Belgium

The Au Pair in Belgium Program is available for:

• female candidates only
• age 18-22 years
• good child care experience
• programme language is Dutch, French or German. A good level of English in addition to the mentioned languages is of a great advantage
• Au pairs can only arrive in July, August and September and come for a full year or 10 months if they arrive in September

Expectations

Families expect a young girl or woman who comes to live with them because she wants to earn money and because she is really interested in children and the Belgian way of life. And because she wants to improve her French or German, Dutch or English and learn more about the Belgian culture by living it.
The expectations of the au pairs should be realistic. They do not come to Belgium as students or tourists, they come here to work. Usually they will work 30 hours per week. The work will include ironing, preparing food for the children, clean the children's room, help get the children ready for school in the morning, hoover, and lots of babysitting. They should be creative to invent games to play with the children, really interested in the needs of the children and the family. Au pairs need to adapt to the families and not the other way round.
The families expect the girl to adapt to their way of life, to fulfill her tasks as asked. They do not always want to repeat what needs to be done, but they want her to SEE what needs to be done. So she should not sit down waiting for the next order to be given. They all expect the au pair to get along with the children and to treat them nicely, friendly but also strict if necessary. They will never accept the au pair using physical punishments. They do not want to come home to a serious of complaints about the children's behaviour while they were at work. They are happy to return home after a day's work and want to spend time with their children, not having to punish them for things that happened during the day.

Language

The Belgian law says that au pairs should learn one of the country's official languages which are Dutch (55%),French (40%) and German (5%). Since July 1st 1999 girls must have preknowledge of the language of the family. If they want to be placed in a French speaking family they need to send proof that they had French as a subject in school, or have taken some private courses.
Au pairs that have already a good level of French can be placed in French speaking families in or around Brussels. These families usually do not speak another language such as English. The girl will be expected to take French classes paid by the family.
Au pairs that have a lower level of French can be placed in French speaking families living in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, since they can get along with English there as well. They will take French classes paid by the family.
Au pairs with a fair to good level of German, but no or little French can be placed in Dutch families where most parents speak English and German as well as Dutch. The family will pay for German classes. The au pair is expected to make an effort to learn this language to be able to communicate with the children and to learn the culture. It is for their own wellbeing, since it is always nice to speak at least SOME of the language of the family, the children especially and the people in the area where you live.
70% of our families live in the Northern part of Belgium (= Flanders ==Dutchspeaking) and girls volunteering to be placed there will more easily be placed.

Families

Most families have 2 or 3 children. If there are more children usually the mother is at home and the au pair is more like a mother's help. These can be excellent placements since the au pair has company all day.The au pairs must be prepared to work 30 hours per week. In most families both parents work, usually the children go to school or to kindergarten during the day, so the au pair works in the mornings and after the children come from school. But every family is different, so don't think that this is a standard rule ' Some au pairs work 3 days per week but 12 hours a day and have then 4 days off. Other au pairs are free all day and start working around 6 p.m. (for example if the parents have a restaurant). Some au pairs work during the weekends and are free two other days per week.... 100 families, 100 different work schedules.

Pocket money

Au pairs receive 12.000 BEF per month. The family pays for a full medical insurance as well as for language classes. At the end of their contract the girl receives a bonus of 2000 BEF. Au pairs have two weeks holiday per year.Au pairs receive 12.000 BEF per month. The family pays for a full medical insurance as well as for language classes. At the end of their contract the girl receives a bonus of 2000 BEF. Au pairs have two weeks holiday per year.

What the candidates need to apply?

We expect a full application file. With the application file we need 4 passport photographs, a letter to the family, family photographs, child care reference(s), character reference(s), a copy of the international passport, a certificate that the girl has finished high school (secondary education) + plus official and original(no copy or translation) diploma where we find her knowlegde of Dutch, French or German (she'll get it back). The candidates also need to undersign an official contract.This is in Dutch but needs to be signed by the au pair and added to the application file since we need these documents to apply for the work permit.
We further interview the candidate IN PERSON and complete an interview report, check at least one child care reference, and complete a record card summerizing all the information plus a language test so that we know her level of Dutch, French or German.
We accept that au pairs express the wish to be placed in a French speaking family or in a French speaking area (as long as they speak French rather fluently) but we cannot guarantee placement to candidates that insist on being placed in a particular town or "near my friend".

Paperwork

if you feel happy with the information written above, you will receive the papers to apply as au pairs for Belgian families.

• application forms and reference sheets
• contracts
• interview report
• record card
• arrival details sheet

Educational Stay in Belgium

Participants

Girls between 18 - 26 years old
Experience with children and babies
Willing to help with household tasks.Interested to learn languages
Interested to learn more about the history and culture of the Northern Part of Belgium.
Available for 3 months during the schoolyear.

Content of the Program

Full board in host family.
Two language courses:

• English & Dutch
• French & Dutch
• German & Dutch
• English & French (only possible if candidate has a GOOD knowledge of French I!)

Two seminars on the history and culture of Flanders
One visit to the historical centre of Antwerpen
Full medical insurance

Application File

Application form
4 passport photographs & some family photographs
A letter to the family
A medical certificate in Dutch, Englis, German or French saying the girl is in good health
An interview report
Child care references IF applicant wants to babysit in return for free board & lodgings.

Fees

Normally 20.000 BEF/month but Free II if the girl is prepared to help in the family with
the children and light household tasks during 12-15 hours per week in return for full
board and the complete educational programme.