What is an au pair?
An au pair is a young person who moves to another country to learn the language
and culture. Au pair lives as a member of the family and helps in the home for 25-30
hours a week with at least two full days
off a week, in return for pocket money as well as room and board.
Duties of au pair can include anything that is related to the children, such as looking after children, doing their laundry, cooking meals for them, tidying up their playrooms and bedrooms and driving or walking them to school. Au pair should not be expected to do any heavy housework. Full list of suitable au pair duties can be found here.
An au pair should be treated as a member of the family, more as a "big sister" than an employee. The host family should introduce the au pair to the surrounding area and tell her about activities and cultural events. It is important for the au pair not only to be happy living with your family but to also have a social life outside of your home. Every effort should also be made to enable the au pair to attend a language course. The host family is not required to pay for the course although many families choose to contribute towards it. Some buy their au pair a train/bus pass or a phone card.
Please note that au pairs are not qualified in childcare and many of them have very little childcare
experience. It is recommended that au pairs not have sole charge of children under three years of age.
Thus, an au pair is the best solution for your family if you have school age children or if you are a
stay-at-home mother or father.
The pocket money an au pair receives varies in different countries depending on working hours and duties. Many au pairs are willing to do extra babysitting or housework for an hourly rate but cannot be expected to do so. Please read detailed information regarding your country here. Au pairs should have all public holidays off and receive one week paid holiday after every six months worked. The minimum length of placement for our au pairs is six months although most families and au pairs prefer a placement for 12 months.
An au pair plus has the same duties as an au pair but works longer hours, 35-40 hours a week, for higher pocket money.