New Au Pair Association to Raise Industry Standards
A new association which promises to implement and enforce new guidelines for au pair agencies is set to shake up the country’s childcare industry.
The New Zealand Au Pair Association (NZAPA) was created to protect both au pairs and the host families they work for, in-line with international regulations, says its president Cecilia Robinson.
Robinson who runs an agency herself, Au Pair Link, says it was important to have a set of regulations where local agencies could work together to raise industry standards.
“The role of the NZAPA is to ensure that basic rules are complied with,” says Robsinson. “This means things like guaranteeing host families are paying their au pair the minimum wage and addressing the concerns of both parties.”
An au pair is typically a young person from abroad employed by a family to care for their children and help with light housework in return for a small monetary allowance, room, meals and an opportunity to further study the local language, she says.
Robinson says the new association will ensure that the duties of au pairs are thoroughly stipulated. “It’s important that they’re not being treated as housekeepers or slaves and that children of host families are protected by making sure that all au pairs are thoroughly screened.”
These guidelines, says Robinson, are currently being neglected by many of New Zealand’s au pair agencies.
“I set up the association because there are 13 au pair agencies that we know of operating in New Zealand and all work to completely different standards. I have heard horror stories of au pairs who have been dumped in hostels without any communication or information and have to wait there until their host family decides to pick them up.”
Robinson says that her own agency is the only one in Australisia approved by the International Au Pair Association. While gaining this accrediation, she was prompted to establish a local association on the advice of the board’s chairman.
“We would like all of the agencies in New Zealand to have the same international standards as those overseas. We want to enforce a strict screening process including proper medical checks, police records, and references,” she says.
Robinson says NZAPA members must meet firm business and ethical standards as well as agree to the NZAPA’s code of conduct.
For more information see: www.nzapa.org.nz
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Notes to editors:
Cecilia Robinson - Biography
Swedish born entrepreneur Cecilia Robinson established the au pair agency Au Pair Link in April 2007. The agency is based on the European and American model of an Au Pair agency. On April 1, 2009, Au Pair Link became the first Au Pair agency in New Zealand to become licensed by the Ministry of Education.
In June 2009 Cecilia won the Bloom Her Business Best New Business of the year 2009 award. The judges’ recognised the innovative new service which Cecilia’s company Au Pair Link provides; the goal orientated management as well as their impressive growth in the market.
Leanne French – Biography (MNZAC)
Leanne French is a well-respected therapist who has worked as a Family Court Counsellor, Addictions Counsellor, Relationship Counsellor and consultant to individuals for over twenty years. She has also provided Corporate Counselling for a number of successful businesses. Having gained the label "relationship expert" she now prefers to write, coach and consult. She has published a number of magazine feature articles and contributed to numerous other columns in magazines, newspapers and online articles.