JCR is a founder member of the Universal Au-pair Association. We operate globally in many countries with the global head office being situated in Melbourne, Australia.

JCR global has been sending aupairs to overseas countries where there is a legal visa and we can provide in country full back up and support, since 1992.

JCR has exclusive associate offices in all countries offered and therefore is able to offer secure and well supported positions to prospective au pairs, mother's helps and nannies.

What is an Au Pair?

The word au pair comes from French meaning "on a par" or "on the same level". The French refer to it as "jeune fille au pair" meaning "young girl as one of us". The idea is to have a young girl in the home as one of the family to help with light household duties and child care. However, she is not expected to be another child in the home but a responsible, reliable young adult. Au pair has become the general term used in most countries to mean a young person who lives with a family, full board and lodge, doing light household duties, helping with the children and is paid some pocket money.  Each country has its own regulations governing the aupair program and visa. On average, an au pair works 25 hours per week plus 2 nights babysitting, has 1-1½ days free per week and paid leave according to the country.

What is a Mother's Help? 

A mother's help has really good practical childcare experience but is not childcare qualified. She cares for the children sometimes alongside the host mother or sole charge. She will do housework such as washing and ironing, shopping, preparing meals and generally help around the house with light housework.  She could take the children to & from school and take them to extra-curricular activities.  She would work about 45-50 hours per week plus 2 nights babysitting, has 1½ - 2 days free per week and paid leave according to the country.

What is a Nanny? 

A nanny is a qualified and experienced childcare provider. A nanny requires a minimum of a Nanny Certificate, Certificate 3 or a Diploma in Childcare, or:

• have a nursery or pre-school teacher's qualification
• be experienced in childcare as a group leader or assistant, teacher or nurse
• have a minimum of two years of verifiable professional experience as a live-in care giver with infants, toddlers and young children.

A nanny must be at least age 20 years old. She will be expected to take complete charge of the children, attending to all their needs including washing, ironing, cooking, and toilet training if required. Above all she should be able to mentally stimulate and entertain the children providing a full range of activities suited to the child/children’s age and ability both indoors and outdoors. She would work between 45-60 hours per week plus two nights babysitting per week, have 1½ - 2 days off per week usually at the weekends and receive paid leave according to the country.

I only speak English. Can I go to a non-English speaking country?

Yes! JCR has an ongoing demand for English mother tongue speaking candidates. Host parents want their carer to speak English to their children as a living language. If you wish to learn to speak the language of the country host parents will be happy to help you to learn by speaking to you in their home language. All European countries require that you attend language school, however when you are surrounded by the language from morning till late at night you will soon find yourself speaking with ease and confidence. The European programs allow you to experience the culture of the country of your choice, learn the language and enjoy being part of a family at a 'grass roots' level.

Why should I use an Agency such as JCR Au Pairs and Nannies? What do I get for the small fee I pay JCR?

JCR prides itself on its high level of professionalism. Our programs are safe and secure. JCR has an enviable global reputation for the quality of our applicants, our attention to detail and our service. Our overseas associates and host families know the quality of a JCR applicant so there is always a demand for our au pairs, mother's helps and nannies. In turn our applicants know that we have only the very best families. This means that our applicants make a match with the host family they feel most comfortable with, prior to their departure.[See letters from aupairs ]

Everything is done to smooth the way from time of application to when you fly out to your placement. With JCR you have the security of being a legal participant with a proper au pair or cultural exchange visa. JCR knows all the ins and outs of what visa is required and how it is applied for.

With JCR you have the security of knowing that the family you are going to has been thoroughly checked out. They have been given guidelines as to having an au pair or nanny living with them in their home. They are aware of the number of hours you may help and your entitlements, in the same way that you will be guided before you leave for your host family.

You get to interview by telephone or Skype with prospective families, to talk through with JCR what you have learned in the interview, to put forward your thoughts about the family before making your decision to match or not.

JCR is always there to protect you, advise you, and answer queries you may have.  

JCR is proud of our excellent worldwide reputation, and proud of the many young people that we have helped to an amazing experience over these many years.

See the JCR Experience for all that we do for our clients.

Placement duration and country information:

The majority of aupair positions are for 12 months, but 3, 6 and 9 month positions are available but not as frequently or in all countries, and can take some time to organise. Here is a guide so you can choose the right country to view information:

3 month summer aupair over mid June to mid September each year: See Austria, France, Holland, Italy, Spain.

3 month winter aupair over mid November to end February each year: See Canada and Spain.

3 month aupair placements throughout the year: Italy,  Spain and France.

6 month aupair placements throughout the year: France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Spain.

12 month placements throughout the year: All countries.

Nannies: Minimum 12 months commitment in Canada, Ireland, UK, USA. There are nanny 12 month  placements in Holland and in Germany also but not as many as in the other 4 countries where there is a constant demand.

Male applicants: Placements in Austria, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, France, Japan, Spain. There are a small number of opportunities for males to Italy, the UK and the USA but one must be patient as it can take some time for a placement.

Your Australian or New Zealand passport must be valid for at least six months longer than the time period you plan to be away for.

Provided an application meets the requirements of a program, such as age, education, non smoking, ability to drive, the number of months required by the program, good physical and mental health, no criminal record; then JCR is able to guarantee a placement. We cannot guarantee a specific day, week or even month but we will place you, if you are patient!

Placement procedure:

• Talk to us about the country you wish to go to including suggestions that we may make. Decide to make an application.
• Pay the commitment fee by credit/debit card or direct into our bank account.
• We send you the application forms and the easy to understand instructions to your email address.
• You post back your completed application to our P.O. Box address.
• We prepare your application and send it to our associate office in the country you are applying for.
• As soon as we hear about a possible family/ies we contact you to talk about them and to send you written information. If you wish to interview with a family, we help arrange a suitable time.
• You liaise with us during the interview and matching process. You then advise if you would like to match. We advise the overseas office.
• We receive the offer from overseas for you to join the family. If you accept the family we have a match. You sign the family agreement.
• We invoice the placement fee which is payable on presentation of the invoice.
• We send you two handbooks, one about childcare and things to do with children, and one about being a child carer in another country to prepare you for the transition to another culture.
• We provide full details of your special contact person who will be there for you while you are away.
• We send information about applying for the visa
• You apply for your visa and look for your flight unless it is being provided.
• You advise visa issuance and flight details.  If you are provided with a flight, the E ticket is sent to you.
• We wish you a safe flight and happy landings.