursions further enhance these opportunities. ”Au Pair Link, Wellington 2, August 2016

“A focus on high quality care and education in children’s own homes and positive learning outcomes is highly evident.”Au Pair Link, Auckland 4, February 2017

“The placement of educators is well considered and responsive to the needs of individual children and their families.”Au Pair Link, Taranaki 1, September 2016

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Getting started.

1 Visit aupairlink.co.nz and apply to be a whānau.

2 Browse through candidates or create a custom search based on your preferences. You can also create a list of your favourite candidates.

3 One of our friendly Placement Managers contact you within 24 hours for a quick Phone Assessment and to arrange a time to visit your home for a health and safety check.

4 Complete your whānau profile by adding details about your tamariki, creating a Host Family Letter* and uploading any photos that you’d like candidates to be able to view.

5 Fill out a police background check form for each adult (over the age of 17) living in your home and upload to the Supporting Documents section of your profile.

6 Once you’ve been approved for matching, you can start requesting Skype interview times with your favourite candidates!*

7 If you feel like you’ve found the perfect au pair for your whānau, you can create a job offer at the click of a button!

8 It’s a match! We arrange your au pair’s flights and insurance, book them into our Orientation, and make sure all the paperwork’s been sorted, so all you need to think about is getting your au pair’s bedroom ready for their arrival.

* Refer to the back section of this booklet for guidelines on how to write your Host Family Letter, and our tips on getting the most out of your candidate interview.

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Orientation.Once your au pair arrives in Aotearoa, we whisk them away on a three day Orientation in Auckland. This gives your au pair a chance to acclimatise after a long-haul flight, meet other au pairs and receive valuable childcare training (including child first aid) before joining your whānau. Orientation is an opportunity for us to ensure your new au pair has arrived feeling positive and well-supported from the moment they land in Aotearoa. It also allows time for us to highlight their key responsibilities as your au pair and provide them with knowledge, advice and strategies before joining your whānau.

All au pairs who arrive from overseas attend the full three-day Orientation. If your whānau is enrolled in the Au Pair Assist programme, chances are that your au pair is already in Aotearoa. We only require these au pairs to attend our St John child first aid course (held on Thursday) and complete our online training modules.

Similarly, if you live outside of Auckland and match with an au pair who is already in Aotearoa, we’re able to arrange for them to attend a child first aid course in your area.

You can find a list of our Orientation dates at the back of this booklet!

• 2 nights’ accommodation in central Auckland (incl. all meals) .

• Introduction to being an au pair incl. ways to deal with culture shock .

• Child First Aid Course run by St John’s and theoretical driving lessons

• Information around programme expectations and responsibilities as an employee

• Comprehensive online training modules before they arrive in New Zealand.

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What does it cost?See the table for below for an overview of the approximate gross weekly cost payable on each of our programmes.

Weekly hours Au Pair 123 Au Pair Whiz Au Pair Assist20 $290 N/A $29025 $318 N/A $31830 $345 $432 $34535 $373 $470 $37340 $401 $508 $40145 $439 $546 $439

The figures in the table above are subject to change, inclusive of au pair’s net wage, PAYE tax, completion bonus and administration fee. Your au pair’s weekly wage is supplemented by a board and lodgings component, part of the total taxable package provided to your au pair and on which PAYE is calculated. Of

Completion bonusAs whānau you’re also required to pay a completion bonus to your au pair. The completion bonus is paid by the whānau to the au pair in recognition of successfully completing their fixed term employment with you and as a contribution toward your au pair’s flight home. The completion bonus amounts to $20 net per week, prorated across the length of the placement term. For example, for a 12 month placement term the net completion bonus is $1,040 ($20 x 52 weeks, excluding tax). Our payroll service can take care of this for you as well, helping to spread the payments weekly.

Board & lodgingsThe au pair wage is exclusive of tax, room and board. These factors will need to be included as part of the total taxable package provided by you to your au pair. As a whānau, you’ll need to provide your au pair with board and lodgings, consisting of a private and separate bedroom and all meals.

Vehicles & insuranceA big question for whānau is around whether you’ll need to provide a car for your au pair. We require whānau living in areas with limited or no access to public transport to provide a vehicle for their au pair to get around during work and non-work hours. To make sure your au pair is confident behind the wheel, we have a mandatory one week stand down period before they begin driving. Feel free to contact us with any questions around this!

