Looking for a language student/au pair

[mariner2]

Anybody know where to find a foreign language student or similar to live in over the summer months and lend a hand with a 16 month old baby?
We don't really want a full time nanny or au pair, we are thinking more of someone to come over to improve their English and give us a little help with baby - he would still go yo nursery 2 or 3 days a week so there would be plenty of free time.

[Eve]

Why not get in touch with some established foreign language schools to see if they have any students who would be interested, they maybe able to target someone more appropriate then a general advert and you may be able to specify who you want more.

Just make sure you do all the apropriate checks but at least going through a school might give you an extra screening and might give you some back up should there be any problems.

Maybe even consider someone who is studying english in this country who you could meet or even go to the school and have a chat with interesting candidates to select someone appropriate seeing as they willbe living in your house and looking after your baby.

I found this but have no idea as to what kind of organisation it is. May be worth asking a general question about language schools?

http://www.cp-languages.com/english/index-06.h tm

[curlyperm]

Dont know whether its still around but i always used to get the LADY magazine, it specialises in that type of thing.

[meltoadhall]

have you tried contacting your local college for any childcare students - a lot will be placed with a family for the expereince - i had one when my third was born and she was a godsend.

[JennyR]

Hi,

We run "The English School at the Chelsea Centre" at the World's End in Chelsea (if you put that through google, you will come straight to our website). The times of our morning classes and part-time options are designed for the needs of au pairs, of whom there are many around our area. If you are in Chelsea or within travelling distance, we are always interested in finding homestay accommodation for our students, which could include some babysitting in return for reduced price or free accommodation.

Although you may find schools in your area willing to help you, schools do not run reference or police checks and so you would need to do so yourself, especially if your help will be in charge of your baby when you are not around.

Alternatively, you could advertise for an part-time au pair and offer to fund a suitable course. This is probably the better option, as an au pair agency will run checks for you and be experienced in dealing with any problems that may arise - schools will probably not be able to help.

It is worth bearing in mind that if the au pairing is only part-time and the student may want to earn extra money in a part-time job, they may not be allowed to work elsewhere on an au pair visa. An EU student who has the right to work will not be tied to you financially, which may be a consideration if you are not in a position to pay a full-time rate for a part-time position.

I hope this helps and wish you good luck with finding a suitable person.

[mariner2]

Many thanks for all your suggestions and hopefully we are going to take on a German Au Pair in April