An au pair is a young adult who lives with a host family to provide childcare. They usually come from another country, but can also be local citizens. In exchange for their services, they receive room and board as well as some pocket money. This arrangement has become increasingly popular over the years due to its flexibility and affordability.
Duties and Responsibilities of an Au Pair
To performing various duties around the home, au pairs must understand their responsibilities towards both themselves and those they are caring for. Here are some of basic duties and responsibilities of Au Pair.
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Daily play and Child care
An Au Pair is a young adult who provides daily play and child care for families. They typically live with the family they are working for, providing them with an extra pair of hands to help out around the house.
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Tutoring for Homework
While an au pair is not tasked with educating kids, they should be willing to encourage them in understanding their academic material and in completing their assignments.
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Grocery store Visits
One would anticipate that an au pair will assist with supermarket shopping. This does not entail carrying out the larger weekly grocery shop, but rather extra assistance with smaller shopping errands.
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Preparing Dinner
Cooking meals and preparing snacks for the host family’s children is one of an au pair’s most frequent responsibilities. It is best to enquire upfront about any dietary limitations or preferences, such as whether the person has a gluten allergy and how they feel about eating meat and vegetables.
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Clean-up and Laundry
This is a crucial aspect of being an au pair since it keeps the family running smoothly and orderly. For instance, this can involve loading and unloading the dishwasher or washing the kids’ laundry.
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School drop-offs and Pick-ups
It is possible to request an au pair to pick up and drop off children at school. This must be discussed up front, that the au pair is familiar with the area’s public transportation options and routes, walking and biking routes, or even has a valid driver’s license and is a capable driver if private transportation is needed. The au pair should also have permission and insurance to use the host family’s car for this purpose.
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Become involved in Family Activities
The host family may expect an au pair to join them on outings or other planned activities during the weekends or during vacations as they are only a temporary member of the family.
- Babysitting services during date nights or when working parents are away:
- An au pair must comprehend what is expected of them in this situation:
- Putting the kids’ laundry and ironing clothes:
- Assisting the host children with personal care (brushing teeth, changing diapers, etc.)
- Minimal shopping:
- Dishwasher loading and unloading:
- Creating school lunches:
- Dressing and bathing the kids:
- Having fun with the kids while educating them about your culture:
- Visiting parks, playgroups, and other places with the kids:
Conclusion
Au pairing provides great opportunities for young adults looking for flexible working arrangements while gaining valuable experience abroad (or locally).
See Also: Au Pair in Thailand
It requires dedication and responsibility on behalf of both parties involved – hosts must ensure that expectations are communicated upfront so there is no confusion later down the line whilst au pairs should make sure they understand what will be expected from them before agreeing terms with potential employers.
