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An au pair is in charge of taking care of the children and usually lives within the home of the family. The au pair is usually provided accommodation and meals and a stipend of spending money. The family gains a loving caretaker for their children and an addition to the family.

What the au pair must know

Criteria differ from agency to agency, but there are several typical requirements:

• Be able to communicate in the family's preferred language
• Be willing to share your culture and learn about others
• Be willing to commit to 12 months with the family
• Agree to having a background check performed
• Have at least 6 months childcare experience
• Be able to provide 3 non-family local references regarding your experience and character
• Be in good physical condition as evidenced by a Physician's Report
• Pass a psycho-metric test given by the Agency

In addition to these requirements, it is common for families to ask for non-smoking, responsible or non-drinkers, and for females.

What the family has to do

The family has to welcome the au pair in thinking that she is not just an employee, but an important part of the family. Therefore they will make sure:

• The au pair must have her own bedroom.
• The au pair will work to a maximum of 35 hours per week She should have minimum 2 days off during the week.
• They understand that having an au pair doesn't mean someone who is going to do the housework, the dishes....etc. However au pairs may be asked to do some housework as agreed upon in the contract.
• It may be of benefit to register the au pair at the family doctor.
• The family pay an allowance (pocket money). Some people pay as much as 25,000 rubles a month for live-in nannies (this is the high end).

Some addresses...

• Simply Angelic
• Great Au Pair
• Easy Au Pair
• Sitter City

Family Care is particularly helpful to expatriates as it helps families find and hire nannies, housekeepers, drivers, and more in Moscow.

There are also English language forums, like www.expat.ru/forum/nannies or moscow.craigslist.org/search/kid, with individuals offering au-pair services. There is usually no outside screening done when dealing person-to-person so the family must do their own background check and feel completely comfortable with the person they choose.