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How does an Au Pair schedule look like?

Creating a detailed working schedule for the Au Pair is one of the key factors of a successful Au Pair stay. An Au Pair schedule usually includes a mix of childcare duties and light housework spread across the week, with clear start and end times each day. Typical tasks might involve getting the children ready for school, tidying their rooms, helping with meals, and babysitting in the evenings. The exact schedule depends on the family's needs, but it should always be discussed and agreed upon in advance, including time for the Au Pair to attend a language course. These details should also be written into the contract.

In this article, you will find all key factors that need to be discussed by the Host Family and the Au Pair before planning their weekly schedule, as well as an Au Pair schedule template, which can give you an idea on how to structure yours!

Having a schedule is definitely important for a successful Au Pair experience. Organizing and respecting each other’s time is essential to prevent possible future problems and set a routine.

The weekly working routine and the daily tasks should be discussed during the first interview-call between an Au Pair and a Host Family. It is also important to include the working hours and the duties in the Au Pair contract. At AuPair.com we also recommend describing the future schedule in detail.

Au Pair salary and working hours
Depending on the host country the Au Pair is supposed to work a certain number of hours and receive a sum of pocket money. Learn more

What should Host Families and Au Pairs discuss about?

Describe the tasks that need to be done
Explain the daily plan and babysittings. Although the Au Pair Program requires flexibility, it is always better to plan, at least a week in advance. This way both the Au Pair the and Family can organise their free time around the work schedule.
Define your expectations: the Host family should be clear about what they require in terms of childcare and light housework, so that the Au Pair understands from the beginning what is expected of her/him.
Be specific when writing down the Au Pair duties in the contract. For example, something like “put the children’s toys back into the boxes, fold clothes that are lying around and put them back into the cupboard, on Fridays additional vacuuming”, which is much more specific than just “cleaning the kids’ room”, will leave no space for misunderstandings.
Clarify when the Au Pair will normally have free time and which family activities you would like him/her to take part in.
Explain when the Au Pair will have time to attend a language course.
Mention the working hours of both Host Parents.

Typical working schedule for an Au Pair

A standard working schedule for an Au Pair shows the detailed plan for the week, specifying day by day what the duties of the Au Pair will be.

A sample Au Pair schedule for one day will look something like this:

Time	Tasks
7am	Wake up kids Prepare breakfast Brush teeth Get them dressed
8am	Drop the kids off at school
Morning	Tidy up the kitchen Load the dishwasher Tidy up the kids´rooms (put toys back in the boxes, make their beds, fold clothes and put them back in the wardrobe) Food shop for dinner Language course
3pm	Pick the kids up from school
4pm	Take Anna to swimming lesson
5pm	Pick up Anna from swimming lesson
6pm	Dinner Tidy up the kitchen Load/unload the dishwasher
7pm	Put the kids to bed

Remember that this is just an example of Au Pair schedule, every Host Family has different needs and can adjust the schedule according to them. Discuss in advance what is required from the Au Pair, so that she knows what the routine in the house is like and can conduct her duties accordingly.
Free Registration as Candidate

As a Host Family, make sure that the Au Pair understands what is expected of her/him and agrees with it. Do not forget that it is always important to communicate to avoid future complications.
Free Registration as Family

Can an Au Pair have a second job?: It depends. If the Au Pair is an EU citizen and is staying within the EU, then he/she can have another job. For the rest of the cases, it depends on the visa the Au Pair holds, the amount of hours she already works and the specific labour laws of the Host Country.

Can Au Pairs work more than 45 hours?: No. Every country has its own regulations for how many hours/week the Au Pair is allowed to work, and they correspond to a specific monthly pocket money. In some countries, like the USA, this includes extra babysitting hours. In other Host Countries it depends on the agreement between Au Pair and Host Family.

My Au Pair stay went wrong! Can you help me?: We always recommend to have an honest conversation with your Host Family about the problems occurred and find a solution together. Most of the troubles can be solved through communication and feedback! If you can’t find a way out, you can consider contract termination. We recommend you to respect the notice period that is mentioned in your Au Pair contract. During this time both you and your Host Family can find an alternative solution. E.g. you can reactivate your profile at AuPair.com and try to find another Host Family. Be supportive to each other in any case. AuPair.com can’t help you personally in this case as we are an online matching agency with no external offices in the host countries.

We can’t get along with our new Au Pair. What should we do?: Try to speak honestly with your Au Pair about the problems occurred and find a solution together. Most of the troubles can be solved through feedback and conversation! If the case is too serious and you can’t find a way out, you can terminate the contract. Don’t forget about the notice period that is mentioned in your Au Pair contract. During this time both sides can find a solution to the problem. Try to be supportive of each other in such cases.