Childcare Work in Western Europe --France, Italy, Spain, Germany
Introduction
Want to be the next Mrs. Doubtfire? Put the wig and mask away, and still have fun getting paid working and living with a local family in France, Italy, Spain or Germany. Cultural Embrace pre-arranges and guarantees work placement for you to be a nanny/au pair in Europe. The host families are carefully screened by our local representatives, and the Austin office will conduct interviews, check references and background police reports during your application process. Be a childcare provider for families and immerse yourself like a local!
Salary and benefits vary with each country and family. On average, you will be working 6-8 hours per day, with at least five days a week. You will have two days of the week off and often times you will have much of the day to yourself if the children are attending school. The average net income is 75 Euros per week (approximately US$100/week). Private room and full board are included for all placements with your local host family.
The age requirements for the following countries are: France & Switzerland 18-25; Spain 18-27, Italy 18-30 years old, Germany 18-29 years old. For US passport-holding citizens, (up to 6 months, excluding Germany) you must enroll in language classes in your host country to qualify for a student visa for placements longer than 3 months. These classes cost roughly 170 Euros a month for 10 hour of study a week. Classes do not have to be taken for the entire duration of your stay. Please note: if you will be participating in the Italy or Spain summer/short-term program you will enter under a tourist visa and will not have to take language classes or apply for a student visa. For EU passport-holding citizens: (up to 12 months) a student visa is not necessary. For all other nationalities: if you are able to secure a student visa on your own by signing up for language classes we will be able to find you a placement.
Germany has a special Au Pair visa available for specific nationalities that allows you to Au Pair for up to one year without taking language lessons. Minimum placement length in Germany is 6 months.
Past participants have indicated that their experience with their host family and children were like "my own family in Europe." Most have stayed friends with their families and have returned to visit through the years. What a wonderful way to embrace the local culture, practice a foreign language, provide a service, and be a part of a loving community.
Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!
Program Details and Highlights
Childcare Work in Western Europe Offers:
- An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
- An economical way to live and travel abroad
- An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities and lifestyles (e.g.: sports, music,
- Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
- The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
- A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences
- A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills
- A chance to learn or build on your French, Italian, or Spanish language skills
Cultural Embrace Offers:
- Guaranteed Job Offer Prior to Departure
Cultural Embrace guarantees a pre-arranged paid position in the childcare industry. - Compensation
Income varies from country to country. However, the average net income is 75 Euros/week (approximately US$100/week). - Accommodations & Board
Your placement includes a private room, and typically a shared bathroom with your sponsored family. All meals are included with your local family. - Visa Assistance
Cultural Embrace will assist you with obtaining your visa. For non-EU citizens, you will be entering on a student visa and need to take foreign language classes (not necessarily for the full duration of your childcare placement). The fee to receive your student visa is NOT included in your program fee. - Arrival Assistance
Your host family will meet and greet you at the closest airport, train, or bus station and take you to your new home. - Travel Insurance: Basic Major Medical Coverage
Our policy provides basic medical coverage. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance. - Cultural Embrace Kit
Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad. - Full-time Representation
Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your local host country prior to, during, and after your placement.
Program Requirements
- Age Requirements: 18-25 for France and Switzerland, 18-27 for Spain,18-30 for Italy, 18-29 for Germany
- Visa Requirements:
-For US passport-holding citizens: (up to 6 months)
You must enroll in language classes in your host country to qualify for the student visa (mandatory for any placement over 3 months, excluding Germany.) These classes cost roughly 170 Euro a month for 10 hour of study a week. Classes do not have to be taken for the entire duration of your stay.
NOTE: If you will be participating in the Italy summer program you will enter under a tourist visa and will not have to take language classes or apply for a student visa.
-For EU passport-holding citizens: (up to 12 months)
A student visa is not necessary.
-All other nationalities:
If you are able to secure a student visa on your own by signing up for language classes we will be able to find you a placement. - Intermediate level of language in destination country, excluding Germany (no German required)
- Enjoy working with children, experience preferred but not required
- Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
- High level of responsibility, patience, and adaptability
- Dedication to the full term of commitment
- High school diploma
2009 Program Fees
3-12 months US$1250
*Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion
**Please note-prices are subject to change according to world currency exchange rate
*** Non-EU citizens cannot work more than 3 months unless taking language classes to obtain a student visa (excluding Germany)
**** Please note that program fee does not include any applicable visa fees
How to Apply
1. Obtain the Work Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:
(a) Download the forms: Work Form (PDF). Childcare Work Program Details and FAQ (PDF) .
(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.
(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free) to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.
2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.
3. Submit your completed application packet to:
CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA
Completed packet should include:
- Work Program Application
- Signed Work Agreement
- Copy of your passport (information page only)
- University/College transcript (official please)
- Copies of diploma or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter explaining why you want to work as a childcare provider in your host country, and why you think you are capable of handling this type of work
- Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
- Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
- Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station)
- Four 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
- One smiling full-length photo of yourself
- US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)
Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minute phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program.
We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your internship.
*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or fewer before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received fewer than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.
