An au pair provides childcare and light household support for a family, usually working set hours around the school day. In South Africa the role is most often a part-time arrangement where a student or young adult collects children from school, supervises homework and manages the afternoon routine.
This guide sets out au pair duties and responsibilities, the shape of a typical day, and where the boundaries of the role sit. It sits within the wider job duties guide.
What Does an Au Pair Do?
An au pair looks after children in the family home: collecting them from school, feeding them, supervising homework, driving them to activities and keeping them safe and occupied until a parent is available.
The role usually includes light household tasks connected to the children, such as tidying their rooms, preparing their meals and washing their laundry. It does not ordinarily extend to general domestic work for the whole household, and that distinction is worth agreeing in writing before starting.
Key Au Pair Duties and Responsibilities
- Collecting children from school and transporting them to activities safely.
- Supervising children at home and keeping them safe at all times.
- Preparing and serving meals and snacks for the children.
- Supervising and assisting with homework and school projects.
- Managing the afternoon routine, including bath and bedtime where required.
- Organising age-appropriate play, reading and activities.
- Tidying children’s rooms and play areas, and managing their laundry.
- Keeping parents informed about the day, school notes and any concerns.
- Administering medication only where a parent has given clear written instructions.
- Responding appropriately to illness, injury or emergency and contacting parents.
- Maintaining household rules on screen time, discipline and diet as set by the parents.
- Respecting the family’s privacy and keeping household matters confidential.
Daily Tasks of an Au Pair
- Early afternoon: arrive, check messages from the parents, prepare for the school run.
- School collection: collect the children on time and check school bags for notes.
- Afternoon: lunch or snacks, homework supervision, then transport to sport or extramurals.
- Late afternoon: play or quiet time, tidy up, prepare supper if that is part of the arrangement.
- Handover: brief the parent on the day, homework status and anything the school sent.
Au Pair Skills and Competencies
- Reliability: children must be collected on time, every time.
- Safe driving: a valid licence and a careful record, since transporting children is central.
- Patience: homework and routines with tired children require a steady temperament.
- First aid awareness: knowing what to do and who to call in an emergency.
- Consistency with parents: applying the household’s rules rather than your own.
- Discretion: working inside a family home and keeping what you see private.
Au Pair Duties by Workplace or Industry
After-School Au Pairing
The most common South African arrangement: roughly midday to early evening, centred on the school run, homework, extramurals and the afternoon routine.
Full-Day and Pre-School Care
With younger children not yet at school, duties shift to full-day care: feeding, naps, developmental play and routine, with far more time spent in the home.
Live-In Arrangements
Where accommodation forms part of the arrangement, the boundary between working hours and living in the home needs to be defined explicitly, including evenings, weekends and time off.
Special Needs Support
Caring for a child with additional needs adds specific routines, therapies and communication requirements, and should come with proper briefing, training and written instructions from the parents.
Au Pair Duties for a CV
Give the number and ages of children, the hours and whether you drove. Use the duties for a CV guide for the method.
- Cared for three children aged 4, 7 and 10 five afternoons a week, including school collection and extramural transport.
- Supervised daily homework and reading, liaising with parents on school feedback and progress.
- Prepared meals, managed the afternoon routine and maintained household rules set by the parents.
- Held a valid driver’s licence and a clean record over three years of daily school runs.
Related Job Roles and Responsibilities
These guides cover the roles and next steps most closely related to this one.
- Caregiver duties and responsibilities
- Domestic Worker duties and responsibilities
- Education Assistant duties and responsibilities
- Tutor duties and responsibilities
- Job description duties and responsibilities
Frequently Asked Questions About Au Pair Duties
What are the duties of an au pair?
Collecting children from school, supervising them safely, preparing their meals, helping with homework, transporting them to activities, managing the afternoon routine, tidying their areas and laundry, and keeping parents informed about the day.
Is an au pair the same as a domestic worker?
No. An au pair’s role centres on childcare with light tasks connected to the children. A domestic worker’s role centres on the household: cleaning, laundry, ironing and often cooking for the family. Combining both should be agreed explicitly and reflected in the pay and hours.
Do au pairs need a qualification?
Usually not a formal one. Families typically look for a valid driver’s licence, a clean record, references, first aid awareness and experience with children of a similar age. Some agencies add their own screening requirements.
Should an au pair have a written agreement?
Yes. A short written agreement setting out hours, duties, pay, use of a vehicle, leave and notice avoids most of the disputes that arise in this role, particularly around household tasks that were never discussed. Employment conditions in South Africa are regulated, so both sides benefit from clarity.
Duties vary by family and arrangement. The written agreement between the au pair and the family, and the applicable conditions of employment, take precedence over this general guide.
Last reviewed: 2 September 2026