Scotia Personnel Ltd

Program Outline

Qualifications and Conditions for Au pairing in Iceland:

• Have obtained secondary school/high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Have practical child-care experience.
• Have a good command of the English language.
• Even though it is not compulsory it is recommended that the au pair holds a valid driver license.
• Want to stay with the family for 6-12 months, depending on the time of arrival.
• Be prepared to work 30 hours per week taking care of children and doing general household chores.
• Baby-sit from time to time in the evenings, max. 3 times a week.
• Prepare light meals.
• Become a member of the family and follow the house rules.
• Be 18 to 25 years of age.
• Enrol into Icelandic language course, which is compulsory, at the au pair’s expense.
• Follow and sign the rules set by the IAPA – International Au Pair Association.
• Follow the Icelandic rules regarding visa procedure and registration.

Selection and Screening

• complete an application in English.
• Attach 1 passport size photos.
• Write a personal letter to your prospective host family; include your childcare experience.
• Photos with family and children.
• Provide three references, written in English
• One reference at least, must be a child-care reference. The character references
  should be from a teacher and / or an employer.
• Provide a medical report.
• Provide a Vulnerable Sector criminal record.
• Provide a copy of your school certificate
• Send a copy of your passport.

Au pairs in Iceland Receive:

• 11.000 IKR min. (ca. US$160) per week in pocket money (subject to change, rate depends on exchange rate).
• Free room and board.
• One and a half day off per week.
• At least one weekend off per month.
• One week off with pocket money for every 6 months completed.
• Au Pairs travel cost. The au pair pays her/his way to the host country but the family reimburses 1/12 (one/twelfth) of the total cost of the airfare, each month the au pair stays or max ISK 50.000 for one year.
• Support from the agency.

The Au Pair in Iceland team will:

• Carefully help choose a suitable host family for you.
• Support you if you need help during your stay.
• Provide you with an emergency number.
• Give you a list of au pairs in Iceland.

Responsibilities. The au pairs main responsibilities are taking care of children, and doing light housework.

Working hours. The au pair is expected to work 30 hours per week or 120 hours per month. The host family may ask the au pair to watch over the children 1- 3 evenings per week for 1-5 hours at a time. The au pair gets paid extra for those hours.

Visa. Au Pairs from countries outside the Schengen area have to apply for a special Visa before they enter the Schengen area. The countries that participate in the Schengen agreement are Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Belgian, France, Greece, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Poland, Spain and Germany. Citizens of Britain and Ireland do not need to apply for the visa.

Driving license. The Au pair can use her/his own driving license in Iceland.

Icelandic Studies. Being an au pair is a cultural exchange and the program is meant to give young people from all over the world opportunity to stay in different countries for some months and get to know the host country’s culture and customs. Therefore it is compulsory that the au pair studies Icelandic while staying in the country. The host family should assist the au pair to find the appropriate courses. The au pair is responsible for paying the course, although many host families choose to reimburse the au pair this cost as a “Bonus” if they feel the au pair has been taking good care of their children. The families will help au pair to choose the right courses to study Icelandic.

Basic facts and information about Iceland

Contact Scotia Personnel Ltd. for more information/application forms