Your Au Pair's Schedule

Hours & Benefits

Weekly Schedule

One of the biggest advantages of Au Pair USA’s program is its flexibility. You and your au pair are free to work out a customized child care schedule that meets your needs. Your au pair may work up to 45 hours per week and up to 10 hours per day.

To make sure we can set your au pair's expectations about the kind of hours she or he will work, we ask you to submit a sample schedule with your host family application. Once you’re matched with an au pair, you’ll you will be able to submit a finalized schedule.

Here’s an example of a weekly schedule:

  MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING
MONDAY

Make breakfast for kids, take Britney to school, go on a play date with Ryan

Make lunch, put Ryan down for a nap, pick up Britney from school, help Britney with homework

Dinner with the family, go to Journalism class at the Community College
TUESDAY

Make breakfast for kids, take Britney to school, take Ryan to Tiny Tots

Make lunch, put Ryan down for a nap, pick up Britney and take her to soccer practice

Dinner with the family, do homework for Journalism class
WEDNESDAY

Make breakfast, take Britney to school, take Ryan to the baby gym

Make lunch, put Ryan down for a nap, pick up Britney and then take the kids to the park

Dinner, go to a cluster meeting at Starbucks

THURSDAY

Make breakfast, take Britney to school, read and play with Ryan

Make lunch, put Ryan down for a nap, pick up Britney, take the kids to the library for story time

Dinner with the family, go to the movies with some friends from school

FRIDAY

Make breakfast, take Britney to school, color with Ryan

FREE TIME
Go to the gym

FREE TIME
Meet with au pair friends and go to a concert downtown

 

Time Off

Your au pair also earns days off and vacation time while working for your family, including:

  • One-and-a-half days off per week (preferably at least one weekend day)
  • One full weekend off per month
  • One day of vacation time, accrued each month after the first month of service.

Because your au pair lives with you, the lines between off-duty and on-duty times can become blurry. It’s very important to clearly articulate your schedule—and to write it down at least a week in advance, so that your au pair can plan educational and social activities. It’s also crucial to respect your au pair’s time off and not impinge on it. 

Classes & Cluster Meetings  

Your au pair is required to participate in monthly cluster meetings and activities organized by your local coordinator. She or he also must fulfill a U.S. Department of State-mandated educational requirement, completing at least 6 credit hours at a community college, college or university.

Your child care schedule must allow time for the au pair to attend all cluster meetings and activities, as well as her or his classes.