Last summer, when the holidays were looming and the prospect of keeping our children entertained all day every day was playing on my mind, I thought to myself what I could really do with is an extra pair of hands. Well, they say you only have to wish hard enough. In my case, Carole Browne of Belaf came to the rescue. She can arrange for a French student (17-19 years) to come to England for 3 to 4 weeks on a ‘work for keep’ scheme. Sophie spent the whole of July with us, was an instant hit with our 20 month old son and everyone was in tears the day she left! The student’s aim is to improve their English and, in return, the family receives a lot of valuable help looking after their children. The reason it doesn’t cost you anything is that for students in France it is obligatory to do some work experience and some choose to do that in England. For working mothers, Belaf can also organise a summer holiday au pair (who would receive a weekly salary) for longer periods.
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