An au pair is a single person who comes here to learn English and lives as part of an English-speaking family. Au pairs can be expected to do a mixture of childcare and light housework, working up to 5 hours a day or 25 hours per week. An Au pair plus can work up to 35 hours. At present we are concentrating on finding au pairs in the UK. At the moment the rules have changed to bring them into England to work. Au pairs should have free time should be given daily for study or to pursue personal interests, and they must have two days a week completely free. Au pairs may be asked to work every Saturday evening, two evenings per week (one to include the weekend). As an au pair plus, you may be asked to work up to three evenings a week (one to include the weekend). This information is based on Home Office Regulations regarding au pairs.
If there is additional work during school holidays, this should be made clear at the time of making the offer and reasonable additional pocket money can be expected in return for this.
Au pairs are not trained nannies, and they should not be left in sole charge of babies for long periods. Au pairs should not be given sole charge of children under two.
During free time, the au pair should be made to feel welcome as a member of the family. Usually, once they have found their feet they will want to be with their own friends during their free time. Whilst an au pair should not be treated like a child, and needs independence like any young adult, initially they may need more looking after to avoid feeling isolated and uncomfortable.