Au Pairs at Little Sunshines Agency
At Little Sunshines Au Pair Agency we are able to assist your family with placing experienced, reliable, dedicated and responsible au pairs who are able to commit. We assist with au pairs being placed in South Africa – Gauteng, Western Cape & Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Over the years many people have asked us what is an Au Pair and what would their roles and responsibilities be? Our response to this is…
What is an Au Pair:
Au Pairs (in South Africa) are considered someone who:
- has a valid drivers license
- has their own roadworthy vehicle
- is computer literate
- does not wear a uniform
- does not do any traditional domestic worker duties
- does not generally live-in, though some do in suitably provided accommodation
- has passed Grade 12 (at our agency it is compulsory for a candidate to have PASSED Grade 12)
- sometimes has done a first aid course (at our agency it is compulsory for a candidate to do one)
- sometimes has completed a childcare course(s)
- sometimes is studying towards a degree / diploma (salary dependent)
- sometimes has a degree (salary dependent)
- is generally between the ages of 20 to 45 (some are older)
- is primarily there to look after and care for the children in the home
- primarily works with babies, toddlers, children and teenagers
- is well-versed in managing routine and structure
- is able to stimulate the children on a mental and physical level
- is able to tend to the overall emotional, developmental and psychological well-being of the children
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 works for, and the roles and responsibilities will vary from family to family based on the family’s needs and home environment as well as affordability and the salary the family has on offer.
Au Pair Salary Guidelines
JUNIOR Level Au Pairs:
-Generally 18 to 20 years old
-Less than 1 year Experience or None
MORNINGS ONLY Salary:
3 Hours (15 per week) – R7000
4 Hours (20 per week) – R8000
5 Hours (25 per week) – R8500
6 Hours (30 per week) – R10 000
7 Hours (35 per week) – R12 000
*Candidate needs to leave by 13:00 LATEST
AFTERNOONS ONLY Salary (peak hours):
3 Hours (15 per week) – R7500
4 Hours (20 per week) – R8500
5 Hours (25 per week) – R9500
6 Hours (30 per week) – R11 000
7 Hours (35 per week) – R12 000
NB – Add an additional R2000 if they need to do the MORNING school drop off
FULL DAY Salary:
8 Hours (40 per week) – R14 000
9 Hours (45 per week) – R15 000
10 Hours (50 per week) – R16 000
11 Hours (55 per week) – R17 000
12 Hours (60 per week) – R18 000
More than 12 Hours – R20 000
MEDIUM Level Au Pairs:
-Generally 21 to 24 years old
-Generally 2 to 4 years of experience
-Generally studying towards a Degree or might have a degree
MORNINGS ONLY Salary:
3 Hours (15 per week) – R8000
4 Hours (20 per week) – R9000
5 Hours (25 per week) – R10 500
6 Hours (30 per week) – R12 000
7 Hours (35 per week) – R14 000
*Candidate needs to leave by 13:00 LATEST
AFTERNOONS ONLY Salary (peak hours):
3 Hours (15 per week) – R9000
4 Hours (20 per week) – R10 000
5 Hours (25 per week) – R12 000
6 Hours (30 per week) – R13 500
7 Hours (35 per week) – R14 000
NB – Add an additional R2000 if they need to do the MORNING school drop off
FULL DAY Salary:
8 Hours (40 per week) – R16 000
9 Hours (45 per week) – R17 000
10 Hours (50 per week) – R19 000
11 Hours (55 per week) – R20 000
12 Hours (60 per week) – R21 000
More than 12 Hours – R23 000
SENIOR Level Au Pairs:
-Generally 25 to 35 years old
-5 years of experience or MORE
-Generally holds a Degree
MORNINGS ONLY Salary:
3 Hours (15 per week) – R9000
4 Hours (20 per week) – R10 000
5 Hours (25 per week) – R11 500
6 Hours (30 per week) – R13 000
7 Hours (35 per week) – R15 000
*Candidate needs to leave by 13:00 LATEST
AFTERNOONS ONLY Salary (peak hours):
3 Hours (15 per week) – R10 000
4 Hours (20 per week) – R11 000
5 Hours (25 per week) – R13 000
6 Hours (30 per week) – R14 500
7 Hours (35 per week) – R15 000
NB – Add an additional R2000 if they need to do the MORNING school drop off
FULL DAY Salary:
8 Hours (40 per week) – R17 000
9 Hours (45 per week) – R18 000
10 Hours (50 per week) – R20 000
11 Hours (55 per week) – R21 000
12 Hours (60 per week) – R22 000
More than 12 Hours – R24 000
GOVERNESS (Au Pair & Personal Assistant):
-Generally 28 to 50 years old
-5 years of experience or MORE
-Holds a Degree
-Top Notch!
Full Day – R25 000 per month to R35 000 per month
**Many high-profile families, who are unable to be with their children due to their careers etc., employ governesses because they know their children and their household will be in the care of the very best that this industry can provide**
Please Note:
Salaries are based on their work experience, their special needs experience, their qualifications, the areas they are expected to live close to etc. The above is a good, market-related salary guideline for a reliable, mature, level-headed Au Pair, who remains with a family and who is dedicated and committed to fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.
Petrol & Reimbursement:
- Petrol reimbursement for travelling done during work is at SARS Rates per km travelled and would be in addition to the salary
- Families do NOT pay for petrol to and from work, that is for the Employee’s account.
- If you are providing a vehicle for the candidate to use during working hours then you would not have to reimburse the candidate per km travelled.
Little Sunshines likes to think that an Au Pair is there to provide your children with the stimulation, fun, care and security that you the parent provide when you are with them. No one would ever be able to replace the role that a parent plays, however during the parent’s absence we believe it is vital that the child is properly cared for by a person that both the parents and the child feel comfortable and confident with.
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.
This is, of 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 and family dynamics as closely as possible.
