Frequently Asked Questions for Candidates
Want to know more about Little Sunshines Au Pair Agency? Here is a list of frequently asked questions…
What types of positions do you place?
- Au Pairs
- Governesses
- Tutors
- Home School Teachers
- School Facilitators – you attend school WITH the child to assist them
How do I know if I am registered with you?
If you have attended a face-to-face interview with us and have paid the R150 fee then you are registered with us.
How do I register with your agency?
Please complete the Application Form – it takes less than 2 minutes! If your application is successful then we will EMAIL you within 3 WORKING DAYS to arrange an interview. So please look out for this email!
Where can I email my CV?
We do NOT accept CV applications. Please do not send us your CV unless requested to do so. Please complete the Application Form – it takes less than 2 minutes.
Do you assist with overseas placements?
No we do not.
Do you offer Au Pair Training?
Yes we do. Please visit the Courses link for further information on all the courses we offer Little Sunshines Academy.
Is it compulsory that I do Training in order to register with your agency?
No. Though it is highly recommended.
What requirements do I need to fulfill to register with your agency?
- Own roadworthy car with seat belts in the back – this WILL be checked
- Valid drivers license – this WILL be checked
- No criminal record – this WILL be checked
- Passed Matric or A-Levels – this WILL be checked
Must I have my own car and a valid drivers license?
Yes. We cannot assist you if you do not. Our families require that our candidates have their own cars and a drivers license.
Do you have further agency requirements?
We treat all candidates on a case-by-case basis, matching families and candidates according to position specifications etc.
What ages do you place?
Mostly 20 to 50 though we have placed outside this age group.
What areas do you focus on?
Johannesburg – all areas
Pretoria – all areas
Cape Town – all areas
Durban – all areas
Where can I find your current and active vacancies?
Please go to our vacancies page on our website which has a list of ALL our CURRENT vacancies. This is the best place to see our vacancies.
I am not receiving the weekly job spec email. Please advise?
Sometimes servers block this email, which we have no control over whatsoever. We therefore recommend that you please go to our vacancies page on our website which has a list of ALL our CURRENT vacancies. This is the best place to see our vacancies.
How long will the agency take to find a position for me?
We aim to place most applicants within 2 to 4 weeks of successfully registering with the agency however this is not always the case as there aren’t always suitable positions available. Please also note that we cannot force families to meet with candidates. We send out a number of CVs to each family, and they elect whom they wish to interview.
Must I have completed a first aid course?
Some families require that the candidate has completed a first aid course. We do recommend that you do a first aid course. Please go to our First Aid Course link for companies we recommend where you can do a First Aid Course.
What tips can you give me for attending interviews?
Please go to our attending interviews link for interview tips.
What may prevent a family from interviewing me?
- if your salary is unrealistic
- if you are older than 50 years of age, it will take longer to place you as most families are looking for au pairs who are younger than 50
- if you won’t do babysitting, or if you won’t work on public holidays and weekends this may prevent families from meeting with you as many families require au pairs to work additional hours, which is a standard job function of an au pair
- if you have your own young children, as many families do not want to employ an au pair who has their own young children
- if you smoke, as many families require non-smokers
- if you haven’t had actual au pair experience
- if you do not reside in their area
- if you do not speak the language they require – some families require Afrikaans speaking au pairs etc.
- there are many other barriers to entry in terms of families electing to interview candidates, however we have placed thousands of au pairs over the years so stay positive!!
I can see that there are vacancies that match my criteria however I haven’t heard from you in terms of those positions. Why is this the case?
Whilst it may seem that there are positions available on the vacancies page that match up to your criteria, this isn’t always the case. Either we have already submitted your CV to the family and they elected not to interview you for whatsoever reason, or alternatively the position has further requirements which aren’t displayed on the vacancies page, which you do not fulfill. We can assure you however that as soon as a suitable position comes up, or as soon as a family wishes to interview you, we will contact you. It is in our best interests to do so! However please note we cannot force families to meet with you. The decision remains up to the family whether or not they choose to meet a candidate.
What salary can I expect to earn?
Kindly read our Au Pair Salaries page for more information regarding salaries and what you can expect to earn. Please note however that this is also dependent on your qualifications, experience and what the client has put forward as a possible salary.
What happens if I get placed with a client but they don’t pay the agency placement fee?
Please read our candidate agency terms for a detailed answer.
Who pays my monthly salary?
The family will pay your monthly salary directly to you, on or before the last day of the month. You are NOT employed by the Agency.
Who pays my petrol?
Regarding petrol, if you are using your own car then the family would have to cover your petrol costs for travel during your working hours (not to and from work). The family will reimburse employees at AA rates.
Do many families provide cars?
No. This is not very common.
What are typical au pair job functions?
Please go to our au pair job functions link to see a list of typical au pair job functions.
Will I be required to work overtime?
More than likely yes. It should also be noted that in positions where the salary exceeds R17 000 gross per month, overtime pay is not required.
Will I be required to travel with the family?
This depends on the family. It should also be noted that in positions where the salary exceeds R17 000 gross per month, overtime pay is not required. If you do not want to travel with the family then you need to inform us of this during the agency interview.
How many positions will you put me forward for?
As many positions as possible – ensuring that general criteria / requirements are matched and that your values, beliefs, morals, life outlook etc. match up to those of the client.
Do you provide on-going assistance after the placement?
Yes we do. If you have any queries or concerns in relation to the family that we have placed you with, simply contact us and we will gladly be of assistance.
Must I let you know if I am leaving the family you placed me with?
Yes please. We like to keep our records up to date. We can also assist you with finding another position.
To Apply with the Agency Please CLICK HERE
If you are already registered with the agency and you HAVE met us,
please email positions@littlesunshines.co.za for further assistance
