Au Pair in America: live-in child care.

Culture Quests

Au Pairs in General | Child Care Practices | Driving Skills | English Language Skills
Education | Health | Diet | Religion | Telephone and Internet

The following information is generalized and compiled from questions posed to the agents and interviewers in Czech Republic. Although au pairs from this country may or may not have had these experiences/beliefs, Au Pair in America wishes to share this general information with our families.

Au Pairs in General

• The idea of being an au pair is becoming common in the Czech Republic.
• Applicants from the Czech Republic are motivated by opportunities to improve their English, see new places and meet new people.
• The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to the Czech Republic.
• Applicants generally do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
• Young girls in the Czech Republic have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
• Curfews are not common.
• Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
• Nudity is not common, though people do sunbathe in the nude.
• Applicants from the Czech Republic describe themselves as being flexible and excited about the au pair program.
  

Child Care Practices

• Common discipline techniques include verbal reprimands and discussions about respect.
• Physical discipline is not common in the Czech Republic.
• Applicants obtain childcare experience through formal schooling and family experience.
• Usually both parents share the childrearing responsibilities.
• It is common for both parents to work and be away from home during the day.

Driving Skills

• The minimum driving age is 18. Most applicants obtain their driving license at age 18.
• A driving license is not difficult to obtain, but it is expensive.
• It takes approximately three or four month obtain a license in the Czech Republic.
• To obtain a driving license in the Czech Republic, applicants must pass a theoretical test and practical test.
• The International driving permit is available.
• Applicants typically take formal driving lessons and practice driving using their parents’ car.
• Most cars have manual transmissions.
  

English Language Skills

• English is compulsory in schools and applicants begin studying at the age of 9 or 10.
• Classes focus on both oral and written skills.
  

Education

• Approximately 70% of young women continue their studies at university.
• Those who do not attend university work or start families.
• The academic year in the Czech Republic starts in September and ends in June.
• The educational opportunities of the program are not a priority to applicants.

Health

• The most common inoculations are tetanus, tuberculosis.
• Most young women are inoculated and tested for TB (tuberculosis).
• The Czech Republic has a free health service.
• Most young women visit the dentist on a regular basis.
• “Eating disorders” are not common, but do occur.

Diet

• Most young people in the Czech Republic eat meat.
• Vegetarianism is also common.
• A typical diet includes meat, vegetables, potatoes, rice, pasta and sweets.
  

Religion

• The most common religion in the Czech Republic is Catholicism.
• Most young people in the Czech Republic do not practice their religion regularly.

Telephone & Internet

• Most homes have a telephone and a computer with access to the Internet.
• Family members will be able to take a message in English from a potential host family.
  

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