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Sometimes host families are confused about the things au pairs can do.  As requested by a host family, I am posting this information from the APIA website Au Pair responsibilities.  Please note these responsibilities are CHILDCARE related only.  The au pair is also responsible for cleaning up after herself and helping as a family member when eating or traveling with the family.  Au Pairs should remember they are role models to the children in their care.  Good hygiene and keeping your room clean is expected.

Child care is a meaningful way for an international visitor to get insight into American life.

The au pair’s responsibilities may include:

  • Waking the children
  • dressing infants and toddlers
  • bathing and playing with the children
  • preparing meals for the children
  • looking after the children’s belongings
  • making the children’s beds and straightening their rooms
  • doing the children’s laundry
  • cleaning up the kitchen after the children eat
  • straigtening up the playroom once playtime is over
  • driving children to and from school, appointments or outings as requested by the host family
  • an au pair on the standard or Extraordinaire programs may be home while children are absent from school due to illness or holidays

The au pair/companion’s responsibilities do not include housework unrelated to the children such as cleaning the home or doing all the laundry. They are not professionally trained child care workers or capable of running an entire household when parents are absent for business or personal travel. Responsibility for the welfare of the children always remains with the parents.

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