You are planning on setting out on a wonderful experience of being a nanny, mother's help or an au pair in another country, another culture, living with a family not your own, moving out of your security zone away from your family, friends and neighbourhood.

It is all very exciting but it can be rather scary not knowing what's involved or how to make a start!

So what would you want to know before you make this commitment?  

What is important to you?  

Would you want an organisation that actually takes care of you in so many ways, from the time of enquiry to completion of your placement and whilst you are in the country of choice until your return home?

If your answer to these questions is YES then read on.

In the beginning:

• If lots of choice is what you want then visit our informative website and see the number of countries on offer. Read some of the letters from other aupairs and yes, even have a look at the page "About Us" to see who we are and what we look like
• You have shown your interest in cultural exchange now, from the moment of contact, we are interested in what you want to do.
• Want to know what cultural exchange is all about?  Call us and we will explain.
• Need information? We are here to provided you with full information about the specific program of interest, free of charge
• We listen to your hopes, make suggestions and help you to make an informed choice of country
• Are you are looking for a guaranteed placement?  No problem provided your application meets the program criteria.
• Are safe and secure the words you want to hear? All our placements are safe and secure so when you decide to commit to the program and pay your commitment fee, JCR provides that safe and secure program and ongoing commitment to you, in return.
• Are the families checked out?  Yes they are by our overseas associate office, in fact many families are repeat families and so well known to us.

The application process:

• The application has an instruction page which is easy to read, understand and follow
• Need some help, not sure how to proceed, call or email us we are there to help
• Want to run some ideas by us or ask about the letter to the family, call or email us for helpful ideas and suggestions
• You will be assisted every step of the way without having to query these steps
• You are guided as to how to do your application so that it will make a good impression on a prospective family who will want to call you.

The matching process:

• Want to know if you will match with a family for SURE?  If you meet the requirements of the program to your country of choice then JCR continues working with you and on your behalf until such time as you have found the family you want to match with.
• When your application is received it is carefully checked and presented to send overseas.  We will report back to you.
• Want to know how to do the telephone interview with a prospective family? When your application is sent to the overseas office a letter is sent to you explaining how to do a telephone interview, how to promote yourself, explaining what you should be aware of and giving suggestions for questions to ask.
• How will you know if you want to speak to the family?  We will provide information about the family interested in you and will discuss them with you to make sure that they do appeal to you. You choose if you want to be interviewed by the family.
• We advise the time difference between us and the overseas country. Only then are some convenient times set up for the family interview call and we talk about things to be aware of in this all-important part of the process.
• JCR advises the overseas office of the days and times you are available to take a call. We make sure that the family is aware of your correct contact details.
• You call us to tell us about the interview, to bring up any points you wish to make. If anything needs to be negotiated between yourself and the host family JCR does this on your behalf
• You make the decision to match with the family and let us know.  Because a family calls you it doesn’t mean that you need to match with them. You would agree to match only when you feel absolutely comfortable with the family and they have asked if you will match with them.
• JCR confirms your agreement to match with our overseas associate.
• Is making sure everything is in writing important to you? Of course it is, so JCR ensures that an agreement is drawn up between yourself and the host family which states rate of pay, hours to be worked etc. It is signed by both parties. Everyone has a copy which means that should any issues arise everything originally agreed is documented. It is at this time that the placement fee is payable. The service and protection continues.
• Do you want to know what to expect, living in another country? JCR anticipates that expectation. We know that it can be a little overwhelming to begin with so prior to departure we send full contact details of your special contact person and two booklets, one to fully prepare you to cope with homesickness, culture shock, fitting in with your host family and their children, how things are done in the host country and one a childcare booklet providing information about things to do with children from birth to 12 yrs.
• Our overseas associate knows your arrival date and time. We confirm before you leave that you will be met at the airport by the family or their representative.
• You will have your own special contact person in the country of choice. They will be expecting to hear from you when you arrive. They are there to provide "on the spot" back up and support in partnership with us.

The visa process:

• Want to experience an easy process?  JCR provides specific country information regarding the visa application, what to be aware of and how to go about applying.
• What documents will I need? JCR makes sure that you receive all necessary visa documents applicable to the country applying to go to that will be required for the application.
• If you find it difficult to follow a country web site or you are not sure how to answer questions on the application form a call to JCR will provide immediate help
• If you are applying for the UK Youth Mobility Visa, the Canadian 2 year Working Holiday visa or the 12 month Working Holiday visa to Ireland, all of which can be a bit of a hassle to apply for, JCR has an associate who will, for a small fee, actually do the visa application for you to ensure that the visa is issued. They actually offer a full range of UK services so can help apply for an ancestral visa a UK passport or open a bank account. Full service to Canada and Ireland is also provided.

No worries!!!!!

Flights and travel insurance:

• Want a good source to find good airfares? Ask us we will point you in the right direction so that you can work with an organisation that has branches world wide and understands how the visas work.
• Want a good source to find good travel/health insurance cover?  Ask us we will point the way.
• When we wish you Bon Voyage we are not saying Goodbye as JCR is still there providing back up and support the entire time you are on a JCR program:
• Are full back up and support the words you want to hear? Full details of your contact person in the host country will be provided to you prior to flying. Give yourself a chance to get over jet lag then call your contact person who always speaks English. She knows the host family and now she will get to know you. She is there the entire time that you are with the host family.  Need to know about something, call her, she can help you.  Need some help with an issue, call her for advice or to intercede on your behalf.  An objective email to JCR will ensure help, working together with your contact person, to resolve any situation.
• Want a cultural experience and make lifelong friends along the way?  Our programs are geared to cultural interchange so you will get a list of other young people from all over the world with their contact details. It is up to you to call them and meet them and so start the process of making good friends. You also live with a family at "grass roots" level so you really get to know the country and its culture and probably learn a lot of a new language, maybe even get back home speaking that language fluently.
• Our associate and the staff at head office are there for you the entire time you are on the JCR program.  
• What happens if a difference between myself and the host family can’t be resolved and I am unhappy?  As long as we know, JCR and their associate will put you forward to other families to interview with and find a new position. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen often but if it should then we are there for you.
• What happens if there should be any kind of threat to my well being? We need to know very quickly where upon we and our associate will move you out of the situation even if you have to go to a hostel for a while until you have matched with another family.  It rarely ever happens but if it should we are always there for you.
• JCR is protective of you at all times
• JCR supports you at all times
• JCR programs provide a safe and secure environment
• JCR programs provide the "insurance" of a terrific year abroad given your ability to adapt to your new surroundings   

IMAGINE LOVING YOUR WORK AND YOUR WORK LOVING YOU!

The magic's in the doing!

Now that you have read all about the JCR Experience and the services that JCR provides on our safe and secure programs here is how little it costs to make it all happen.

Committment Fee AU $220 (incl GST, non refundable)
We send you the application forms and help you start putting your application together.

Placement fee: AU $850
On confirmation of a mutually agreed placement with a family.

Early Bird Discount:
If your application reaches us by the date JCR specifies, you will receive a discount of AU $100 off the placement fee and will pay only AU $750.

Enquire now by completing the Enquiry Form.