CHILTON AU PAIRS CHILTONAUPAIRS.CO.ZA Members of the IAPA - international Au Pairing Association Material ofsted standards ARTICE GROWTH WITHIN OUR INDUSTRY The economic slump has decreased the number of American and European families accepting as many SA au pairs on their programs as usual , though these programs are ongoing and still active - there is no doubt according to reports from the IAPA, Au Pair placements will increase as the world economy recovers. Currently China has taken over providing new demand in the past two years and growing fast for accepting Au Pairs from all over the world into their country. We are seeing an increase in Brazilian Au Pairs actively working in Europe & South Africa, there is also an increase of European Girls coming to South Africa from Italy, France, Belgium and Germany to experience the culture and learn English, while Au Pairing for local families. Market related Au Pair salaries 2013 A minimum of R50 per hour and petrol costs (AA rates at R2.30 per km) on top of it on the job. 3 hours per day 5 days a week R3600 per month 4 hours per day 5 days a week R4700.00 per month 5 hours per day 5 days a week R6000.00 per month 6 hours per day 5 days a week R7000.00 per month 7 hours per day 5 days a week R8200.00 per month A full day (over 7 hours per day) salary can start at R9500.00 per month and go up to R12000.00 Market related Nanny Salaries Senior R4, 500.00 – R6, 000.00 + 35% of our Nannies have teaching backgrounds or nursing backgrounds from Zimbabwe. Their formal qualifications are not recognized by the SA government; therefore they are keen to work in a sector that is as close the field they studied in back home. While South African employers are winning hugely by this level of educated nanny within their home, Chilton is keen to see these women earn greater salaries which reflect their level of education. In the main they earn R5, 000 plus and tend to (Holiday with the families) travel internationally, all of these women have completed 3rd level education. 20% drive and own a car; therefore the Nanny market has developed into a three tier market, junior, mid level to senior. Salary range from R4.500.00 - R6, 000.00 + Mid level – 3 plus years local experience with the same family preferable, experience with sole charge Nanny, min domestic work, (a domestic worker is often kept on to do heavy housework, more & more employers are not keen to overload their professional nanny with domestic work as they want a higher standard of care for their children) infant care and good knowledge of sterilization etc and ability to initiate activities, routine and take charge comfortably. She communicates well with the parents and children. Salary range from R3, 500.00 plus to R4, 600.00 Junior – 2 years local experience with recent ECD nanny & first aid training, she mostly worked as housekeeper & less charge of children as she was new to this country or she was inexperienced into this field, She has one local typed reference Salary range min R3, 000.00pm + What skills should a nanny have? Is she warm, empathic, kind yet firm when needed? (Not afraid to say no to little Johnny, when he asks for his third cup cake?) She also is able to explain to him why this is not in his best interest with firmness and ability to defuse, distract and delay - techniques She just has to be fun too and have a great sense of humour Does nanny have sole charge & knowledge of what stimulating play is? Does she have an all round understanding of how critical developmental knowledge is to her role & impact with children? Can she implement a daily program which challenges, excites & educates a young child at home all day? Is her command of English excellent? Is she a member of the library, does she read books? Does she communicate clearly with you & the children well? Does she understand the meaning of Positive reinforcement, discipline & implementing good boundaries? Does she have innate understanding of how to meet a child where they are & the basics of child physiology? Live in nannies are on the decline, many do not want to accept a live in position as they voice a growing concern of abuse and horror stories of extended working hours (and verbal abuse) with little or often no monetary compensation. This is where, within the domestic sector the most advantage has occured Some employers (not all) often demand more than the agreed amount of hours stated in their contract, some nannies have been threatened by employers to being thrown out of the countryor replaced if they complain or do not comply. Of course, no one has any right to do such a thing, but horrific this does happen still today in South Africa. Many live in nannies are asked to work a 6 day week, sometimes let go in the early afternoon on a Saturday but not all– hardly fair or within labour law. Many nannies voice concerns of employers asking them to baby-sit with no extra pay offered for the extra night time hours worked. Live-in positions should receive their accommodation and food. Uniforms should not be deducted from the Nannies salary. Live in Jobs (like live out jobs) should have clear hours and over time detailed clearly in their starting contract and duty list. When nannies live in – it is for the benefit of the employer rather than the nanny at the end of the day, an employer cannot ask for rental or expect the accommodation to be a “package deal” to then offer a sub standard salary. All job offers should be in writing with a duty list which is to be agreed together prior to signing, both parties should keep a copy for perusal & to avoid, she said, I said scenario. Proper breaks and snack times should be included into the day or low resting periods when baby rests and is appropriate and practical The most