Since 2007, Au Pair Extraordinaire has helped South African families find carefully screened childcare and education professionals who are genuinely suited to their homes.

Our director, Charne Peters, is regularly invited to contribute to conversations about au pairing, childcare, working families and employment opportunities for young South Africans. Listen to our interviews and explore selected media features below.

 

CapeTalk: Is Au Pairing a Good Gap Year Option After Matric?

Charne Peters joined Lester Kiewit on CapeTalk to discuss whether au pairing can be a worthwhile gap-year opportunity for matriculants.

The conversation covers the experience and personal qualities required to become an au pair, what the role actually involves and how young people can decide whether au pairing is the right fit for them.

Listen on CapeTalk: Is au pairing a good gap year option for matriculants?

News24: How Au Pairing Is Changing for a New Generation

News24 explores the opportunities and changing expectations surrounding professional au pair roles, including the highly specialised positions available to suitably experienced candidates.

While exceptional international and executive roles are not representative of ordinary au pair placements, the feature highlights how valuable the right combination of childcare experience, professionalism, flexibility and strong references can be.

Read the News24 feature: From luxury trips to private chefs: How Gen Z is striking gold as au pairs for billionaires

 

MixFM Interview with Charne Peters

Charne Peters joined MixFM for a conversation about au pairing, childcare and the important role that professional au pairs can play in supporting South African families.

MixFM has since closed and its online broadcast archive is no longer available. We have therefore preserved the original interview recording here for those who would like to listen.

News24: The Growing Need for Childcare Support

During the COVID-19 lockdown, News24 spoke to Charne Peters about the growing pressure on parents who were trying to manage employment, parenting and home-based education simultaneously.

Au Pair Extraordinaire recorded a 64% increase in enquiries during this period. Charne also discussed the growing interest from businesses exploring ways to help employees access temporary childcare and educational support.

Read the News24 feature: Uptick in childminder queries, as businesses offer to subsidise childcare costs

 

Sunday Times: Au Pairs Supporting South Africa’s Working Families

The Sunday Times explored the increasingly important role au pairs play in the lives of busy working families, from helping with school transport and homework to providing reliable structure and support during the working week.

Read the Sunday Times feature: Busy working mothers put au pairs in the driving seat

 

Looking for the Right Au Pair?

Finding an au pair is about far more than filling a position. It is about choosing someone who will become part of your children’s everyday lives and whose experience, personality and values feel right for your family.

Au Pair Extraordinaire assists families across Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

[Learn more about finding an au pair]

Interested in Becoming an Au Pair?

If you have a matric certificate, a valid driver’s licence, your own reliable car and at least one year of relevant childcare experience with unrelated families or professional employers, explore our candidate information and current opportunities.

[Learn more about becoming an au pair]