Au Pair Job Functions
Over the years many people have asked us what is an Au Pair and what would a typical Au Pair Job Function entail? Our response to this is…
In essence we believe an Au Pair is primarily there to look after the children and be the responsible adult while the parents are not present. An Au Pair is there to foster relationships with the children she looks after and most importantly to provide a safe and loving environment where the children feel secure and where life is as predictable as possible, being governed by routine and structure.
In terms of an Au Pair’s job function “a day in the life of an Au Pair” can include, but is not limited to:
Au Pair Roles and Responsibilities (in South Africa):
- attends to all levels of infant, baby and toddler care and activities
- assists with homework, school projects, assignments, speeches, revision for tests and exams etc.
- transports children around to extra murals, playdates, medical appointments etc.
- organises lunchboxes and snacks
- cooks meals for the children and sometimes the family dinner
- assists the children with packing their school bags for the next day
- ensures the children are prepared for the following day
- assists with the children’s bath time routine
- does babysitting in the evenings and sometimes works on weekends when needed
- liaises with teachers, doctors, therapists etc. and reports back to the parents
- proactively communicates and updates the parents in terms of the children in their care
- travels with the family when needed (salary dependent)
- runs a household (salary dependent)
- runs errands such as grocery shopping, purchasing birthday presents etc. (salary dependent)
- does administration tasks in the home / home-office / office (salary dependent)
- works in December until around the 21st and returns to work around the 7th of January
The above depends largely on the family that the Au Pair is going to work for, and these job functions will vary from family to family based on their needs and home environment.
We also strongly believe that there is absolutely NO room for the following whilst on the job:
Smoking
Chatting on the phone
Texting
Checking out Social Media
Reading non-work related emails
Watching TV
Reading Magazines
Sitting on the couch watching the children play
This is, off course, our view in terms of what an Au Pair is. However if there is one thing that we have learnt over the years, it is that every family is different and every family has a unique set of requirements. It is therefore our duty to help our families find an Au Pair that matches their particular job specifications as closely as possible.
Further Recommended Au Pair Information
What is an Au Pair?
Au Pair Services
Au Pair Job Functions
Au Pair Salaries
Au Pair Petrol
AA Rates Calculator
Permanent Au Pairs
Temporary Au Pairs
Au Pair Training
Au Pair Agencies
Au Pair FAQs
Au Pair Jobs