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When an au pair joins your whānau you become their employer for the length of their placement term (or fixed term employment). Au pairs enjoy the same rights and benefits as any other employee under New Zealand Employment Law. Luckily, you don’t need to become an employment expert to get an au pair, we’re here to make the process easy for you and ensure you feel well-supported. Your au pair will be entitled to annual leave, public holidays and sick leave while they are employed by you. We provide all our whānau with an industry-leading Individual Fixed Term Employment Agreement and can supply you with information sheets regarding wage calculations, taxation and employment legislation.

rights& responsibilities

Employee

When you join the Au Pair Link whānau, we can provide you with access to the 20 Hours ECE government subsidy, designed to give whānau like yours increased options when choosing early childhood care and education. The 20 Hours ECE subsidy means choosing an au pair as your preferred form of childcare is more cost-effective than you may have previously thought!

To be eligible for the subsidy, your tamaiti must be enrolled in one of our Ministry of Education licensed programmes (Au Pair 123, Au Pair Whiz, Au Pair Assist or Private Support). You will have to decide which enrolled hours are covered, but you can’t claim more than 6 hours per day or 20 hours per week. Tamariki become eligible for this subsidy once they turn three and are able to receive this until they turn six (or begin attending school). The 20 Hours ECE subsidy is not means tested.

If your tamaiti attends more than one ECE service, you can split the hours claimed, as long as these hours don’t overlap or exceed 20 hours per week in total. You’ll need to fill in an Au Pair Link Enrolment Form and confirm the days and hours you are claiming the subsidy.

If you have any questions regarding the 20 Hours ECE subsidy, please contact us. Alternatively, you can visit the Ministry of Education website

20 Hours ECE Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) offer a number of subsidies to make quality childcare more accessible and affordable for eligible whānau. While we can’t apply for a subsidy on your behalf, we can help manage the payments as an approved WINZ childcare provider while the tamariki are in your au pair’s care.

The Childcare Subsidy (CCS) is another option for whānau. Parents and caregivers can choose between receiving the Childcare Subsidy or 20 Hours ECE, or in some cases, a combination of both. Please note, if you do receive 20 Hours ECE, you are unable to claim the CCS for the same hours your tamariki are enrolled in 20 Hours ECE.

The OSCAR subsidy (Out of School Care and Recreation) is a payment that helps whānau with the costs of before/after-school care and school holiday programmes. You can receive the before/after-school subsidy for up to 20 hours a week and an increased number of hours may be available for the school holidays. Please note there are some additional requirements and restrictions for whānau wanting to access this subsidy. To receive this subsidy, your au pair must be at least 20 years old. For information regarding current thresholds and rates visit www.workandincome.govt.nz or call Work and Income on 0800 559 009.

subsidiesWINZ

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Making it easy.Our payroll service, Paylink, takes the hassle out of being an employer. We pay your au pair, calculate and pay the correct PAYE tax, and take care of all their holiday, sick and annual leave payments.

It’s easy - simply register as an employer with the Inland Revenue Department and pay your au pair’s gross wage into our Client Fund Service a week in advance. We’ll calculate the correct net wage, sort the tax and pay your au pair directly. We can even help you manage your au pair’s Completion Bonus by spreading the cost over the placement term.

Save yourself a world of worry for only $14.00 per week (or $12.00 if we become your PAYE Intermediary). As a PAYE intermediary, we’ll be responsible for fulfilling your tax obligations as an employer. It also means we can liaise with the IRD on your behalf. Whānau who register for our intermediary service are subsidised $2.00 per payday, per employee.

We know becoming an employer can be daunting, but you can rest assured knowing we’ve got everything sorted, so you’ve got more time to spend with the people who really matter.

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Worth making room for.

• Our whānau terms and conditions

• Programme comparison matrix

• Our Introduction & Assessment Meeting Checklist which covers our health and safety requirements

• Application infosheets including tips on writing your whānau letter and interview guidelines

• Our 2020 Orientation dates

If you’d like more information on how an au pair could fit into your whānau life, we’re always happy to talk about what’s happening in your world, and how we can make life that little bit easier for you and your little ones. In the meantime, we invite you to take a moment to glance over a few of the resources provided in the appendix to help you get started on your application. We look forward to welcoming you into our Au Pair Link whānau!

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Au Pair Link whānau.Join the

© 2019 Au Pair Link

0800 AU PAIR (287 247)

+64 9 309 4444

family@aupairlink.co.nz

www.aupairlink.co.nz

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