Ireland’s Specialist Au Pair Agency — 20 Years of Trusted Placements
Spanish Au Pair is Ireland’s longest-established specialist au pair agency, with over 20 years of experience placing qualified Spanish au pairs with families across Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry, Kildare, Meath and beyond. Unlike general childcare agencies, we work exclusively with Spanish au pairs — recruiting directly at source in Spain through partner agencies and childcare institutions. Every candidate we place has a genuine childcare background: teachers, nurses, qualified carers and early years practitioners. Not gap-year travellers.
Why Use an Au Pair Agency in Ireland?
Finding an au pair independently carries real risk. Without professional vetting, families are relying on self-reported experience, unverified references and profiles that can misrepresent qualifications. A specialist agency takes that risk off the table entirely.
When you register with Spanish Au Pair, you receive:
- Fully vetted candidates with verified childcare backgrounds and Spanish police clearance
- A dedicated matching process based on your family’s specific needs, location and children’s ages
- Replacement guarantee included with every placement
- Seven-day support throughout the duration of the placement
- 20 years of experience navigating Irish family requirements
For Irish families, using a registered au pair agency also provides a clear, documented arrangement from the outset — protecting both family and au pair throughout the placement.
What Makes Spanish Au Pair Different from Other Irish Au Pair Agencies?
Most au pair agencies in Ireland place candidates from across Europe with a broad range of backgrounds. We, however, do things differently. We specialise exclusively in Spanish au pairs — and only in candidates with proven, professional childcare experience. As a result, that distinction matters enormously for Irish families. Spain has one of the strongest early childhood education systems in Europe, and consequently, the candidates on our books reflect that standard.
We specialise exclusively in Spanish au pairs — and only in candidates with proven, professional childcare experience. That distinction matters enormously for Irish families. Spain has one of the strongest early childhood education systems in Europe, and the candidates on our books reflect that standard. Every au pair we place has worked with children in a professional or semi-professional capacity before arriving in Ireland — whether as a primary school teacher, a paediatric nurse, a qualified crèche practitioner or an early years specialist.
Irish families consistently tell us that their Spanish au pair becomes part of the family within weeks. That’s not coincidence. It’s the result of cultural warmth, professional training and a genuine love of working with children that is deeply embedded in Spanish family life.
What you won’t find on our books: first-time babysitters, gap-year travellers or candidates without documented childcare experience.
How the Matching Process Works
Registering with us is straightforward. Once you submit your Host Family Questionnaire, we review your family’s requirements — number of children, ages, location, start date and live-in or live-out preference. As a result, we match you with suitable vetted candidates from our current pool. Most families, therefore, receive their first profiles within one to three business days. You review the profiles, we facilitate introductions, and because of this, once you’ve selected your au pair we handle the placement paperwork and provide an onboarding support pack. Furthermore, we remain available seven days a week throughout the placement by phone and email.
Au Pair Agency Ireland — Our Packages
We offer four placement packages to suit different family needs and timelines:
Platinum — €775 | Unlimited placements for 9 months. Ideal for families seeking a long-term arrangement.
Silver — €675 | Unlimited placements for 6 months. Our most popular package for families planning ahead.
Summer — €400 | Summer placements from June to September. Designed for families who need childcare cover during the school holidays.
Flexi-Pay — €175 per month | Pay monthly with no long-term commitment. Cancel any time. Ireland’s only au pair agency offering experienced candidates on a monthly basis.
All packages include a registration fee and an early bird discount of 10% when paid in full at registration. Early bird families are prioritised in our candidate matching queue.
Areas We Serve Across Ireland
We place Spanish au pairs with families across the entire country. Our most active placement areas include:
Au Pair Dublin | Au Pair Cork | Au Pair Galway | Au Pair Kerry | Au Pair Kildare | Au Pair Ireland
If you are outside these areas, contact us directly — we place au pairs in Limerick, Wicklow, Meath, Wexford, Waterford and all counties nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does an au pair agency charge in Ireland? Registration fees at most Irish au pair agencies range from €75 upward, with total placement fees typically between €400 and €800 depending on duration and level of service. At Spanish Au Pair, packages range from €400 (summer) to €775 (9-month platinum), with the €75 registration fee included. No hidden costs — you know the full fee before you commit.
Q: What is the difference between finding an au pair independently and using an agency? Using an agency provides professional vetting, verified references, police clearance checks and ongoing placement support. Finding an au pair independently places the full burden of vetting, contracting and support on the family. For most Irish families, the agency fee represents significant peace of mind rather than just a cost.
Q: Do I need to use a registered agency to hire an au pair in Ireland? There is no legal requirement, but using a registered agency provides a documented, structured arrangement that protects both family and au pair. Spanish Au Pair is a registered employment agency (EA 4801) operating under Irish employment agency legislation.
Q: How long does it take to match with an au pair? Most families receive their first candidate profiles within one to three business days of submitting their questionnaire. Full placement is typically completed within one to two weeks depending on candidate availability and family requirements.
Q: Can I get a replacement if the placement doesn’t work out? Yes. A replacement guarantee is included with every placement package. If a placement does not work out for any reason, we will match you with a new candidate at no additional placement fee within your package period.
Q: Do Spanish au pairs need Garda vetting in Ireland? Spanish au pairs provide Spanish police clearance before placement, which is included on every candidate profile. Families may also request Garda vetting through the National Vetting Bureau. We advise all families on the vetting process as part of our onboarding support.
Ready to Find Your Au Pair?
Register today and we’ll be in touch within one business day with candidate profiles matched to your family’s needs. Summer 2026 placements are filling fast — August and September long-term placements are now matching.
📞 +353 (0)21 474 2115 📧 info@spanishaupair.ie
