Helping to take care of the host family's children is one of the main responsibilities of an au pair. Au pairs typically are expected to play with and occupy the children, to help them with their homework and to take them to school, kindergarten or to their other activities.
In addition, the au pair assists the family with light housework. During the au pair stay, the host family children get to know the au pair's culture and language. However, au pairs should not be considered as specialised language teachers.
Depending on the age of the children, the au pair can also be asked to help them with tidying up their bedrooms. Washing the children's clothes and preparing simple meals are also part of the au pair job. In addition, the au pair may be asked to babysit once or twice a week. Babysitting, however, forms part of the working hours of the au pair.
The au pair and host family should discuss the au pair's duties together before the au pair placement starts. The tasks and duties of the au pair can then be written down in a schedule.