The Cambridge dictionary describes an Au Pair as “a foreign person, usually a young woman, who lives with a family and looks after their children or cleans the house in return for meals, a room, and a small payment”. This definition omits the fact that an Au Pair will almost become a member of the hosting family. After a few months living and working with a given family, the Au Pair will normally develop a life-long friendship with the parents and, especially, with the kids.
The Au Pair is not considered as a servant but as an equal to the hosting family members, a sort of long term guest with obligations and tasks to carry out. An Au Pair is a member of a family and should be treated as such.
Use an au pair agency
By registering with an au pair agency you will get the credibility that potential employers are looking for, and you should have access to the agency for assistance and recourse in the event of a problem. The agency will require an interview and your CV and references, and possibly a medical certificate, and you will have to sign an agreement with them regarding the agency fees applicable – read it before signing!
Take the time to find a family that suits you. The fewer children the better, and make sure that you have access to transport so that you not stuck in the house all the time. You should ideally have your own room to stay in.
Once you have chosen an au pairing job get written confirmation from the agency or family of the hours of work, the exact duties for which you are responsible, the terms of pay and the frequency and manner of payment, and the duties for which you are not responsible. You should not be solely responsible for the supervision of a baby, and you should ensure you have the relevant license and insurance if you are going to be responsible for driving children around in a car or taking them out of the property. Try to get the contact details of any other au pairs in the area from the agency, as they will be a useful source of advice and friendship.
Suitable tasks:
- Anything regarding the children
- Hoovering
- Sweeping the kitchen and hallway floors
- Preparing children’s meals
- Clearing the kitchen after meals and removing any spillages.
- Cleaning the baths, basins and mirrors in both her and the children’s bathrooms.
- Children’s laundry and ironing (this may include a few adult items, but not the entire adult laundry)
- Putting away children’s clothing in cupboards
- Tidying the children’s room and playroom as well as her own
- Changing the children’s beds
- Emptying the bins around the house
- Emptying the dishwasher
- Walking the dogs
- Light shopping (not weekly shopping)
- Help in preparing family meals and private dinner parties if the Au Pair herself is invited.
Unsuitable tasks:
- Anything regarding adults, such as cleaning up after them or very personal tasks such as putting away clothes, washing underwear, etc.
- Spring cleaning
- Changing parents’ beds
- Cleaning household appliances thoroughly, such as fridges, ovens, freezers and microwaves
- Cleaning parents’ room and private bathroom
- Cleaning windows
- Dusting and cleaning skirting boards
- Cleaning outside the house
- Watering the garden
- Taking clothes to drycleaner
- Washing the car
- Preparing dinner parties if she’s not invited.
- Polishing silverware and brass, etc.
An Au Pair is there to help a family only, and should not be in charge of a household.
Select a country to get more specific information and suggested links concerning working and earning an income from being an Au Pair:
UK and Europe USA and Canada
Australia and New Zealand Asia
Central and South America Rest of Africa
