Au Pair Jobs

Jobs for Au Pairs

Au Pair jobs vary from full-time to part-time, are mostly live in positions, but can be live out. They can be sole charge which is when both parents are at work or may be a helping hand position for a non working mother.

EU citizens can do any sort of job in the UK and so can come and live with a family as an au pair and work for 25 or more hours a week.

To qualify for the UK Au Pair program the applicant must be between the ages of 17 & 27 however non EU residents the maximum employment term / stay is 2 years.

Hours of Work

Au Pairs from non EEC countries can work a maximum of 25 hours per week or 5 hours per day with 2 full days off per week.

Au Pairs from EEC countries can work a maximum of 40 hours per week or 8 hours per day with 1½ or 2 full days off per week.

An Au Pair should be given one whole weekend off in four.

Au Pairs must not be asked to work more than their maximum allowable hours and they must be given at least 2 days a week completely free.

Holidays: Au pairs may want to go home for Christmas and the new year, however it should be noted that after 6 months employment, holiday leave is paid, but not before.

Salary

The UK government’s minimum wage does not apply to anyone who is living in the family / employers home and receiving free board and lodging.

The salary for a standard Au pair is around £70 pocket money per week. Included in this is their room and food, hours expected for this is 25 hours per week or 5 hours per day, 5 days a week and babysit for up to two evenings per week.

The salary for an "Au pair plus"  (UK only) , is £70 pocket money per week for first 25 hours and then £3 per additional hour. They can do 26 and 40 hours per week, 1½ or 2 days off per week and babysit for up to two evenings per week.

Language Requirement

The main difference between the work of an au pair and a nanny is that au pairs are required to learn the language of the host country they are staying in by attending language classes at least once a week.

Duties

Typical daily duties with the children may be:

  • waking children up, getting them ready for school.
  • driving the children to and from school/activities.
  • cooking simple meals for the children.
  • tidying children's rooms, putting toys away.
  • playing with the games children.

Typical daily household duties may be:

  • Tidying, washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen.
  • Tidying the house, dusting and vacuuming.
  • organising activities.
  • Washing and / or ironing.

Other possible duties may be:

  • babysitting.
  • food shopping.
  • cooking simple meals for the children.
  • running other errands.
  • looking after pets.
  • gardening.

Not all countries in the world have an official Au Pair programme, although that doesn't mean that you cannot go as an Au Pair to these countries. On the whole there is less chance of this as not many families in those countries would be looking for Au Pairs and would probably not even know the meaning of Au Pair.

Au pair applicants should register for FREE with Totally Childcare to find our current list of jobs and answer adverts posted by families in need of an Au pair. We also offer access to jobs advertised by a number of "Au pair agency" job advertisers.