What is an Au Pair?

What can they assist with?

Au Pairs are primarily there to assist with child care and childcare related duties. Breakfast, clearing up, kids lunch boxes, school/kindy drop of and pick up, bath time, taking to the park, art, craft and playing with the children are typical Au Pair tasks. It is fine to ask them to cook and iron. You can also expect the Au Pair to assist with some other duties such as laundry, tidying, dusting, groceries, errands, and vacuuming etc.

Au Pairs shouldn't be expected to undertake heavy household duties. Au Pairs are not to be confused with housekeepers or cleaners and we recommend that all families employ separate cleaning help. Generally the family’s expectations should be outlined in clear detail to the Au Pair when in contact and before an offer is made to join the family; phrases such as “light housekeeping” are often open to misinterpretation and therefore, misunderstandings.

Hosting an international Au-Pair has many benefits. The children are cared for in their own environment and care can be centred around the children’s needs. Care is more flexible, for instance, many families find that around the "rush" hour of mealtime and bath time, an extra pair of hands is very helpful.  Another advantage is that parents get to reconnect making good use of evening babysitting.  Hosting an overseas Au-Pair will provide a unique opportunity for your children to learn facets of another language and culture which can be immensely rewarding.

While Au Pairs are extremely capable they should not be confused with Nannies as they do not have any formal training or childcare qualifications and are aged between 18 and 30 years of age.  To search for your next Au Pair view a list of our available Au Pairs here.