What does an Au Pair do?
Published 4 min read
An Au Pair is a live-in childcare provider who typically comes from another country to work for a family. An Au Pair typically works for a family for one year, and provides childcare for the children in the family.
Au Pair job duties include:
- Caring for children including feeding, bathing, and dressing
- Planning and supervising fun activities and outings
- Helping with homework and school projects
- Light housekeeping duties related to the children such as laundry, tidying up toys, etc.
- Preparing healthy meals for the children
- Driving the children to appointments and activities
- Providing a safe and loving environment for the children
- Communicating with the parents about the children's daily activities and progress
- Documenting daily activities in a journal or online
Au Pair Job Requirements
Most Au Pairs are college-educated women between the ages of 18 and 26. They must be fluent in English, and many families prefer Au Pairs who speak a second language. Although not required, many Au Pairs have previous experience working with children in some capacity, such as babysitting or nannying. Au Pairs must also complete a certification program that includes first aid and CPR training.
Au Pair Skills
- Patience
- Creativity
- Active
- Good with children
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Organized
- Time management
- Driving
- Flexible
- Bilingual
Related: Top Au Pair Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become an Au Pair
An au pair is a live-in child care provider who typically comes from another country. Au pairs typically live with a host family and provide child care in exchange for room, board, and a small stipend. If you love children and enjoy working with them, becoming an au pair can be a great way to experience life in another country while also earning some money. Here are a few tips on how to become an au pair:
1. Do your research. Au pairs typically come from Europe, Australia, or New Zealand, so if you’re not from one of those countries, you’ll need to do some extra research to find out the requirements for coming to your desired country as an au pair.
2. Find a reputable program. Once you know which country you’d like to au pair in, look for a reputable program that can help connect you with a host family. Be sure to read reviews and ask around to get recommendations.
3. Get your paperwork in order. You’ll need to have a valid passport and likely obtain a visa as well. The requirements will vary depending on your country of origin and the country you’re going to, so be sure to get all the necessary paperwork in order before applying to be an au pair.
4. Be prepared for interviews. When applying to be an au pair, you will likely go through multiple interviews – both with potential host families and with the program staff. Be prepared to answer questions about your child care experience, why you want to be an au pair, and what kind of person you are.
5. Be flexible and open-minded. As an au pair, you’ll be living in someone else’s home and caring for their children, so it’s important that you are flexible and open-minded. Be prepared to adjust to different living arrangements and parenting styles, and be willing to compromise when needed.
Related: Au Pair Resume Example