Hours and Free Time

How Much Do Au Pairs Work? Your Schedule, Time Off & Holidays Explained

In most countries, Au Pairs will work up to 25 or 30 hours per week and will have two days off per week. Au Pairs should not work full-time hours on any given day, but the hours should be divided quite evenly over the five days in the week.

The total hours include any evening babysitting. There is no requirement to do extra babysitting. You may, however, agree with the family that you will do some extra babysitting for an extra payment.

Au Pairs cannot be in charge of the children overnight when the parents are away from the home and they also cannot be required to have responsibility for the children at night when the parents are at home.

An Au Pair’s working day can be divided into a maximum of 2 portions. It is very common for Au Pairs to work 1-2 hours in the morning, getting children ready for nursery or school and then 3-4 hours in the afternoon after the children return from nursery or school.

The two days off are not necessarily on the weekend. However, the family should allow the Au Pair at least one full weekend off per month.

As an Au Pair, you will receive paid holidays according to the employment law of the host country, typically four weeks per year plus public holidays.

The host family must provide you with sufficient time off to attend language classes.