successful live in situations occur when employers & employees adhere to the agreement and do not cross boundaries within this. What is disturbing, we see a direct impact on the quality of care the children receive, when employee & employer relations breakdown, and agreements are not honoured or resolved. The Differences An Au Pair is typically between the ages of 18-26, though not all 30% are career Au Pairs and are typically older & vastly experienced, However A typical Au Pair comes with basic childcare experience & a Minimum of two years babysitting (not family members) First Aid / CPR qualification, as well as a Matric, clean driving license and well maintained & safe car It is a point to note when recruiting an Au Pair to look for interests and formal study that relate to childcare work on some level, rather than accepting none. This can be interest or study in social work, medical field, youth work, teaching, human rights issues, drama/ acting/ singing, special needs interest. Many career Au Pairs have formal teacher training (FOUNDATION PHASE TEACHING) or similar and prefer to work with a smaller number of children privately or on a one on one basis. Client (employers) seeking Career Au Pairs often ask for a formal foundation phase or Pre-primary educational background as the salaries in this sector are rising, so too is the demand for a more educated Au Pair - 3rd level preferable - (& Nanny for that matter). Many “Career Au Pairs” work internationally for Royal families in the UAE and other high profile clients & families locally & internationally, they are in demand and thin on the ground. The Hallmark of a good Au Pair is some form of voluntary work undertaken with children at some stage, interest in special needs & a continuous background of babysitting & tutoring work undertaken, part time or full time. In addition she should have completed a formal early childhood development course background with several typed references going back 3 + years Salaries range from R8, 000.00 - R16, 000.00 plus per month Though, Au Pairs in the main tend to be mostly varsity students with a sincere interest in children; the girls should be emotionally warm, mature, active, sporty, creative and caring to the children. The Majority of jobs for this group are requests for half day work starting at 1pm school pick ups to a finishing time of 5.30pm when parents return from work. Au Pairs are employed purely to care for the children & do light household work like tiding up after mess is made with the children, not heavy duty and taxing domestic work. They are expected to drive children to & from school, liaise with the children’s teachers, and make sure the child is managing homework & projects. Prepare meals & snacks for the children, prepare school lunches, and draw up schedules for school & extra murals activities. Be super well organized and an excellent time keeper. She organizes play dates, purchases birthday gifts and school items that are needed, take the children to doctors, dentists or remedial appointments, providing stimulating activities especially during the school holidays. Most Au Pairs have had or are in some form of tertiary education & should have some talents they can share with the children in their care. (e.g.) reading, sporty, crafty, playing a musical instrument. Nannies in the not so distant past have come from the traditional maid market, whereby they performed household duties as well as care for the children. They generally did not drive, cook nor swim with the children. In the past six years, the “traditional SA Nanny” has faded, due to the amount of refugees pouring into the country seeking to up skill themselves before taking on local work, happily South African women are also following suit & both groups of women are winning as they qualify after completing (ECD) childcare training. All groups of women share ideas, skills and improved hope for their futures. 95% of all these women fuund their own training. We are seeing a huge awaking in this market of “semi skilled” women who mean to improve their earning ability as well as gain professional recognition in their sector. This rise in nanny training has pushed up the skills set giving us three levels of nanny and earning ability, adding to the mix a higher level of salaries to women with more education, qualifications and training. A staggering 20% of all Chilton’s trained Nannies have full South African licenses and own their own cars, are now working as Au Pairs with the full status & salary to match. Chilton calls these women pioneers in their industry. They join Chiltons mentor program, to juniors coming into the market. They understand the school system and how important this is to the children they care for. They are essentially breaking new ground and finally opening up, through their own hard work and goal setting positions previously not thought possible. Employers are being surprised and educated as they are slowly being presented with a more all rounded Au Pair & nanny, colour is not the colour it used to be for either one as we merge new ground and continue to grow. Essentially the new type of Nanny and Au Pair is able to do it all & cross the divide of both nanny & Au Pair in SA and finally meet the global standard. All Chilton’s training information for Nannies & Au Pairs is the same & in a global context and standard. We challenge our Nannies and Au Pairs to bridge the gaps, be more all rounded in her capabilities to meet world standards as we continue to raise the level of care Children receive. Complied by Noreen Whiting Founder and Director of Chilton Au Pairs Training and Placements
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:05:43 +0000
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