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An au pair is in charge of taking care of the children and lives within the home of the family. He / She is provided with accommodation, meals and a stipend (of spending money). The family gains a loving caretaker for their children and an addition to the family. Expats find work as au pairs, and often employ au pairs.

Au Pair in Sri Lanka

There are several opportunities available for expats looking to work as au pairs. However, Sri Lanka has a lot of local help, nannies and household caregivers, available too.

Of course, the expat au pair would be able to communicate in English and fit better into a foreign household. They would be able to benefit from their host family's local experience while the family would be able to avail help from a person of similar nationality or another country close to theirs. Definitely a win-win situation for all concerned.

Locating such jobs would be facilitated by a search through the following sites:

• EasyExpat's Classifieds
• www.learn4good.com/jobs/e/1087323/search-resumes/cvs/

What the au pair must know:

Basic application criteria for an au pair job vary from agency to agency, but there are a few typical requirements:

• You should be conversant in English (or the dominant language)
• You must be between 18-27 years of age
• You must have a High School diploma or any other equivalent degree
• You should be able to commit to a 6-month placement at least
• You ought to have a prior childcare experience of 6-months at least
• You have to provide 3 references, to testify your experience and character
• You must be in good physical and mental condition, backed by a full Physician's Report.
• You should be ready for a background check.

In addition to these requirements, it is common for families to request for ladies and people who are non-smokers, possess a driver's license, and are responsible or non-drinkers. Many au pair families prefer native English speakers. Some agencies may also require time spent tutoring.

What the family has to do

The family hamustelcome the au pair in thinking that he/she is not just another employee, but an important part of the family. Therefore:

• The au pair must have a separate bedroom.
• She should have to work for a maximum of 40 hours per week, with a minimum of 2 days off during the week.
• The family must understand that having an au pair does not amount to having a servant. 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 with the family doctor.
• The family should pay a fixed monthly allowance, with the amount written into the contract.

An excellent place to look for a nanny-job is on EasyExpat's job listings. You can also ask questions and find useful tips/advice on their forums or network.

Visas for au pair in Sri Lanka

If hired through an agency, the agency usually guides the au pair through the process. However, for all non-Sri Lankans who wish to reside in this beautiful country, there is a need to get an employment and residence visa. Once a visa is applied for and issued, it cannot be changed.

For more information on visas in general, consult the section on "Passport and Visas".