PROSPECTIVE AU PAIRS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- You must be between 18 and 25 years old. You can contact the agent when you are 17, but once the family starts the MVV (visa) application, you must already be 18 years old.
- Matric certificate (with at least 60% average) or if not matric, the au pair must be at least 21 years old.
- A first aid certificate is no longer a requirement, but a recommendation.
- An HIV, TB and pregnancy test.
- At least 50 hours of practical experience of looking after children.
- You must also be willing to do light household work such as dusting, vacuuming, washing/ironing and cooking. This is part of an Au Pair’s job.
- You must definitely not be lazy, lame and listless, because an Au Pair’s job calls for a creative, cheerful, adventurous young woman or man who will be willing to be flexible and take initiative to think and plan ahead.
- It is very important that NEDSA au pairs can speak Afrikaans and English well. Some host families want the au pair to speak English with the children.
- The au pair does get the opportunity to enroll for a Dutch language course.
- Au pairs should definitely be able to swim and ride a bike. This will be your main means of transportation. You should definitely not have any “image” problems with this.
It is not necessary to have all the experience of looking after children when you first contact an agent. You can gain this experience throughout the year while you wait for your documentation.
If you are interested in going to the Netherlands as a NEDSA Au Pair, you should contact the agent closest to you. She/he will arrange a screening interview with you.
In the meantime, download the application form, complete it and return it to your agent or Annelies Gibbs (email address: annelies@nedsa.co.za). Remember to include a recent photo (head and shoulders) of yourself. If you want more information, feel free to read our extensive guide that will tell you more about life as an au pair in the Netherlands.