Duties: An au pair must be prepared to help with the host family's young children and with general light housework for up to 5 hours per day, or a maximum of 25 hours per week.  In addition, two evenings baby-sitting per week would be reasonable.  [An Au Pair Plus can work up to 35 hours per week, with one day off.]

Generally, duties will include:

  • Helping to dress children in the morning for school;

  • Making simple meals for the children;

  • Walking, or in certain circumstances, driving the children to school;

  • Performing light household chores during the day;

  • Collecting the children from school;

  • Changing the children from their school clothes into play clothes;

  • Playing with the children or supervising them whilst playing (although parents should be reminded that au pairs do not normally have the qualifications required for long-term supervision of children).

During the school holidays, an au pair may be asked to look after the children for more hours when the parents/guardians are working.  Extra pocket money should be paid to compensate for the extra hours worked.

 

Driving: If the family needs an au pair who can drive, this must be specified on the family registration form.  It is normal for the family to provide the au pair with one or two driving lessons should they feel apprehensive about driving on the opposite side.  The family must insure the vehicle to be used by the au pair, and provide fuel for "on-duty" driving.

 
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