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Childcare

Families around the world need a bit of extra help with their children and volunteering with them is a fantastic way to experience different cultures and traditions. If you have experience with children, choosing this option can be incredibly rewarding and fun.

The work can consist of anything from taking care of kids before and after school and teaching them your language, to taking them on outings and sometimes helping out around the house.

Children are often a great source of information and are often happy to help you if you want to learn their language or more about their lifestyle! Consider volunteering as an Au Pair while you travel - you’ll never forget the memories you’ll make.

Work with children in exchange for meals and accommodation.

HOSTS

An au pair can assist you with your daily routine by specifically focusing on childcare (in exchange for room and board).

The au pair will work within the system of child care that you have structured for your family and can also help out around the house.

If you want to dedicate some extra time to your office work in the morning, or go for a run, the au pair can take over the responsibility of preparing breakfast and/or taking your kids to school.

They can also be tasked with picking up your kids from school or daycare and helping them with their homework.

Wins from this experience

As the au pair will be a traveler from a different country, you can also make the most of the opportunity to learn a new language. The traveler will learn about your country's culture in exchange. The benefits are mutual, but mostly, your kids are bound to enjoy the company of a young, enthusiastic traveler. The opportunity to interact with an individual from a foreign country can also improve their social skills and give them a better understanding of different cultures.

Travelers interested in working as an Au Pair

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VOLUNTEERS

An au pair's tasks and responsibilities should not be taken lightly. As an au pair, you will be in charge of a young one or several of them, so understand all the perks and hazards that come with the job.

If you're not particularly comfortable being around kids, we urge you to check out other projects on our site.

On the other hand, if you have babysitting or childcare experience or have enjoyed taking care of your nieces/nephews or perhaps your younger siblings, you're bound to be a natural at this project.

The following are some of qualities that define a good au pair. See if you possess at least a few of them before committing to this particular position:

  • Responsible and mature (your hosts are trusting you with their children’s safety)
  • NOT moody and inflexible (kids can sometimes be a handful; you need to tackle them sensitively and capably)
  • Polite and respectful (for example: NO cussing)
  • Communicative
  • Creative
  • Adaptable

Think you have it in you to be a good au pair? Sign up for the project and enjoy a memorable experience in a budget-friendly way.

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Wins from this experience

As an au pair, you have the opportunity to become an integral part of a family in a different country. You will learn how to live abroad with another family far away from your familiar surroundings. You will gain more knowledge about their lifestyle and traditions and be more involved with their culture than in most other volunteering positions. You will also have the opportunity to teach a family about your own culture and language - it really is a win-win situation for both!

Hosts that need an au pair

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What is the cost to sign up as a Host or Traveler?

Traveler Membership: $10/Year This gives them full access to all hosts as well as a FREE Travel SIM. However, they can create an account for free so they can start ‘favoriting hosts’ and build their profile - but advanced features such as contacting hosts will be unavailable until they become members.

Host Membership: $0/Year It is free for hosts to sign up and they can begin contacting travelers immediately.

An additional advantage of being a member is that you become more trustworthy and therefore members will be shown first on the website. Members can build up more trust by verifying their mobile phone and passport as well.

Are you interested in different types of work?

If you’re not interested in working with children, don’t worry - there are many other opportunities available. Once you sign up, you can select as many different types of volunteer work as you like.

Hovos offers language practice, help with art projects, gardening, internet support, tourist support and many other options!

animal care | art projects | child care / au pair | boat handlers | charity work | child care | computer help | construction | eco projects | elderly care | farm work | forest work | hostel support | fruit picking | gardening | house sitting | help in the house | internet support | language practice | maintenance tasks | pet sitting | music practice | spiritual projects | teaching projects | tourist support