Responsibilities of an Au Pair

What the host family expects

Chinese parents love and care for their children, investing in their education, happiness, and development. As an Au Pair, you play a vital role in the host family, serving as a teacher, playmate, and role model. Your primary focus is to improve their language skills through tutoring and engaging conversations. The host family expects you to educate and add value to the children's lives, creating a fulfilling intercultural experience.

Cultural exchange is a key part of the program, allowing you to share your own culture while also experiencing China's and the host family's culture. Initially, there may be challenges as the children adapt to someone new, but as you become more familiar with each other the relationship will strengthen.

What you can expect

Hours

5-6 hours each day on the days of your contract agreement with the family, no more than 30 hours a week.

Language mentoring & childcare

Families seek Au Pairs to provide their children with a foreign language environment and enrich their cultural education. One of the best aspects of this program is the meaningful relationships that our Au Pairs develop with their host children. You could be the one receiving a warm hug in the morning or witnessing their major milestones, like taking their first steps or learning to ride a bike. These moments are truly special, making your time as an Au Pair both memorable and rewarding. Not only will you witness their improvement with English, but you will also be able to enhance your own Chinese language proficiency. Your responsibilities may include playing with the children, assisting with school drop-offs and pickups, and preparing snacks for them.

Integrate with the family

The entire program is financially supported by the host family, and it's a wonderful opportunity for you to show your kindness and generosity to them. It's crucial to demonstrate your commitment to taking good care of their children by spending quality time with the children every day. Whether it's fully engaging in playtime, assisting with homework, or participating in various activities, giving them your undivided attention is important. Planning enjoyable activities, such as baking a cake, drawing, watching cartoons, reading, playing outdoors, cycling, or visiting the park, will create memorable experiences for the child. By consistently having fun and bonding, you'll naturally develop a close and lasting friendship with the children. We also ask that you avoid making personal phone calls or emailing friends when you're alone with the children. They may interpret it as a lack of interest, potentially leading to negative behavior.

Household duties

As a member of the host family, you'll be embraced as part of the household. While light housework may be required, specific expectations vary among families. You are not obligated to handle all the household chores, but it is important to keep your own room clean and tidy. Additionally, ensuring that shared facilities, especially the kitchen and bathroom, are clean after use is essential. If possible, taking care of some basic household duties, such as making beds for the children and helping them clean up would be greatly appreciated. It's worth noting that some families may already have a nanny or maid to handle all the housework.

Share your culture

It's always wonderful and considerate to share something unique from your country. You can prepare items before your trip that showcase and enlighten others about your country, such as stories about your high school or university, historical facts, sports, or holidays. Additionally, bringing along educational toys like chess or storybooks can be excellent choices to foster a stronger bond and connection.