Au Pair Agency: Wind Connections

Wind Connections is a recognized Au Pair agency with a professional approach to find the best candidate for each family. We are based in Switzerland and we have an international placement licence. As of 2008, we have a license to place candidates in Liechtenstein as well.

We interview all qualified candidates in Canada and Australia to evaluate their interest, aptitude, motivation and experience to work with children. In Switzerland, we ensure that our files comply with Swiss regulations and we meet all families to better understand their needs and expectations. Based on our comprehensive knowledge of both candidates and families, we propose the best match to maximize the chances of success for all.

Wind Connections handles information with confidentiality. We guide families through all official and administrative tasks to obtain a visa / work permit and we help Au Pairs get ready for their new challenge. Moreover, we facilitate the Au Pair integration in her new environment and also support both parties during the year they spend together.

We are always interested in your opinions or suggestions, so do not hesitate to contact us using our contact form.

Wind Connections team

SWITZERLAND

Zurich:

Andrée Wind, one of Wind Connections partners, has dual Canadian/Swiss nationality. She is a director of the Canadian Swiss Chamber of Commerce and manages the licensed Au Pair agency. She can assist you in English, French or German. Our 8 Canadian recruiting agents interview all applicants because our goal is to present qualified, reliable and motivated candidates t o Swiss families.

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CANADA

Vancouver:

My name is Mara Elwood, and I interview potential candidates for Wind Connections in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I have been working with children since I was 12 years old. I was a babysitter, a Sunday school aide, a nanny and then later a teacher of elementary and high school students learning English, a manager of a school age program, and finally an Early Childhood Educator. I am also a mother of two boys. I speak a little French and am fluent in German and English. I was born in Germany, but have lived in Canada for most of my life since age 9. I love to work with fabrics and words. I love to knit and read. I love the outdoors, and travelling. I believe that children are the future of our today, and I strive to provide for the ones I come in contact with, a safe, nurturing, peaceful world.

Interviewing potential candidates for Wind Connections lets me meet many interesting people, and indirectly continue with providing for the future of our today.

 

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Saskatoon:

I'm Carol Ritchie, pictured here with my family. We live in the town of Warman, just outside of Saskatoon, SK, Canada. I hold a degree in Home Economics with a major in Family Studies. I have worked with developmentally handicapped adults and children in various capacities (group home and supported independent living counsellor, day program instructor and educational assistant). For a time, I provided child care in my own home and most recently I have been a supervisor with Canada Post. As you can see, I have four teenaged children who keep me on my toes, and as such, I consider myself well-suited to select prospective child care providers. When I'm not busy being a mom, I enjoy writing, travelling & needlework.

 

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Winnipeg:

Hello/Bonjour, my name is Paulette McMurchy, I interview candidates for Wind Connections Aupair Agency in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I am a mother of 2 as you can see in the picture. I am Bilingual and an Early Childhood Educator Level 3. I have worked in the Child Care field for 10 years before moving on to Canada Post as a customer service representative. I am currently a Supervisor at the Winnipeg Mail Processing Plant. I have been interviewing candidates for Wind Connections Aupair Agency for about 6 years and have greatly enjoyed meeting the candidates. I look forward to many more enjoyable and successful years with Wind Connections.

 

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Ottawa:

My name is Martine Ostiguy. I was born in Quebec but I now live in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. I have two children: a 19 years old daughter who is completing her science studies at the university and a 15 year old boy who is studying in high school. I was very lucky to stay home for 5 years with my children. It gave me the possibility to form a strong bond and enjoy magical moments of life with them.

I studied in Sherbrooke University in business administration and computer system management and I work for Export Development Canada in this field. I like to be active and I really enjoy outdoor sports such as tennis, sailing and bicycle. I am also a children ski teacher. I like meeting new candidates at the Au Pair agency and talk about this great opportunity to work and live in Switzerland for a year.

 

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Montréal:

My name is Josée Ladouceur. I live in Montreal, PQ, Canada. I studied at Sheridan school of design in Toronto to become jeweller and I completed a pedagogy certificate at Concordia university of Montreal. As jeweller, I participated in group and solo exhibitions across Canada and USA from 1983 to 2002. Since 1985, I coordinate artistic events for art galleries and museums in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec. I worked with young talents during eight years as jewellery teacher at La Salle College in Montréal (1990 à 1998). Last but not least, I am the manager and archivist of Jean-Paul Ladouceur succession since 1994. Andrée Wind is a good friend and I interview Au Pair candidates with pleasure because I like the contact with young and dynamic people.

 

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Sherbrooke:

My name is Suzanne Frenette. I live in Sherbrooke, PQ, Canada. I really like the contact with people so it influenced me to become a registered nurse. I worked several years as psychiatric nurse and I was trained to lead group psychotherapies. I have ten years of experience in clinic & fundamental research in a university hospital. Now, I am a student in Sherbrooke University at the theology, ethic and philosophy department. I enjoy selecting candidates for Wind Connections because I am convince that the Swiss au pair program is an enriching experience and bring a new/interesting opening to the world.

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